Diann Roffe Joins Burke Mountain Academy
Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) announces the hiring of Diann Roffe to the newly created position of Program Director of the BMA Junior Program. Roffe will lead an effort to more closely integrate the BMA Junior Program with the technical progression and coach’s education of the academy to elevate the quality of the experience for all Junior Program participants. “I’m beyond thrilled to be returning to Burke,” commented Roffe. “BMA is a special place and I think we have an opportunity to build on the great program that is in place and cultivate a junior program with an exceptional culture and skill progression that dovetails with the academy.” Roffe’s new role will have her working for BMA full time and she, her husband Art, and their son Tripp will relocate to East Burke seasonally from November through April.
“Diann is a BMA alumna (’85), World and Olympic Champion, and has been a successful coach and club director in her post-competition career. It’s hard to imagine that we would find someone more qualified to lead our program,” said Willy Booker BMA Head of School. “It’s particularly meaningful that an alumna who has achieved the highest levels of success in our sport is willing to return and help cultivate and inspire the youngest athletes in our program.”
Roffe will be working closely with Felix McGrath, BMA Sport Director to build a program vision and technical progression that supports world-class skill development and supports and fun, healthy and appropriately challenging environment for all participants. “I’ve known Diann since our time together on the U.S. Ski Team and have been proud to call her teammate, friend, and colleague for over 30 years,” notes McGrath “She has an unparalleled competitive background but her qualifications as a coach are also very impressive.” Roffe has been an active member, coach or official with US Ski and Snowboard since 1975. She has also been a member of PSIA since 1995 and holds a PSIA Level III certification.
In her competitive career, Roffe accumulated one of the most impressive resumes in American skiing. She became a Giant Slalom World Champion in 1985 while still attending high school at BMA. Over the next 10 seasons, she accumulated 36 top ten World Cup finishes and won an Olympic Silver Medal in the Giant Slalom in 1992. She capped her career with an Olympic Gold Medal in the Super G in 1994. Since retiring as an active racer, Roffe has acted as Head Women’s Coach for NYSEF, served as a USST Women’s Development Team Mentor Coach, and from 2016 to present acted as the Program Director and Head Coach for Ski Roundtop Race Club. She has given back to the ski community by serving as a Pennsylvania Alpine Racing Association Director and State Chair to U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Eastern Division, 2017 to Present, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Eastern Division ACC voting member 2017 to Present and U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Eastern Division Children’s Committee, 2017, Vice-Chair 2018-2019.
Denise Leafe who served as the BMA Junior Program Coordinator for almost 20 years will not be returning to the program next season. “I’m so grateful to Denise’s commitment to the program and for all the care with which she guided the program for so many years,” notes Booker. “Denise leaves a lasting legacy at Burke and we hope to build on the incredible program that she leaves behind.”
