Waterville Valley Black & Blue Trail Smashers and Waterville Valley Academy are pleased to announce the hiring of Patrick Purcell as Head Women’s FIS Coach. Patrick brings extensive knowledge and experience in Snowsports to the role combined with strong academic and administrative experience.

Most recently Patrick was the Head U16 Coach at New York Ski Education Foundation (NYSEF), leading young men and women with his outside-the-box and sincere coaching style. Prior to his time at NYSEF, he spent time coaching for various organizations including the US Women’s Europa Cup Team, the Dartmouth Ski Team, and the Canadian Women’s Europa Cup Ski Team. Patrick  is also a level 500 US Ski & Snowboard coach, the highest level of coach certification achievable. After 45 years of coaching experience, Patrick says he is still learning through listening, taking cue direction, analyzing thoroughly, exhausting all options, experimenting, and trying again!

Patrick is looking forward to getting started with the athletes at WVA saying  “My hope starting out at Waterville Valley Academy is to be the best version of what I am capable of both as a coach and mentor. I am an athlete-centered coach and will be driven by those who are driven!  My goal is to create trust in the community, parents, staff, and most importantly the athletes. In doing so we will create a motivated working group that understands the importance of comradeship through common goal attainment.”

In addition to Patrick, his wife Elizabeth will be joining the staff at WVA as a dorm parent. Elizabeth will be serving as a dorm parent at WVA for the second time, having previously supervised the dorm during the 1990s. After her time at WVA, she pursued various roles as a dorm parent and teacher at institutions like NYSEF, Stratton Mountain School, Green Mountain Valley School, among others. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Teaching from Plymouth State College and also holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Head of School Tom Sell adds “Patrick is one of the most dedicated coaches I have known, he carves excellence into everything he does. His passion and commitment inspire athletes to reach new heights. Having Patrick and Elizabeth join the WVA community will have a huge positive impact on the program.”

Patrick and Elizabeth have 2 children, Charlie 21, currently a sophomore at Saint Michaels College in Vermont, and Caroline 18, who will graduate from Northwood School in Lake Placid, NY in May. When not working you can find Patrick pursuing his rock-climbing passion or piloting a helicopter. Please join WVA in welcoming Patrick & Liz to the organization.