Wendall Broomhall

The sport of cross-country skiing has been changed forever- in the world, in this country, and in the town of Rumford, Maine - because of the love and tireless dedication to the sport, of Wendall "Chummy" Broomhall.

Since 1936, Broomhall has been a member of the Chisholm Ski Club in Rumford, Maine. When World War II came, he served in the historic 10th Mountain Division of the US Army. Then, "when we all got home from World War II, we developed Black Mountain, mainly because guys wanted a place to ski .... There wasn't any Sugarloaf. "

He went on to ski on the U.S. Ski Team from 1947-1954, competing in both the 1948 and 1952 Winter Olympic Games. "When I made the Olympic Team in 1952, I was married with three children and didn't know how I would be able to afford to go. The ski club, which always sponsored our events, not only paid my expenses, but took care of my family while I was away," said Broomhall. And he's been giving back to the Club ever since.

Over the years, Broomhall has donated some 300 acres of land to the Chisholm Ski Club for the development of cross-country ski trails. In 1997 he had permanent easements legally set up to protect the lands for recreational and competitive skiers to enjoy in perpetuity. Now, nearly 70 years later, The Chisholm Ski Club and Black Mountain have produced six winter Olympians, including Chummy and three skiers he coached. The non-profit organization, run by volunteers, has built and maintains world-class ski trails and organizes ski races that generate thousands of dollars for the Mountain and the local economy. When he was named a finalist in the 1991 Halvoline Star Award it was because of his work in developing and preserving a world-class ski area to be enjoyed by future generations of cross- country skiers.

Broomhall's expertise and experience made a tremendous impact on the international circuit, too, when, at the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, he revolutionized the modern ski industry by introducing machine grooming. As technical adviser, Chief of Race, and Chief of Course - he and AI Merrill actually designed the courses Broomhall brought the sport to a new level, and he continued to do so, judging and serving at other international events, including the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY, and several junior Olympic championships.

In 1981 he was inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame, which honors those "who have contributed to the sport of skiing in the United States."

"I am fortunate to be involved with something I love, while giving others the opportunity to enjoy the sport." Chummy has a long and distinguished list of credits to his name, but his greatest credit will always be his tireless, continued devotion to his sport and his community.