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Dear MAST Families, We’re excited to announce the 2nd Annual MASTers Golf Tournament (see attached) to be held 3PM October 14th at Hiawatha Golf Course. Details attached and registration link below. SIGN-UP HERE We are also excited to be holding a raffle at the event for a chance to win incredible prizes. But we need YOU to help provide them – just make sure they’re incredible! Please donate any goods or services like gift cards, wine, tickets, equipment, apparel or anything someone might want! Prizes can be dropped off at Matt McConville's house (5057 Newton Ave. S.) anytime before the event or text Matt at 612-802-9560 and he will pick them up. Click the link below if you would like to donate a raffle prize. RAFFLE DONATIONS HERE Thanks – and see you on the course!  MAST UPDATE #1 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 Dear MAST Athletes, Parents and Coaches: Thank you to all the parents, athletes, coaches, and alumni who helped clean the goat barn on Labor Day. What a wonderful team effort. Fastest goat barn clean-up in the storied history of goat barn clean-up efforts. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Our State Fair supervisor was very pleased and I understand he would like us to clean the feathered animals space next door under the same roof next year as well. Who doesn't love a promotion?!?! Registration MAST registration will open on October 1. As in previous years, registration is a two-step process. First, you will be asked to register with MAST directly. This will be done online. I will be sending everyone a link in a future MAST Update. Step Two is when you register with your high school athletic director. My understanding is that you can do this online this year. Details to come. If you are new to MAST, please fill out the NEW Athlete Inquiry Form. Many of you have done this already so thank you. Doing so will put your athlete on our radar and ensure that everyone in the family is receiving our MAST Updates. This form also collects the MPS email address of every athlete. Most likely any preseason meetings we have this year will be online and you will access these meetings using your athlete’s MPS email address. MAST Fact Sheet Attached is the 2021-22 MAST Fact Sheet. This is your first source of information about all things MAST. If you are new to MAST, this will give you a good overview of our program. I’m sure you will still have questions, so please feel free to call me. I find it is much easier to answer questions with a phone conversation that by email. 612-275-8392 Equipment Now is the time to get set up with the equipment you need. Please check out the Equipment Pages on our website for a lot of detailed information about the equipment you need. Attached is a revised MAST Buying Guide For Ski Equipment. This is also available on our website under the Equipment header. The MAST Guide will help you understand how to size and select quality used (and new) equipment. Please note: You need SLALOM race skis and RACE boots. You do NOT want to use RECREATIONAL skis or boots. Why? Because they will not perform well in a slalom race course. The skis will be slow to turn. The boots won’t flex and help you create the kind of angles you need to progress as a racer. If you are new to MAST, you most likely want to find used equipment. There are several sources of used equipment: local ski swaps, online sites, and our own MAST ski swap which will likely be online this year as well. Check our website for links to local ski swaps. The first swap will be held at Buck Hill on Friday, September 24-Sunday, September 26. Here is a link: Buck Hill Ski Swap. Other swaps are scheduled this fall as well. Team Gilboa is holding a swap Oct 29-31 at Hyland. See our website for additional swap information: Fall Ski Swaps. MAST Equipment Night at Pierce Skate and Ski If you need to buy any equipment new, I recommend Pierce Skate and Ski in Bloomington. Bart and Terri Pierce and their staff provide first class customer service. During the months of September and October, our racers can benefit from discounted pricing on new equipment. Attached is a letter from Bart and Terri explaining these discounts and announcing our MAST Equipment Night at Pierce scheduled for Wednesday, October 6. On Oct 6, Pierce will add staff and reserve all after school and evening appointments for MAST families. I will also be on site to help guide your purchase. Sometimes it helps for the old coach to be there. If the 6th doesn’t work for you, you can certainly make an appointment for boot fitting for another date. I recommend making an appointment if you are in the market for new skis as well, but my understanding is that this isn’t necessary. If you need tuning equipment, clothing, or protective gear you can just drop in anytime. We do have a lot of equipment listed on our website. Last year we were unable to hold our MAST in person ski swap. Hopefully we will be able to do so this year. Probably in mid to late October. For now, you can browse through the equipment listed