CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Peter H. Carter '69 Head Coach for Harvard Alpine Skiing Scott MacPherson was named the 2023 EISA Coach of the Year this week. This is the second time MacPherson has received the award.  

"Im honored to be selected by my fellow coaches as the EISA Coach of the Year" MacPherson said. "I view this as a tremendous complement to our program and a recognition of my entire coaching staff. I am privileged to work with such a fantastic group of student athletes."

MacPherson is in his sixth season as head coach of the Harvard Alpine Team. With over 12 years of experience coaching at the collegiate level prior to Harvard, MacPherson brought extensive experience and leadership upon his arrival to the Crimson where he served as an assistant coach for two years. In June 2017, Harvard Athletics announced the hiring of Scott MacPherson as the Paul J. Finnegan Family Head Coach for Harvard Skiing (Alpine). In June 2020, the alpine coach position was endowed, and his title changed to The Peter H. Carter '69 Head Coach for Harvard Alpine Skiing.

During this 2022-23 season the alpine team saw great success and achievements across the board despite the unpredictable and unfavorable weather conditions. Before the start of the official season, a few student-athletes competed in other competitions. Brother and sister duo captain Emma Ryan and Matt Ryan competed for team Ireland at the FISU World University Games. Junior Liam McNamara skied to a second-place finish at the New Years Day Proctor Race. The season began at Bates Carnival where first-year Fredrik Willumsen Haug finished in first place on his second giant slalom run and placing third overall, taking home a bronze medal. That was the first time in eight years that a member of the Harvard Alpine team medaled in the giant slalom event during a regular season carnival. On the women's side first-year Elsie Halvorsen has made a name for herself as a tough competitor during the EISA circuit by placing within top 20 the whole season and even some top 5 finishes. Throughout the season, many of the skiers recorded career and season bests.  The Crimson was also fortunate to host a Harvard Carnival this year after a two year hiatus at the Waterville Ski Resort (alpine) and Dublin School (nordic). The Harvard Carnival was broadcasted through ESPN through the Ivy League Network and could not have happened without the combined effort of both Scott MacPherson and Paul J. Finnegan Family Head Coach for Harvard Nordic Skiing Chris City. 

The previous time MacPherson was honored with this award was during the 2019-20 season when current senior Matt Ryan became the first male alpine skier to qualify for NCAA's since 1988. During his tenure as Harvard head coach he has had three NCAA qualifiers. MacPherson is currently preparing for the 2023 National Championship where he will oversee Fredrik Willumsen Haug in his NCAA debut next week March 8-11 in Lake Placid.