Passing of former FIS Technical Delegate Andy Wise Sr

Apr 05, 2024·Inside FIS

Andy Wise (lower right) at the 2011 U.S. Chairman's Award Dinner on May 20, 2011 with fellow Westhaven Award recipients © Sarah Ely/U.S. Ski & Snowboard

Andy Wise Sr, an esteemed leader and advocate for the freestyle community, passed away on March 30, 2024, in Denver, Colorado.

For over 35 years, Wise has been involved in freestyle skiing across all levels, from championing the next generation to working alongside the top athletes in the world, all while serving on countless boards and committees to advance the sport of freestyle skiing.

In his career, Andy served as the Chairman of the Rocky Mountain Freestyle Division from 1990-1996. Then, in 1999, he became a Sports Committee Chairman and an esteemed member of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors, which he held until 2010. He continued his committee work with U.S. Ski & Snowboard on the Freestyle Sports Executive Committee until 2020. Throughout his career, Andy was dedicated to advancing athlete safety, and event logistics. He always strived to create an environment where athletes had the necessary tools to reach their full potential, on and off the snow.

Over the years, Andy has received his technical delegate, chief of competition, and chief of start FIS licenses. He served as an FIS Technical Delegate at 21 World Cups, 34 FIS events, and two Junior World Championships across moguls, aerials, halfpipe, and ski cross. A person widely recognized for his accomplishments and service to freestyle skiing, taking on FIS assignments in the U.S. and worldwide, serving on the Freestyle Chairman’s Advisory Group and more.

It is the nature of the TD’s role that we meet each other only infrequently and briefly, if at all, and my only face-to-face meetings with Andy were at TD Clinics that he attended. I formed a warm impression of him and was grateful for his knowledgeable contributions on these occasions. I know you will join with me in sending our condolences to his family and his many friends in our Freestyle community, along with our thanks for his many years of service to the sport he loved.– Iain Mackay, GB Freestyle Committee Chair / FIS delegate

During his tenure, Andy received many awards for his dedicated work. In 2005, he received the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Westhaven Award, given annually to celebrate outstanding work as a technical delegate. Then, last year, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Sports Committee nominated Andy for the Julius Blegan Award, the highest-level award at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, honoring a member who has contributed service to our sports over a sustained amount of time.

Andy’s efforts and leadership will be felt for generations to come, and the impact he made and will continue to have across all snow sports will last forever.– U.S. Ski & Snowboard

FIS extends its sincerest condolences to the friends, family, and former colleagues of Andy Wise Sr during this difficult time.

Text retrieved from U.S. Ski & Snowboard official communication