for sale on our website HERE and HERE. I will be working to combine these two pages into one page. If you have items listed on either page that have sold, please let us know so we can remove them from the listing. To remove or add items, please contact Cyrus Vahhaji at cyguy@me.com Season Pass Purchase Everyone needs a season pass to Hyland Hills Ski Area. You can purchase your season pass through MAST or online through Three Rivers Park District/Hyland Hills. The season pass price is $455. If you purchase the pass through MAST, you will not need to pay Minnesota State Sales Tax. To purchase a season pass through MAST, please mail a check made payable to Mpls Alpine in the amount of $455 to: Mpls Alpine Ski Team 4800 Harriet Ave S Mpls MN 55419. The deadline for purchasing a season pass through MAST is October 27. Attached is a list of athletes who purchased the 2021-22 season pass through MAST back in March. Fundraising MAST holds several fundraising events during the year. Some fundraisers are Team Fundraisers in that the funds are used to cover some of our operating expenses. These fundraisers allow us to keep our team fees lower. We also offer an Individual Fundraiser in the Fall. Individual Fundraising gives each athlete the opportunity to raise money that he or she can use to cover the cost of optional/additional programming we offer during the season such as supplemental training on Saturday evenings, the Giants Ridge Camp over Winter Break, or even team apparel purchases. Due to rising expenses, we may need to ask athletes to cover the cost of a lift ticket at Away Races this season, so any money an athlete raises could be used for this purpose as well. This year, our individual fundraiser consists of selling coffee from Urban Ventures and salsa from MinneSalsa. More information about the Individual Fundraiser will be published soon. The State Fair Goat Barn event was a team fundraiser, and we will be holding our second annual MASTers Golf Tournament this year at Hiawatha Golf Course on Thursday, Oct 14 starting at 3PM. This fundraiser is for adults only. More information about the Golf Tournament will be published later this week. For now, please try to clear your schedule for a 3PM tee time (shot gun start). A post golfing reception will be held at Carbone's. Covid, Supplemental Training, Camp, Busing I do remain concerned about the rate of Covid spread. My hope is that everyone will be vaccinated by the time our season opens. Masking on the hill will be mandatory for anyone who is not vaccinated and might be prudent for those of us who are vaccinated given how crowded Hyland can get and how much snot and moisture is expelled on the hill while breathing in the lift line. We are planning to resume Supplemental Training on Saturday afternoons/evenings and we are hoping to bring back our training camp at Giants Ridge over Winter Break. There are currently two dates set aside for camp: Dec 20-23 (four days, three nights) and Dec 30-Jan 1 (three days, two nights). We are keeping both options open for now. Let me know if you have a strong preference. Finally, as you may have read, our schools are suffering from a shortage of bus drivers. I don’t know how much this will impact our ability to charter buses. The biggest effect will be on transportation to away races during the school day. My guess is that it will be easier to get a bus on Saturdays for Supplemental Training. The bottom line is that parents may be asked to help drive athletes to Away Races this season. I’m at two and half pages. As you can see my emails are still brief and to the point. Please read, print, and save these MAST Updates. Store them in a secure location. I know that our athletes don’t always check email. Tough nuggets. They need to start doing so on a semi-weekly basis during the preseason and daily during the season. To be a successful ski racer, the athlete needs to learn how to stay organized and accept personal responsibility. Email is how I will be communicating. Each Update will contain important information and instruction. Our sport is too complex for other forms of communication (Instragram, Twitter, TeamSnap, etc.). We do our best to keep our website up to date, so check that frequently as well, but rely on the most recent MAST email communication for the most up to date information. With most Updates, the athlete or parents will be asked to take an action (sign up for something, volunteer, watch a particular video, bring something, etc.). Read and act. That will help out the coaches tremendously. I am excited for the season. Hope you are as well. Enjoy this beautiful day. Mark Conway markrobertconway58@gmail.com 612-275-8392 
Friday, September 3, 2021
