Skyler at Durango Mountain Resort

The Fort Lewis College mascot, Skyler the Skyhawk, made a visit to Durango Mountain Resort (DMR) on December 27. Skyler joined two FLC admission representatives in wishing DMR skiers and boarders a happy holiday season. No pun intended, but it was a beautiful bluebird day. Clear blue skies and excellent powder/packed powder conditions made it an enjoyable day on the slopes. With temperatures in the low 20s, Skyler and the FLC admissions counselors were on hand to provide some apres-ski relief--hot chocolate and cookies. As you can see in the photo, one of our younger Skyhawk fans was excited to have her picture taken with Skyler. This year, Fort Lewis College enters its second-year partnership with Durango Mountain Resort. Prospective students who visit the Office of Admission during ski season receive a complimentary lift ticket at DMR. I encourage you to visit with us this winter season to learn more about FLC and to take advantage of our great relationship with DMR. Happy holidays and best wishes for 2010.

Fort Lewis wins National Cyclocross Championships

Congratulations to the Fort Lewis College cycling team for winning its 15th national championship in Bend, Oregon earlier this month. With the win at this year's national cyclocross championships, the FLC cycling team continues to stand atop the podium--The Skyhawks are ranked #1 by the National Collegiate Cycling Association. Special accolades are in order for Teal Stetson-Lee for winning the women's race and for Ben Sonntag for placing second in the men's race.

NCAA Champs!

What a fall! First, the Fort Lewis College cycling team won the mountain bike national championship, and now, the men's soccer team has won the NCAA Division II National Championship.

You can watch the highlights of the 1-0 win over Lees-McRae College last weekend in Tampa, Fla. here.

Congratulations to the boys in blue and yellow as well as to their first-year head coach, Oige Kennedy. The FLC soccer tradition continues!

FLC Cycling Coach Paces Lance Armstrong

Matt Shriver, the Fort Lewis cycling team's coach, was enlisted by Lance Armstrong last weekend to help the 7-time Tour de France champion set a course record at the Leadville Trail 100. A former pro cyclist, Shriver pushed the early pace for Armstrong and ended up finishing 3rd overall in 7:09. Armstrong won the race in a blistering 6:28:50, a new course record by over 17 minutes. Reflecting on the day's ride, Shriver mused that "it was a pretty special day for Durango, for Fort Lewis and for myself." Shriver was decked out in his FLC kit, showing his Skyhawk pride.

Armstrong told VeloNews that he may thank Shriver for his assistance by visiting Fort Lewis to ride with the FLC team. We hope to see Lance here later this fall.

The Fort Lewis College Cycling team have won 13 national championships and are the reigning USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Champions. With a coach like Matt Shriver, I understand why the Skyhawks excel on the singletrack.

Allez Skyhawks.