NASA Lewis Ski Club History

A Brief History of the Lewis Ski Club

In the late 1970’s, a small group of skiers from NASA’s Lewis Research Center (now the Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field) began visiting the local ski areas of Brandywine and Boston Mills on a regular basis during the winter ski season. The group included both experienced as well as never-ever and novice skiers. As many skiers know, this combination can be a disaster. Experienced skiers often become impatient with the seemingly slow progress of a new skier, while new skiers often become frustrated with their inability to keep up. This, however, was not the case for the NASA group. The experienced skiers of the group provided constant encouragement and timely instruction for the new skiers. The enthusiasm and fast progression of the new skiers provided a sense of pride and a source of excitement for the experienced skiers. Moreover, the unique blend of personalities created an atmosphere of spontaneous fun, excitement, and camaraderie that formed the basis of the Lewis Ski Club. It remains the basis of the club’s success to this day.

Word of the group spread quickly throughout NASA Lewis. Recognizing what they had, and willing to share it with everyone, the group drew up a set of rules by which to govern themselves, and petitioned the NASA Exchange Council for recognition as an officially-sanctioned social organization at NASA. This provided no NASA support for the group, but permitted them use of NASA facilities for meetings and a means to communicate their activities to all NASA Lewis employees.

The ski outings quickly expanded to day-long charter bus trips to western New York and Pennsylvania and then to weekend charter bus trips to Michigan and West Virginia as well as New York. Longer trips to Canada and the western U.S. were also quickly added to the club’s trip schedule.

The club’s reputation as a fun and active group at NASA Lewis and in the community grew rapidly. The popularity and success of its many events and get-togethers were primarily due to the inclusive, come-along-with-us atmosphere generated by the group. While events were openly advertised, most participation was due to word-of-mouth communication; to other members and non-members alike. It was this personal, extended-family relationship among members that was the reason for the club’s success. It is the hallmark of the Lewis Ski Club.

Skiing was not limited to alpine-only. Avid Nordic skiers joined the group and many members enjoyed both types of skiing. Lewis is one of the few ski clubs in NE Ohio that maintains and fosters active participation in cross country skiing.

Activities did not stop when the snow melted. Canoeing, biking, white water rafting, camping, and hiking, all flourished. Beach parties, hot tub parties, Halloween parties, toga parties were, and are, all part of the club’s activities. Shortly after forming, the club became a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Ski Council (CMSC) and regularly participated in the CMSC’s annual volleyball and softball tournaments, as well as its Queen Pageant. In the early to mid-1990’s, the CMSC softball tournament was hosted by Lewis Ski Club on NASA Lewis Research Center’s grounds. The club also held its own Christmas/Drink-off Party in anticipation of the CMSC’s Drink-off competition. Lewis Ski Club remains a cornerstone member of CMSC. As that organization has evolved, some of its events have been discontinued and new ones started. Lewis continues to be a strong supporter of CMSC activities.

Monthly meetings were held in NASA’s Administration Building Auditorium. They were often followed by the group moving their festivities to a local gathering place such as The Grog Shop. The Airport Sheraton’s ‘Final Approach’ lounge was another favorite gathering spot. NASA Night at the Final Approach became, in effect, Lewis Ski Club Night as many patrons, if they weren’t already club members, joined up! These establishments no longer exist, but the club continues to frequent local gathering places and now holds meetings off-site to allow easier access by those who are not employees of NASA.

In the late 1990’s the NASA Lewis Research Center’s name was changed to “NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field”. The Lewis Ski Club, being a well established and vigorous organization, saw no reason to change its name. And so, it remains the Lewis Ski Club; a club for skiers, but more importantly, a club for everyone.

By Gene Addy, Lewis Ski Club Historian