Konnor Ralph taking top honors in rail jam at the 2017 USASA Nationals

The USASA Foundation sat down with Brendon and Konnor Ralph, two of the 29 athletes who were awarded the 2017 Chuck Allen Scholarship, to hear about the importance and honor of receiving the Chuck Allen Scholarship. Chuck Allen, founder of USASA, started this scholarship fund to support athletes who showed a commitment to community, good grades, participation in their chosen forms of education and a strong commitment to USASA and their local USASA series. We’re so proud of all of our recipients and are wonderful examples of USASA athletes who personify the codes of excellence, respect and fun.

Why is being a recipient of the Chuck Allen Scholarship important to you and your freestyle skiing pursuits?

Receiving the scholarships is an honor! The scholarship committee awarded these to us based on what they read in our applications. Receiving the Chuck Allen Scholarship provides us feedback that our hard work in school, our positive attitudes, our efforts to be kind to others and our goal to become even better freestyle skiers is noticed and appreciated by others.

What are you excited to do with this scholarship?

Our parents sacrifice in order to allow us to freestyle ski. We are so grateful for the time they commit getting us to competitions, all the money they spend on car expenses, lodging, meals and ski equipment, and definitely for their emotional support and encouragement!

Our scholarship awards will go toward Windells ski camp this summer. This money, on top of what we both earned through our paid jobs, makes Windells possible. Without any coaching opportunities where we live, we merely rely on each other for guidance and coaching.The summer camp opportunity allows us to receive great direction, guidance and support from an actual coach. We are really excited about being able to go!

 
Brendon Ralph during the 2017 USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain, CO

How has USASA positively affected you life?

USASA competitions and being a freestyle skier is a major source of joy to us! It’s challenging and super rewarding. When we aren’t skiing we are dreaming about skiing!

Through USASA competitions we have been able to travel and compete in hills across the Inland Northwest were we never would have gone otherwise. We have met a ton of new friends from all over who love skiing as much as we do and also some really supportive adults. USASA has been an incredible experience.

The USASA Foundation awarded 29 USASA members the 2017 Chuck Allen Scholarship. The Chuck Allen Scholarship rewards athletes who demonstrate the characteristics and qualities most valued by Chuck Allen, founder of the USASA; a commitment to community, good grades, participation in the athlete’s chosen forms of education and a strong commitment to USASA and their local USASA series.

Applicants were required to share their USASA results, a summary of who they are, their future dreams and hopes, three letters of recommendation from a coach, teacher or community member on those important character traits and a sealed official school transcript on academic performance and participation.

“Receiving the Chuck Allen Scholarship provides us feedback that our hard work in school, our positive attitudes, our efforts to be kind to others and our goal to become even better freestyle skiers is noticed and appreciated by others.” - Konnor and Brendon Ralph, slopestyle and rail jam freeskiers from the Inland Northwest Series.  

 The USASA Foundation distributes financial awards to a recipient’s chosen organization to offset their further educational, recreational or training costs. The USASA Foundation is the fundraising arm of USASA and to date has awarded over $21,000 for both the Chuck Allen Scholarship and the Nationals Assistance Fund for the 2016/17 season.

Chuck Allen and USASA Alum and Olympian Louie Vito circa 2010

Click here to support the USASA Foundation.

Congratulations to all 29 of the 2017 USASA Foundation Chuck Allen Scholarship recipients!

Summer is officially here and USASA wants to make sure your summer is filled with time on snow! Woodward Copper, Woodward Tahoe, SASS Global Travel, BKPRO, Windells, and High Cascade are all offering amazing deals on summer camps for USASA members.

• Save $300 on Woodward Copper and Woodward Tahoe
• Save $150 on High Cascade Snowboard Camp
• Save $150 on Windells Camp
• Save $300 onSASS Global Travel Argentina Backcountry Summer Camp
• Save %10 on BKPRO Camps

SASS Argentina is nearly SOLD OUT! If you are looking to make this unreal summer training opportunity happen this year, you need to get on it ASAP. A bunch of USASA athletes are already signed up. All USASA members get $300 off. INQUIRE HERE.