MBSEF campaign receives $250K donation to Nordic Center
The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation announced Monday a major commitment of $250,000 in support of its ‘A Place To Soar’ capital campaign. The pledged contribution will name the Nordic Program Center in MBSEF’s planned facility in honor of Roger and Laura Jo Gildersleeve.
MBSEF Executive Director John Schiemer commented, “What a fitting way to honor Roger and Laura Jo, who gave so much to the sport, for the Gildersleeve Nordic Program Center to nurture the skills and character for generations of youth through Nordic skiing.” The new facility is expected to be completed as early as next year, pending successful completion of the ‘A Place To Soar’ capital campaign.
Roger Gildersleeve was especially instrumental as one of the first MBSEF board members. He was recruited to promote high school Nordic skiing for the state of Oregon and later helped coach the Redmond High School ski team. “This is such a natural fit for our program,” said Kelly Simoneau, MBSEF Nordic Assistant Coach. “Roger was my first Nordic coach when I was attending COCC in 1977. His no quit attitude and sheer love of the sport was a motivating factor for the rest of my Nordic ski racing career.”
“Roger was a very good friend and fellow COCC teacher,” said former MBSEF Board Chair Dennis Oliphant. “I don’t think that there is one person in the ski community that wasn’t somehow inspired by Roger. His can-do attitude was an inspiration to all his students and pretty much anyone else that knew him. He always greeted you with his giant smile and took genuine interest in what you were doing. Warm, sincere, determined, funny and kind are the words that come to mind when I think of him.” Roger Gildersleeve passed away September 2015.
Laura Jo lived a rich life with adventure, hard work, and laughter. In 1970, she met Roger, a handsome 40-year-old athletic bachelor. It was then she said the adventures began. They backpacked, canoed, fished and camped along the Deschutes and Umpqua rivers, drove a camper to Alaska with two teenage boys, and biked through Europe several times. Laura Jo was a woman who was softened at the edges and tempered with a strong spirit. She had a joyful presence and a love for life. Laura Jo passed away February 2019.
The pledge commitment comes from the Tomseth Family. Matt Tomseth, who is Roger’s stepson, says he wants to ensure both his step-father and mother are remembered for their contributions to the Nordic community.
“This generous donation from the Tomseth family is another tremendous step towards fulfilling our campaign goal of building a permanent MBSEF facility that will be a second home for generations of local youth,” said John Schiemer. MBSEF launched its ‘A Place To Soar’ capital campaign in November 2017, with a goal of raising $4 million to build the organization’s first permanent facility. With the new commitment to honor Roger and Laura Jo Gildersleeve, the campaign is approximately 60% to its goal.
About MBSEF:
The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for junior athletes to achieve their individual athletic, academic, and personal goals through competitive snow sports. It promotes and supports amateur alpine, cross country, snowboard, and cycling training.
More Information about Roger Gildersleeve
Roger participated in his first Pole, Pedal, Paddle (PPP) race in 1980, and continued the annual tradition, missing only two of the following 28 years. He won his age group in each of the 21 years he raced as an individual. He also competed in masters’ cross-country ski races in the U.S. and Europe and many other local race venues whenever possible.
Roger had a gutsy, gut it out, iron-willed competitive spirit, and was oftentimes referred to as the human “energizer bunny.” He was encouraging and supportive to all who had a desire to push their physical or personal limits and served as an inspiration by getting in the trenches with those he coached.
