John Roderick

Few skiers have had a competitive career as long as John Roderick. As a teenager in the 1920’s he joined the Chisolm Ski Club as a charter member of the junior organization, beginning a competitive career representing that club for 68 years. Starting his career as a ski jumper his first documented event was as a jumper in the Rumford Winter Carnival in 1925. During seven decades the Rumford native piled up victories and high finishes at local, New England, National and North American events.

Although he started as a jumper and competed in alpine races as well, Roderick made an early decision to focus on cross country and that discipline received his full efforts. In 1940 the Rumford native earned a class A rating in his chosen event which he maintained through age 57. After that he competed successfully in class B and eventually in class C, running in 10-12 races each season and sometimes more, earning a reputation for finishing every race he started.

Through his career he won at least 77 trophies, medals and bowls along with numerous citations, mostly in cross country, but prior to World War II a number were in Nordic combined. His victories came in Maine, New England, Eastern and North American competition.

Along with his competitive activity, Roderick was busy supporting the sport as an official, serving as Chief of Course in the 1950 World Championships, moved to Rumford due to lack of snow in Lake Placid. He also worked as an aid to Chummy Broomhall on the cross country courses at Squaw Valley, California in the 1960 Olympics.

John was also involved in course design and layout, designing and actually building most of the original 18 kilometer Chisholm ski Club race course that was the site of those World Championships in 1950 and many more races over the years including national championships and NCAA’s. He was also a tireless worked maintaining the trails.

Giving back to his sport, John contributed by serving as president and treasurer of Chisholm Ski Club, and as a race/meet official, Chief of Hill for jumping, Chief of Race and Chief of Course for cross country events, always available wherever and whenever a helping hand was needed.

Hundreds of cross country skiers remember John Roderick as the coach and mentor when they were kids learning the sport at the club. Among those he worked with were Olympians, Chummy Broomhall, Bob Pidacks, Jim Miller and Jack Lufkin.

As a competitor John was active into his 80’s. Although he claimed to have retired from racing at 75, that was only from the 50 K races. He ran 10 and 15 K races for another seven years.

His competition career would be more than enough for most, but the service to other skiers and the sport through a lifetime has earned John Roderick a place in the Maine ski Hall of Fame.