Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors

Mike Moran receives post-homously "Cum Laude" award from Cross-Country Ontario Posted on May 11th, 2009

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On April 26, 2009 the Southern Ontario District of Cross Country Ontario presented to Mike Moran who passed away in Sept. 30, 2006 the "Cum Laude" award - an award given "in recognition of outstanding contribution to the development of cross-country skiing in Southern Ontario over a period of years".

Accepting on Mike's behalf was his wife and life-long friend Cheri Doman (holding the plague). Present were also Mike's mother (Eileen), father (Gerald ), Ann Budge (on the right) - a master's Nordic skier who helped organize this presentation - and Clare Magee (in the back) - a master CANSI course conductor who introduced Mike's life-long work to the Cross-Country Ontario group present at the awards ceremony during that evening at Highlands Nordic.

For those of you who could not be there, here are Cheri's acceptance words.

An accomplished athlete who excelled at sport and loved outdoor pursuits, Mike's successes came from being thorough and consistent in all that he did, always keeping his goals in sight. He drew strength from the pursuit of knowledge and inspiration from the elements in the natural world around him.

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water - are believed by the Chinese to regulate the cycles of growth and change in our physical universe. Each of these Five Elements has a unique nature and spirit and every human being has an affinity to one or more of these forces. Simply stated, similarities can be drawn between a person's character and the innate properties of the Five Elements.

Ancient Chinese philosophy describes the power of Wood as emanating from its ability to adapt itself to obstacles and bend around them; The radiant energy of Fire drawing others to its light and warmth; Earth as the serene centre of gravity around which the rest of the world gathers; Metal's strength likened to a snow-capped mountain - its broad base firmly grounded in the earth.

Water energy is described as fearless and directed...knowing where it is going and having the inner drive to get there. Water changes shape effortlessly and its power is most evident in winter. Those who spent time on the snow with Mike Moran can attest to the man's great sense of rhythm and balance on skis. Skiing was Mike's passion and Water...his energy.

"Water...flows on and on, and merely fills up all the places through which it flows, it does not shrink from any dangerous spot nor from any plunge and nothing can make it lose its own essential nature. It remains true to itself under all conditions." - The I Ching

Never once did Mike Moran hesitate or retreat from a difficult situation. He followed his course in life with strength, purpose and determination. Mike's battle with cancer ended on September 30, 2006 but his energy flows on. It channels forward, directing us to overcome obstacles and reach our own goals in life.

Thank You for honoring Mike's achievements in Cross Country Skiing today after all of his years of dedication and commitment to this sport we so fondly remember him participating in...I can see Mike now goofing around on his skis in front of us as we speak...He loved this sport and more than anything he adored the people involved in every aspect and at every level. He truly spoke highly of all his associations.

Ann Budge is really the one who persevered thru the initiation process and rallied some of Mike's favourite folks in life to share acknowledgments and attainments on his behalf. Folks like Clare Magee, Jan Vopalensky, Kim Viney, Holly Blefgen, and many others. They all knew that Mike was convinced that life was 10% of what happened to him and 90% of how he reacted to it. Thank you all for your human spirit and continued contribution to every thing Mike would favour, support and be proud of within this sport and throughout daily life.

Cheri Doman, Soujourn

In addition to Cheri's words, people present at this award ceremony could also read the following words of appreciation of Mike's work and generosity.

My history with Mike goes back many years to when we first started our retail store in Toronto, The Racing Stripe, back in 1981. Mike was then in the supplier side of the ski industry and was at one time our Bonna ski rep and after that, our Patagonia rep.

When we moved our retail operation up to Oro-Medonte and incorporated all the businesses into the Hardwood Hills location, Mike continued his association with us as a supplier rep, but we also became involved with him through CANSII. Now that we were running Hardwood Hills as a full-time business, we needed to ensure our ski instructors were well trained and teaching with the most current teaching methodologies.

Mike therefore instructed our own Hardwood Hills staff and also ran separate CANSII clinics at Hardwood Hills so our involvement with him continued for many years, even after he left the supplier side of the industry in order to manage and run Sojourn along with his wife, Cheri.

Mike treated all aspects of the ski industry with professionalism, integrity, and humour. He was kind, encouraging and fair as an instructor and genuinely a nice, decent guy. He was a very talented skier himself who instilled a love of the sport into everyone who came within his circle. He had a passion for life and the outdoors which was infectious and everyone who was lucky enough to participate in one of his ski clinics always came out a better and more enthusiastic skier.

Mike's physical presence is still very much missed, but his love of the sport and teaching itself lives on in the lives of everyone he influenced.

Respectfully submitted,
Kim Viney
Former owner, The Racing Stripe Inc. and Hardwood Hills

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Today, I can still see Mike telemarking down Waterfalls at Devil's Glen in perfect form and control, drawing everyone's gaze from the chairlift. Mike was an amazing, highly talented skier and athlete, whereby his skis became one with the snow. More importantly, however, was his demeanor as an instructor and his ability to quietly and effectively convey to his students, technique and applicable drills that would allow them all to achieve success in one of his clinics or courses. We, at Ski Telemark employed Mike for this unique set of capabilities and he provided excellent service in return.

The outdoors and snow were Mike's loves and he would enthuse any and all that he met with his energy and passion. I first met Mike telemark racing and later he was our Course Conductor for CANSI Telemark and Cross Country Ski courses. His knowledge reflected a deep understanding of the sport and he always was interested in learning and sharing of new advances and learning methodologies.

Mike with his wife Cheri Doman, created a retail store, SOJOURN as an outlet for their consummate passion for the outdoors. Twinned spiritually the two gave Barrie a special connection that thrives today. May we never forget his spirit of giving and instilling the love of life in everything he undertook.

Holly Blefgen
President, Ski School Director, Ski Telemark Ltd.