DJSR Alpine Race Coaches
We strive to deliver a unique training experience for our racers. All of our race coaches are experienced and/or certified USSA and PSIA ski coaches. Our Athlete to Coach ratio at our 2022 summer and fall race camps was an impressive 4:1. Our coaches bring knowledge and skills from the NJISRA, NJSRA, and VARA. Every program is run with different coaches making it interesting and special for all of our athletes.
Pictured above from left to right: Brendan Hickey, Kyle Markovich, Roy Scovill, Rodney Calafati, Carole Scovill, Robert Lincoln, Katherine (KC) Lister, Jim Backman, Claudia Calafati & Brenhan Muhs
Coach Rod Calafati
DJSR Founder and Alpine Race Coach
Voted "NJ Ski Coach of The Year" by his peers two years in a row, for the 2022 and 2023 race seasons. This prestigious recognition is a testament to Coach Calafati's exceptional coaching abilities, unwavering dedication, and outstanding contributions to alpine ski racing. Rod is an inspirational coach that has a great capability to connect with racers and get them to perform at their best. He is fanatical about alpine ski racing and brings a wealth of knowledge to our program. Rod coached the NJ State High School Ski Team at the 2023 Eastern Regional High School Championships at Cannon in N.H.. Rod has coached the Sparta High School Ski Teams for the past six years and in 2023 the boys' ski team won the title of "Public School State Champions". On the weekends when he is not coaching the high school race team, Rod is in Vermont coaching the Stratton Winter Sports Club U14 racers. Rod is responsible for developing and orchestrating the "Don't Just Ski. RACE." programs.
USSA Alpine Race Coach & Official | VARA Ski Coach | Sparta High School Ski Team Head Coach | NJISRA Council Executive Board & Petro Chair | SWSC Stratton Winter Sports Club Alpine Race Coach | SMSS Stratton Mountain Professional Ski Instructor | USSA Alpine Competition Official (CO), Jury Advisor, U.S. SafeSport, CPR, First Aid, AED & Stop The Bleed
FALL 2022 CAMP COACHES:
Rodney Calafati (Sparta HS / Stratton SWSC), Jim Backman (Pingry HS / Stratton SWSC), David Martin (Stratton SWSC), Robert Lincoln (Mount Peter Racing), Brendan Hickey (Stratton SWSC), Jonathan David (Mount Snow MSA), Roy Scovill (Wayne Hills HS), KC Lister (Bernards HS), Boris Kaushansky (Mountain Creek Racing), Kyle Markovich (Sparta HS), Carole Scovill (USSA Masters), Christine Larsen (Pingry HS), Patricia Backman (USSA), Johnny Walker (Green Mountain Valley GMVS), Claudia Calafati (UVM ASRC), Riley Wolfinger (UVM ASRC), Brendan Muhs (Keene State) & Serena Calafati (Sparta HS).
SUMMER 2022 CAMP COACHES:
Rodney Calafati (Sparta HS / SWSC), Jim Backman (Pingry HS / SWSC), Roy Scovill (Wayne Hills HS), KC Lister (Bernards HS), Kyle Markovich (Sparta HS), Robert Lincoln (Mt Peter Racing), Brendan Hickey (SWSC), Carole Scovill (USSA), Claudia Calafati (UVM ASRC) & Brendan Muhs (Keene State).
NOTE: Coaches vary at each camp and are subject to change.