The Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum is pleased and honored to induct nine individuals into its Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. Tickets for the reception and induction are available online at maineskiandsnowboardmuseum.org.

The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who bring distinction to Maine through competition as athletes or coaches; those who pioneered the sport, manufacturers, area builders and operators, instructors, volunteers and others who have made significant contributions to the winter sports.

The Class of 2025 includes Byron and Susan Delano of Lee, founders of Mt. Jefferson; Peter Gately, North Bridgton, ski coach at Bridgton Academy and Pleasant Mountain youth program developer; Rick Hardy, Farmington, ski racer, coach, patroller and youth program developer; Jeff Knight, Dixfield, Black Mountain general manager, groomer, mechanic and program coordinator; Laurel Lashar, Carrabassett Valley, alpine race administrator; Butch Reilly, York Harbor, winter sports apparel representative and a founder of Carrabassett Valley Academy; Matt Sabasteanski, Raymond, Nordic Program director and Winter Olympics official; Carl Theriault, Fort Kent, community leader instrumental in developing the 10th Mountain Center; and Cathy Witherspoon, Kingfield, leader of the Sunday River and Sugarloaf Snow Sports Schools.

Byron and Susan Delano

Janine Delano, Byron and Susan Delano’s daughter, said, “In the early 1960s my parents and five other couples went to several ski areas. With what they learned they decided that Mt Jefferson, in Lee, was the best place to build a ski area.

Billy Gilmore wrote in his Nomination Letter, “As Mount Jefferson, and its amenities, began to grow, Thanksgiving dinners, local gatherings, and many other social functions were held in the base lodge throughout the years, and it truly became a community gathering point for all to use over time.

Janine adds, “Dad and Mom loved the ski area. They did it for the kids and the locals. That is where they wanted to be.”

Jeff Knight

Richard Kent wrote in his Nomination Letter, “Since 1972, except for a four year stint at Mount Abrams Ski area, Jeff Knight has been a driving force and a constant presence at Black Mountain of Maine.

“He’s been our skiing community’s Swiss army knife, a tireless worker who has labored and liaised while serving as a blue collar visionary for our community’s ski area.

“During his 52 year career in the ski industry, Jeffrey Knight has served Black Mountain, formerly Chisholm Winter Park, in a variety of capacities from mountain manager to groomer mechanic to janitor.

“He’s been a trusted and tireless liaison for the mountain, to the Chisholm Ski Club, local Public School and College Racing Programs. 

Cathy Witherspoon

In her Nomination Letter, Meredith Harrop wrote, “Cathy’s leadership, mentorship, and pioneering efforts as a female leader have left an indelible mark on all who have had the pleasure of working with her in the ski industry in Maine.

“As a leader of both the Sunday River and Sugarloaf Snow Sports Schools, Cathy has focused on bringing new families and participants into the sport. Ensuring that the sport remains thriving in Maine.

“Her tireless work, combined with a passion for snow sports, has helped shape the landscape of Maine’s ski culture into what it is today.

“She is a natural mentor, always willing to offer guidance, encouragement, and wisdom to those around her, especially young women.

Peter Gately

In his Nomination Letter Dan Egan wrote, “Peter’s most important impact is shaping the young minds and work habits of athletes on and off the podium. Peter is a relatable character, his ability to earn the trust of his athletes and listen to them without judgement while motivating them has created generations of skiers who have been injected with his spirit and passion for the sport.” 

In a Letter of Support Scott Doyle wrote, “Peter is known for instilling in his athletes the values of perseverance, integrity, and sportsmanship.

“His coaching philosophy is as much about developing character as it is about skiing technique.

“He has had the lasting influence on athletes, many of whom have gone on to achieve success in both skiing and in their personal and professional lives”.

Rick Hardy

In his Nomination Letter Peter Judkins wrote, “Whether in the classroom as a long-time teacher or on the slopes as a ski racer, coach, Ski Patrol member or Program Coordinator and instructor for the Nana Webber Program, Rick has always been a teacher of others. 

“While coaching at Mt. Blue, Rick recognized the need for a junior development program to expose young children to ski racing before entering Junior High and High School. To satisfy the need, he established and coached, along with some of his high school athletes, in a Buddy Werner race program on Sundays. This program was open to skiers in 2nd through 8th grades. The feeder program exposed many young skiers to racing and ultimately contributed to the success of the High School ski team. 

“During his coaching career, Rick’s teams won 11 girl’s and 8 boy’s State Championships. In addition, his teams were perennial winners of KVAC Championships. 

“Rick was also a very active member of the Titcomb Ski Slope volunteer base. He spent many hour making snow, cutting trails, improving the race facility, including installing lights for night racing and assisting in building and maintaining start and finish buildings.

“Above all, Rick wanted his Mt. Blue skiers and the Buddy Werner and Nana Webber skiers to have a lifelong love for skiing. He made it fun and has influenced many to continue with the sport. 

Butch Reilly

Jon Morill wrote in his Nomination Letter, “Butch Reilly, a lifelong skier, has contributed to the growth of skiing and riding in Maine over the past 55 years. His passion for the sport as a young man led him to become one of the top winter sports apparel industry leaders in the country. Butch has been very generous with helping young up and coming skiers and ski racers by proving them product when needed. I can honestly say he has provided hundreds of free ski jackets and pants to kids in Maine whose parents could not afford them. His generosity enabled kids to participate in the sport of skiing.

“As a Wilton, Maine resident and Sugarloaf skier Butch was a major advocate for Maine ski racing. He had the support of Peter Webber and Robert Parisien Sr. to hire Bruce Miles and Jeff Rosenberg to become coaches for the Sugarloaf Tutorial program. This was pre- Carrabassett Valley Academy. During the first winter there were six student skiers and a few teachers from the University of Farmington. Over the next five years and with the support of Butch Reilly and others the program grew. The school officially became known as Carrabassett Valley Academy once the Capricorn Lodge was purchased. As with other local supporters of the school, Butch is a great example of what one can accomplish through hard work.”

Carl Theriualt

In his Nomination Letter Ben Paradis wrote, “Carl was instrumental in helping develop the Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) including the construction of the 10th Mountain Center in Fort Kent.

“The MWSC invested over $35 million in their major effort to energize Northern Maine’s economy through skiing. That investment led to World Cup, World Championship, and National Championship events hosted in Aroostook County and generating between $8 and $10 million in economic impact per event.

“As a consummate community leader, Carl agreed to coach the Fort Kent Community High School Alpine Ski team when Greg Voisine stepped down for a few years to spend more time raising his two boys.”

Laurel Lashar

In his Letter Of Support, Jay Marshall wrote, “Laurel has worn many hats over the years, chief of timing, race administration, personnel administration for this department. The race Department has hosted many NRAMs U.S. National Championships, Eastern and National Championships, and Can Am series.

“In addition to these major events, the race department has hosted likely more than 100 FIS races in all disciplines .Laurel has also been deeply involved in MA, main Alpine Race Association, as administrator and representative to the Eastern Alpine Committee.

“She has a deep love for ski racing and has deep respect from all the coaches, officials, and volunteers she has worked with.” 

Matt Sabasteanski

In his Nomination Letter Muzzy Barton, wrote, “In many ways, Matt Sabasteanski was and is the Pied Piper of Nordic skiing in southern Maine. With his direction and hard work he has contributed mightily to his development.

“Matt is a wonderful steward of skiing in our community.

“He is honest, trustworthy, hardworking and has been driven in this commitment to further the sport here in Maine and has almost single handedly built the great programs we have here today .

“The only thing he can’t seem to control is the weather.”