Veteran Coach Jimbo Johnston Named Head U16 Alpine Coach

WILMINGTON, NY – The New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) announces the appointment of James (Jimbo) Johnston as its Head U16 Coach and Mike Mezzetti as Head U14 Coach at its Whiteface Mountain program. 

Johnston has been a staple in the NYSEF organization for over three decades and brings a wealth of experience as an athlete and coach, as well as a deep passion for skiing and ski racing to the U16 team. His commitment to excellence and ability to inspire young student-athletes align with NYSEF/Northwood School’s mission to foster a love for skiing while developing top-tier talent.

Johnston, who has most recently led the alpine U14s at Whiteface, is a US Ski and Snowboard Level 200 Certified Coach, and a Level 3 Referee. He leaves the U14 program in the talented hands of Mike Mezzetti, who also has been with NYSEF’s US Ski and Snowboard Certified Gold Club for many years and has worked within several different age groups. 

“Jimbo has been an essential part of this program for over thirty years and I’ve worked alongside him for over twenty of them,” said John Norton, NYSEF Executive Director. “I’m excited for him to take the helm at the U16 level.“ 

Jimbo Johnston is equally excited about this new opportunity.

”It has been a great run working with the U14s at NYSEF Whiteface for the past 12 years,” Johnston said. “I look forward to the challenge of working with the U16 group and am very excited to help these student-athletes fulfill their goals in ski racing.”

NYSEF and Northwood School alum and two-time Olympic medalist Andrew Weibrecht expressed his appreciation for Johnston, as well as his excitement for the U16s in the coming season. 

“Jimbo was one of my first coaches as a kid,” said Weibrecht. “While he is a world-class technical coach, he instilled a love and passion for skiing in all of us, which is equally important. The skills and lessons I took from my time with Jimbo were the foundation of what ultimately propelled me to be successful at the highest levels of the sport. I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with Jimbo and am excited for all the young athletes who will be working with him in the coming years.” 

Tommy Biesemeyer, NYSEF alum, Olympian, and Northwood School’s Director of Skiing, expressed his excitement. 

“Jimbo has a unique ability to inspire kids to push their boundaries while instilling self-belief in successfully reaching their goals,” Biesemeyer said. “His coaching inspired me to become an Olympian and U.S. Ski Team member, and I am honored to see the next generation benefit from his proven track record.”

Mezzetti has been a ski racing coach for more than 20 years, many of those years with NYSEF. He has worked with several different age groups ranging from U14 to masters racers. Most recently, Mezzetti was a U16 alpine coach at Whiteface. Mezzetti grew up skiing at Mt. Peter Ski Area in southern New York and credits his time there for his deep appreciation for ski racing. 

“I am excited for the opportunity to head up the U14 program,” Mezzetti said. “I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Jimbo for many years. I’m looking forward to helping young athletes see how big the world of ski racing is and instill the passion I have for the sport in them.”

Norton also applauded Mezzetti’s new role with the U14 skiers at NYSEF’s Whiteface program. “Mike will be a great leader in the U14 age group. Our team at NYSEF continues to be of the highest quality and dedicated to long-term youth development,” said Norton. “The experience and leadership that Jimbo and Mike bring as members of the team is invaluable.”

In addition to skiing, soccer is Mezzetti’s other passion. He boasts a Level 2 Goalkeeping diploma from United Soccer Coaches, the world’s largest soccer coaches organization, and is the Director of Goalkeeping and an Assistant Youth Coach for the Blackrock Football Club.

Jeremy “Worm” Transue and Seppi Steigler, Head Women’s and Men’s FIS coaches, respectively, will continue to lead the programs at the U18+ level. Coaches David Wenn and Beatty Schlueter will continue to lead the U12 and U10 programs. Their leadership, in conjunction with Johnston and Mezzetti, will strengthen the program’s commitment to driving excellence and sportsmanship by creating a sustainable athlete development pipeline. These appointments reaffirm NYSEF/Northwood’s dedication to fostering innovation and excellence in alpine skiing.