As a young coach, Doug made his mark by leading the Alberta Team to its first victory at the Canadian Nationals in 1963; Banff’s Henderson brothers from that team not only went on to become national team members, but continued Doug’s legacy with their own coaching careers, Wayne with the U.S. Women’s Team and Scott with the Canadian Team at the time when the “Crazy Canucks” were being developed.
Doug’s contributions to the world of skiing were recognized in 1970 when he was named Rotary Club’s Western Canadian “Sportsman of the Year”. He continued to excel in coaching, as the Head Coach of the Calgary Ski Club and the Banff Ski Runners, and helped to organize and run World Cup Races held locally. Doug also felt it was important to instil in young skiers a love of recreational ski racing, and thus began his involvement as coach of the Nancy Greene League at Mt. Norquay. Many Banff children owe their love of skiing to Doug’s inspiring influence.
One of his greatest contributions to the world of competitive skiing was the four years Doug spent preparing both the men’s and women’s courses, safety measures, and snow retention system for the 1988 Olympic alpine events at Nakiska. Doug’s safety measures were considered the “gold standard”.
Humble, kind, encouraging, and always the true gentleman, Doug is an unsung hero who has left a legacy that many involved in skiing now take for granted. Banff’s success as a training ground of world-class racers is due in large part to Doug’s incredible energy, personality, and ground-breaking hard work.