Class Note 1964

With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (now 2021?) so much in the news, I asked our own class Olympian, Ed Williams (1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics, in biathlon), to reflect on what enabled him to reach that platform and the effect it had on his life.

Ed writes that his dad started him skiing at the age of 5 and, coming from upstate New York, he early learned to hunt squirrels, pheasants, and grouse. At Dartmouth it was not long before he found himself at Holts Ledge trying out for the freshman alpine team. The stars (in order of finish) were Pat Terenzini, Jim Jacobson, Chris Palmer, and Bobby Hiller, followed by Charlie Stromeyer, Geoff Pitchford, Stephen Kelso, Ed Frost, Rick Isaacson, Gus Buchtel, and Tom Ilfeld. He says that he did not even merit mention on the results sheet and made himself as small as possible in the van back to campus.

Ed writes: “Coach Merrill had already identified Mike Parker, Frank Hannah, and Gene McGregor as strong candidates for the freshman cross-country relay team but needed a fourth runner. Recognizing my determination, he asked if I had ever thought of doing cross county. ‘I can teach you and I think you would be good,’ he said. Wow, that was exciting. It was the start of a relationship that changed my life. It led to hours of hard training as a cross-county skier and my decision, with the urging of Sam Baker ’62 and Jim Page ’63, to try out for the Olympics. Being a member of Dartmouth’s ski team and later the U.S. Olympic team were great honors. All those who helped push me along deserve my thanks. They were with me when I saw that skier from Estonia in the 20-kilometer individual race tear up his racing bib in an act of disgust at being passed by an American.”

I would note that Ed served on the board of the U.S. Olympic Committee for 12 years and has used his law practice to support the best interests of athletes. Our class boasts one other Olympian, Geoff Pitchford, who competed in the downhill and slalom for Great Britain. 

Our next column will focus on your experiences with and thoughts about Covid-19. Let’s hear from you!

—Jay Evans, 274 New Aldrich Road, Grantham, NH 03753; gjevans222@gmail.com