
The Value of Sport
Boulder Nordic & Cycle Sport Staff
Photos courtesy of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
By Dave Stewart

Dave Stewart grew up in Vermont cross-country skiing and racing and went on to ski in college for the University of Vermont and then for the Subaru Factory Team for five years. After racing, Stewart coached the cross-country team at the University of Denver from 2006-2019, winning six NCAA Championships with the team over 13 seasons (including three consecutive NCAA titles from 2008-10, coaching together with BNS's own Hennie Kashiwa!).
For the past five years, Dave has been the Athletic Director for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, overseeing the club's sport programs in alpine, snowboard, ski jumping and nordic combined, cross-country, freestyle, freeski, and mountain biking. The SSWSC serves over 1,200 athletes a year with 200+ coaches and was named 2023 Club of the Year by U.S. Ski and Snowboard.
As an athlete, coach, spouse, parent, and now administrator, I've seen our sport from many different perspectives. Over the years, my appreciation for the value of sport has continued to grow. Most of my time and energy at work now goes into ensuring that as many young athletes have a truly transformative experience through sport, learning not just how to become skilled skiers and riders but also learning the lessons that elevate all aspects of their lives. The success of the U.S. Cross Country Team over the past decade or more has been so much fun to watch, and today's athletes are literally living out our childhood dreams in ski racing and inspiring the next generation of American skiers. The impact of this success is huge and an important part of the fabric of our skiing culture. But I've come to appreciate that the true value of our sport is not ultimately tallied on the results list or in the medal count in the Olympics, but is measured in the direct benefits accrued to each person who simply participates in this sport.

I still LOVE to ski, and what is most motivating for me now is helping to make sport a positive part of kids' lives. The atmosphere under the lights after school at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat, with 500 rowdy kids skiing and riding across seven sports, all in one place with their friends, is truly magical - literally, like no place else on Earth. As these kids get older, some will compete with teammates at events around the world, and nearly all of them go on to enjoy and benefit from their sport for the rest of their lives.
One of the most impactful experiences I've had over the last few years is learning more about the value of sport in the development of young people from the work of social scientists. Their research has confirmed the value societies have placed on the role of sport in personal development throughout human history. In addition to the most obvious benefits to physical health, sports participation for young people has been proven to protect mental health, promote social connectedness and well-being, improve self-esteem, self-discipline, and resilience, develop social skills and teamwork, and enhance cognitive function and academic performance. I have experienced the potential of sport to provide a unique learning environment where kids are taught important lessons that they at first use to develop on the trail or hill, but then quickly apply in all areas of their lives. Goal-setting, performance mindset, deliberate practice, discipline, skill acquisition leading to mastery, and experiences in leadership and teamwork, for example, form a multidimensional skill set that equips them to succeed in all areas of life, whatever path they choose.
A challenge we constantly face is the cost of sport today. Paying coaches equitably and sustainably can increase program fees; snowmaking and facilities improvements drive up costs for ski areas and event hosts; travel and equipment costs continue to rise for everyone. I won't deny any of this, and we must work together to keep our sport affordable. However, given all we know about the comprehensive benefits, I believe sport offers a value that is difficult to match.

One of our coaches at SSWSC, who is also a parent of young athletes, responds to questions about the cost of sport with a great question: 'What is the cost of NOT playing sports?' By not engaging in physical activity, kids miss out on all of the essential benefits that promote their overall well-being and future success. Seen from this perspective, ski equipment becomes the simple tools that open the door to this life-long sport we love. For a young child, this means the right size gear to introduce them to the pure joy of sliding on snow. For a racer, it's the skis to tackle the next Birkie or race in skate and classic. For the older skier, it's the stable, comfortable equipment that allows them to keep skiing with friends for as many years as possible.
The investment in the right tools for the sport is an investment in wellness, joy, and health. For kids, in particular, it's a down payment on personal development through sport, an investment that is tough to match. Whether you are chasing dreams of glory on the race course, joining your local Masters training group, or looking to introduce your child to the sport for the first time, get the right tools for this season and get out there. You won't regret it.