Good Afternoon: Two quick announcements. 1. The funeral for Scott Griggs will be held at 3PM on Thursday, September 9 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on 41st and Lyndale Ave S. Here is a link to Scott's obituary. https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/22147280/scott-w-griggs 2. Matt McConville informs me that many of you who are volunteering for our State Fair fundraiser still need to pick up your tickets to the fair. Please don't forget. By the way, thank you for volunteering. If for some reason you cannot help on Monday, please reach out to one of the families on the substitute list. We have families willing to work the Fair but who didn't make the 100 ticket cut. Check out who is signed up here: State Fair Fundraiser Sign Up Where: McConville's House 5057 Newton Avenue South / 55419 (on side deck facing park -51st street side - in a green bin) Call or Text Matt McConville with questions 612-802-9560 When: Sunday, 8/29/21 to Sunday, 9/5/21 8am - 9pm Monday (Labor Day) 9/6/21 8am - Noon
COVID SAFE PROTOCOLS We are recommending the following for volunteers: 1. Only vaccinated volunteers participate in the Goat Barn fundraiser. 2. All volunteers wear masks the entire time. Thanks much, Mark Conway 612-275-8392 MAST Update #1
Friday, August 27, 2021 Hello MAST Families: Winter is in the air.... and the Goat Barn is too! State Fair Admission Tickets for those planning to work the MAST State Fair Barn Cleaning Fundraiser on Labor Day will be available for pick up starting this Sunday. Where: McConville's House 5057 Newton Avenue South / 55419 (on side deck facing park -51st street side - in a green bin) Call or Text Matt McConville with questions 612-802-9560 When: Sunday, 8/29/21 to Sunday, 9/5/21 8am - 9pm Monday (Labor Day) 9/6/21 8am - Noon
COVID SAFE PROTOCOLS We are recommending the following for volunteers: 1. Only vaccinated volunteers participate in the Goat Barn fundraiser. 2. All volunteers wear masks the entire time. Who Is Signed Up To Clean? Listed below is a list of athletes and family members who are signed up to work the State Fair Fundraiser. This team is AMAZING. We have 98 people signed up to clean the Goat Barn. Thank you! We have 100 tickets. Don't hesitate to sign up as a substitute, in case some volunteers can't make it. MAST Goat Barn Cleaning Fundraiser Sign Up Finn Cherveny Aaron Cherveny Will Cherveny Sarah Cherveny Matt McConville Anne McConville Frankie McConville Mark Conway Kate Moore Sam Moore Jack Moore Wendy Moore Steve Moore Jodi Mkaouri Hassan Mkaouri Nahlah Mkaouri Makeen Mkaouri Gabby Harritt Mark Harritt Melissa Harritt Elli George Karin George John George Eleanor Vap Elliot Vap Aaron Vap Alicia Vap Parker Hunt Heather Hunt Sullivan Hunt Carolyn Heindl Mary Woollen Clark Heindl Elliot Loes June Loes Charlie Loes Stephanie Loes Maggie King James King Reese Kuehn Racquel Kuehn Jack Bajek Jeff Bajek Andreas Drekonja Dimitri Drekonja Michelle Smith Charlie Smith Charlie Smith II Matt Arbeiter Kirsten Arbeiter Ellie Arbeiter Vada Arbeiter Brien Spanier Leo Spanier Jonas Geere Rhonda Geere Dan Geere Kristy Supanich Amelia Supanich Tom Claeson Nicole Claeson Caroline Claeson Marshall Claeson Beckett Wedren Stella Wedren Janna Fraboni Jeff Wedren Simon Showalter-Loch Tim Showalter-Loch Jonah Byron Evan Byron Casey Byron Kai Lamb Jack Strand Bret Margolis Krista Margolis Samantha Abellera-Wright Elika Vahhaji Michelle Abellera-Wright Amelia Moertel Kirsten Moertel Izabella Nahas Cy Nahas Michella Nahas Ziad Nahas Maddie Graff Jeremy Graff Jerome Nechville-Gray Paul Isaacson Missy Nechville-Isaacson Eliza Bruzek Julia Maurice Callum White Hope White Stuart Durand Hudson White Colin Brandt Sam Vahhaji Thank you to all who will be helping to clean the goat barn. This is the first fundraiser of the year and a great team builder as well. New athletes and families are welcome. If you have any questions, please call me at 612-802-9560. Matt McConville Thursday, August 26, 2021
Dear MAST Athletes, Alums, Parents, and Coaches: With a heavy heart, and words that do not come easily, I must share some very sad news. After a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer, Scott Griggs passed away last Wednesday. Scott was diagnosed with cancer in his colon and liver back in December of 2018. With courage, hope, and determination, he fought back through endless sessions of chemotherapy and surgery. Scott is survived by his wife Jane and sons Nick and Logan. If you knew Scott, you knew this to be true about him: His love for his family was fierce. Scott became involved with MAST in 2009 when his oldest son Nick joined the team as a seventh grader. He immediately volunteered to help on the hill as a coach, making it possible to bring new students onto the team who had zero to minimal experience. He loved coaching these enthusiastic newcomers to the sport, and they progressed quickly with Scott’s patient, easy-going coaching style. In those early years, we had three overnight camps at Welch each season. Scott was there to help on and off the hill, sleeping in musty cabins on uncomfortable steel framed beds. Never a complaint. He filled those mini camps with humor, generosity, and enthusiasm. Once the race season started, Scott was the first one to call, text or email me offering his time and talent “wherever you need me.” And in the preseason, Scott was there to clean the goat barn, welcome and mentor new families, assist with equipment procurement, and