Coaches & Captains

Our coaches bring a wealth of technical knowledge and experience to our ski team. They are constantly striving to increase their technical and tactical knowledge of ski racing through education from the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA), the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), and the National Ski Patrol (NSP). They ensure athletes’ long-term improvement by providing our high school racers with a solid understanding of the fundamentals of racing techniques and tactics. Skiers of all levels can subsequently improve their involvement with the Sparta Alpine Race Ski Team.

Rodney Calafati

Head Coach

Rod is an inspirational coach that has a great capability to connect with racers and get them to perform at their best. He is fanatical about alpine ski racing and brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. Rod has been involved with the Sparta Ski Team for the past nine years and this is his seventh season coaching the Sparta High School Ski Team. Coach Calafati has been named "Coach of The Year" two years in a row, for the 2022/23 and 2021/2022 seasons. Rod coached the NJ State Ski Team at the 2023 Eastern Regional High School Championships at Cannon in New Hampshire. He is the founder of the "Don't Just Ski. RACE.", alpine training programs and ski instructions.

USSA Level 200 Alpine Race Coach & Official | VARA Ski Coach | NJISRA Head Coach | NJISRA Council Executive Board & Petro Chair | Stratton SWSC Alpine Race Coach | Stratton SMSS Professional Ski Instructor | USSA Alpine Competition Official (CO) & Jury Advisor | U.S. SafeSport | CPR, First Aid, AED & Stop The Bleed

coach@SpartaSki.com

Kaitlyn Clemens

Assistant Coach

Sparta High School graduate and former SHS alpine racer.

NJISRA Assistant Coach | Mt Peter Dynamites Coach | Former SHS Racer | U.S. SafeSport, CPR, First Aid & AED Certified

kaitlyn@SpartaSki.com

Serena Calafati

Coach's Aide

USSA Level 100 Alpine Race Coach & Official | Don't Just Ski. RACE. Coach | Former SHS Racer & Two Year Team Captain | U.S. SafeSport, CPR, First Aid & AED Certified

serena@SpartaSki.com

Claudia Calafati

Coach's Aide

USSA Level 100 Alpine Race Coach & Official | Stratton SWSC Race Coach & Ski Instructor | Don't Just Ski. RACE. Coach | UVM ASRC Alpine Racer | Former SHS Racer & Team Captain | U.S. SafeSport, CPR, First Aid & AED Certified

claudia@SpartaSki.com

Evalyn Fitzsimmons

Coach's Aide

Former SHS Racer | SHS Substitute Teacher | CPR, First Aid & AED Certified

evalyn@SpartaSki.com

Brendian Moriarty

Coach's Aide

Former Assistant Sparta Ski Coach 8 Years | NJISRA Alpine Official | SHS Teacher | CPR, First Aid & AED Certified

brendian@SpartaSki.com

Therese Calafati "Mrs Coach"

Coach's Aide

Don't Just Ski. RACE. Program Director | Coach's Apparel Lead | Former President Sparta Ski Boosters 2019-2022

therese@SpartaSki.com

Captains are selected as leaders on and off the hill. They are a great resource for new athletes on the team to answer questions and be positive role models. Please seek them out to assist you in any way. Find out what it takes to become a Team Captain.
*  Each season one to four ski racers are named team captains. Team captains are announced prior to the start of the new race season. Additional team captains may be named at the end of dry-land training.