Team Birkie Selection Criteria
Team Birkie Criteria
Year Round Team Size: up to 14 athletes
Tier 1 (up to 4 athletes)
Meet at least one of these criteria:
- Top 30 Ranking USSA Points Distance or Sprint for Men and Women
- Previous NCAA Top 12 Performance
- Top 10 US Nationals Result
- Qualifying for a World Cup Team/International U20/U23 Team
- Annual Team Fee is waived
- Team Benefits: annual training plan, weekly coaching, lactate profiles, treadmill technique sessions, team uniforming, help with ski selection, choosing grinds, race support (coaching/ski service) at in Region and out of Region Team Events
- Athletes invited to Team Camps and Competition Trips. Cost of these camps will be subtracted from an athletes fund of $6000 until it is depleted. Once the $6000 is depleted, the athlete is responsible for their share of travel, food, and lodging costs.
- Athletes pay Team Fees for Camps and Competition Trips. “Team Fees” include food/lodging/travel expenses of coaching staff. Team Fees can be paid from Travel/Camp Stipend
Tier 2 (up to 6 athletes)
Meet at least one of these criteria:
- Top 50 Ranking USSA Points Distance or Sprint for Men and Women.
- Top 30 NCAA Championship Result
- Top 25 US Nationals Result
- Annual Team fee is waived
- Team Benefits: annual training plan, and year long coaching, lactate profiles, treadmill technique sessions, team uniforming, help with ski selection and grind selection, race support (coaching/ski service)
- Athletes invited to Team Camps and Competition Trips, but the athlete is responsible for their share of travel, food, and lodging cost.
- Athletes pay Team Fees for Camps and Competition Trips. “Team Fees” include food/lodging/travel expenses of coaching staff
- Team Fee of $7,000.
Tier 3 (up to 6 athletes)
- Athletes invited to Team Camps and Competition Trips, but the athlete is responsible for their share of travel, food, and lodging cost.
- Team Benefits: annual training plan, weekly coaching, lactate profiles, treadmill technique sessions, team uniforming, help with ski selection, choosing grinds, race support (coaching/ski service) at all Central Events
- Athletes pay Team Fees for Camps and Competition Trips. “Team Fees” include food/lodging/travel expenses of coaching staff
- Team Fee of $10,000. (2 payments, one in June, one in November).
Coaches’ Discretion in Tier Selections
- Staff may use discretion in determining whether athletes may be promoted to a higher Tier. Principles of discretion will be posted shortly