teach new athletes and parents how to tune skis. It was common for Scott to contact me with the observation that so-and-so was in “too stiff”, “too big”, or “too recreational” of a boot and he had an old race boot sitting around that would suit the skier better. Scott was thoughtful and generous. And even after Logan graduated in 2019, Scott’s support of our MAST athletes continued. Back on March 3, the coaches were thrilled and encouraged when Scott showed up on the bottom of South Wild to watch the second run of the Section IV Championship race. He was in the neighborhood and wanted to see the athletes compete. Jane, Nick and Logan are planning a funeral for Scott in early September at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. I will let you know the details when they are decided. If you would like to send a card to the family, their address is 4444 Colfax Ave South, 55419. Scott’s impact on the success and culture of our team over the past twelve years was tremendous and his spirit has marked our team for years to come. What inspires me most, however, is how much love Scott had for his family. Thank you, Scott. You lived life fully and with the deepest kind of love. May you rest in peace. Mark Conway Good Morning MAST Athletes, Parents, Siblings, Coaches, and Alumni:
The Goats are returning to the State Fair, which gives our MAST community the privilege of cleaning up their mess. This is our first team fundraiser for the 2021-22 season and we need your help. State Fair Goat Barn Fundraiser Monday, September 6, 5:30-9PM (Labor Day) We have 100 State Fair Admission Tickets for the first 100 people to sign up. Instructions for picking up your tickets will come in an email in the next week or so. Click on the link below to sign up for this awesome team building and fundraising event. Please enter the name, phone number and email address of everyone who will be assisting with the Goat Barn Cleaning. MAST Goat Barn Cleaning Fundraiser Sign Up Thank you. Mark Conway 612-275-8392 Hello MAST Athletes, Parents, Coaches, and Friends: On September 6, 2021, our annual trip to the Great Minnesota Get-Together returns. We will once again be cleaning the goat barn as both a team fundraiser and a team building exercise. The party starts at 5 and we usually have the place spotless by 8:30pm, or earlier if the Fair can keep the garbage trucks coming. Please open the attached flyer and print it out as a reminder. A bit of MAST artwork to decorate your fridge. Stay cool. Mark Conway 612-275-8392  Dear MAST Athletes:
The MAST captains have expressed a willingness to lead strength and conditioning workouts this summer at Lynnhurst Park. They will utilize the workouts we posted on Instagram last summer, but conduct them in-person this year. Before moving forward, we need to determine whether there is enough interest within the team to justify the time and effort they will be committing to this endeavor. The program would run two days a week. The captains have identified two sets of days and times to hold the training. If you are interested please send an email to Daniel Polland dpolland@gmail.com at indicate which time slot works best: Option 1: Monday/Wednesday-6:00-7:00PM. Option 2: Tuesday/Thursday-8:30-9:30AM. Again, if you are interested in joining your captains this summer to improve your strength and conditioning, please send Coach Daniel an email at dpolland@gmail.com Please leave your name, email address, cell phone number, and which training option would work best for you. Questions? Feel free to insert any questions you have in your email. Enjoy your summer break. Daniel Polland Good Evening MAST Families: Looks like we have a beautiful day forecasted for our banquet. Be sure to bring warm clothes, blankets, heated lawn chairs, water so you can remain comfortable for the duration of the banquet. We still have space. If you are not signed up to join us tomorrow night, you still have time. Just follow this link: https://minneapolisalpineskiteam.sportssignup.com/MySportsStore Finally, the athletes will have the opportunity to vote to elect our captains for the 2021-22 season. Please download and PRINT and even READ the attached Captains' Statements document introducing you to the folks who would like to serve you as captains next season. See you tomorrow night at 7. Mark
Hello, the banquet is only 5 days away! We are so excited to see you on Friday at 7PM at the ROC!
Registration has closed, but there is space still available. Please reach out to Mark if your schedule has changed and you can now join us! PLEASE eat BEFORE the banquet. NO FOOD will be served and NO FOOD IS ALLOWED. We need volunteers! Athletes, please sign up! We need your help, please CLICK HERE
To enter the ROC walk around the North (street) side of the Rec center building - not through the Rec center. Bring Everyone attending bring: Mask ....Chair ....Water....Warm Clothes Bring cash/check for MAST swag MAST coffee mugs, ski straps, stickers, and other swag will be for sale before the banquet. |
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