Abbott named recipient of John Hugus Leadership Award
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Mike Abbott has received The John Hugus Leadership Award from Central Cross Country Skiing, Inc (CXC). Mike is a member of Michigan Tech's Nordic Race Organizing Committee and has been integral in all aspects of sport development, implementation, and accessibility at MTU.
Mike has been referred to as "the grandfather of skiing at Michigan Tech" for his wide influence in the ski community and is known to be the first to arrive and the last to leave when he's helping at ski events. One of the pioneers of the project that brought 60K of beautiful MTU trails and facilities into existence at Tech.
Abbott helped create the University's Nordic Ski Club and helped pioneer what is today the Outdoor Adventure Program. Mike has served as the Chief of Competition for multiple Championships and on the committee at six U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships and the 2006 Junior Olympics. At MTU, he served as the Director of Sports & Recreation, Director of H-Stem Planning & Operations, and Director of the Great Lakes Research Center Operations.
JOHN HUGUS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Recognizing Community Leaders and Dedication to the Region
The spirit of John Hugus lives on in the hearts and minds of CXC members. Each year, CXC remembers John Hugus's contributions to the cross-country community by recognizing a leader for their dedication to the sport in the region.
The community was core to John Hugus' principles - his home community of Wausau, Wis., and the greater community of cross country skiing. As a high school coach in Wausau, he was a motivational influence on his athletes. But he believed in spreading community: founding the Knicker Nordic Ski Club, leading the Wisconsin Nordic League, providing wisdom on CXC committees and its board, serving as a Junior Nationals coach, or just hanging out at 9 Mile Recreation Area helping kids enjoy cross country skiing. He shared his influence with other coaches through the Wisconsin High School Coaches League and CXC. All of those around him valued John's core beliefs and principles. Hugus passed at the age of 57 in 2013 after a 17-year battle with cancer.
Past Award Recipients:
- Ted Theyerl (2019)
- Vasa Ski Club (2018)
- Ben Popp (2017)
- John Munger (2016)
- Don Becker (2015)