JAY DAVIS

JAY DAVIS – Ford Sayre Nordic BKL Head Coach

Jay started skiing in Bethel, ME, in elementary school. He lives in Lyme and works with first generation and low income students at Dartmouth College, where he captained the collegiate team as an undergraduate and then coached the college team for two years after graduation. He has two kids who have loved being part of Ford Sayre skiing and racing, and he has coached all grade levels with Ford Sayre in the 26 years he has been with the program.  As Head Coach for the K-8 BKL Programs, he is responsible for the organization, preparation and direction of our fabulous coaching team. Please address all coaching inquiries to Jay at jay.t.davis@dartmouth.edu.

What do you find most fulfilling about working at Ford Sayre? 

Working with a remarkable community of adults to help hundreds of  kids each year discover a love of skiing and of being outside together in the winter!

Are there any stories that epitomize your Ford Sayre experience as a Head Coach so far? 

Hundreds over the last 26 years, ranging from seeing one of our kiddos go off a little jump for the first time to having another one win her national age group to seeing 100 kids come off of Garipay in the rain, smiling and laughing after their time together.

Can you give us a sense of what happens during a typical in-season day in your role? 

I spend a lot of time ensuring that we are holding practice in the right location for the current conditions, and making sure that the lead coaches feel comfortable with their plans for the day and week.  Then, during the actual practices, I go wherever needed, potentially filling in for an absent 5th grade lead coach or running an obstacle course for 2nd graders – I’m pretty distractible, so the variety is wonderful. 🙂 

How do you define success for your athletes? 

The only success is if they win a gold medal at the Oympics. Ok, not really. 🙂  Our most important objective, by far,  is that our kids have sufficient fun on skis that they want to keep skiing for life.   If they win an Olympic medal, or go on to race in high school, or end up backcountry skiing, or learn how to support each other, that’s all bonus on top of their having fun on skis.

Is there a role model (coach or athlete) you particularly admire?

Jessie Diggins, for her drive, her toughness, her exuberant spirit, her communication skills, her exceptional support of her teammates, and her transforming willingness to be vulnerable about her challenges.

If you could invite any one person (from real life or fiction) to coach how to ski, who would it be and why?

John Morton, my ski coach at Dartmouth.  He competed in two Olympics and has worked at or attended many, many more, but what sets him apart is his understanding of his skiers as full human beings, and his ability to help them be their best selves both on and off skis.

Best Piece Of Advice You’ve Ever Been Given? 

Good choices come from wisdom, and wisdom comes from bad choices.

What’s The Most Adventurous Thing You’ve Ever Done? 

I have been lucky to have many crazy adventures (including teaching 7th graders) – two memorable ones are skiing 180 kilometers in two days and winter camping the night in between at the Canadian Ski Marathon, and canoeing the length of the Connecticut River.

What’s Your Favorite Non-skiing hobby? 

Biking and singing

Tell us one item on your bucket list? 

Skiing in Norway!

What’s your hidden talent?

I can whistle without anyone knowing it’s me.

Some images courtesy of Britton Mann Photography