U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame inductees arrive
ISHPEMING — The latest class of U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame inductees has gathered for its enshrinement ceremony.
The inductees began to filter into Ishpeming this morning. One of them, freestyle skiing pioneer John Clendenin, took a tour of the hall this afternoon. He says he was riding in a car when heard about his induction through a voice mail message.
“I’d just played golf and I won a bet and I heard the message, and I screamed,” Clendenin said. “It was one of the greatest pieces of news I’ve had in the back nine of my life. How could I do better than that?”
Hall of Fame president and CEO Tom West brought him to Suicide Hill today. Clendenin says that when he saw it, the significance of the area with regard to the sport struck a chord with him.
“It rocked my boat,” Clendenin said. “This is where it all started. And then, to come to the museum and see the heritage here that I’m being honored with, it gives me chills just thinking about it. It’s so neat.”
The induction ceremony takes place at the hall at 7:00 tonight. It’s free of charge and the public is welcome to attend.