Some very sad news

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