Colorado University Athletics
Ski Team Great Brad Ghent Passes Away After Battle With ALS
September 08, 2022 | Skiing
EDWARDS, Colo. – Brad Ghent, a University of Colorado All-American and part of four NCAA Championship teams, passed away in Edwards, Colo., after a five-year battle with ALS Saturday; he was 69.
At CU, he was part of the first four of eight straight NCAA Championship teams from 1972-75 on the alpine team and was an All-American in 1974. Each of his four CU teams were also RMISA Champions. His five top five finishes in downhill races still ranks sixth in CU history and he was inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame in the class of 2018.
He was already to be recognized on CU's Mountain of Honor this year, to be given out at the 51st Annual Ski Ball on Oct. 14.
Born on Dec. 7, 1952, Ghent grew up in Fort Collins, Colo., before moving to Eagle County in 1991. He learned to love the mountains at an early age, making the long drive to Winter Park before the days of Interstate-70 every weekend to train and race with the Winter Park Alpine Ski Team.
That commitment led him to a spot on the CU Ski Team initially as a walk-on. He quickly earned a spot on A-Team each season eventually helping the Buffs to four NCAA titles. He graduated from CU with a Business degree in 1975 and turned his attention to ski coaching. He worked for the US Ski Team as the women's alpine coach through 1986, which included his 1985 team winning four World Championship medals.
Following his work with the US Ski Team, he returned to Fort Collins where he and his wife, Karen Lancaster Ghent, started their family. The couple was married for 36 years and had three daughters, Erika, Christa and Abby, all of whom followed their parent's love of ski racing. Erika skied for the Buffs from 2010-12, herself being part of an NCAA Championship team in 2011 while racking up five All-America honors.
He continued to support ski racing his entire life and was a certified FIS Technical Delegate where he officiated countless ski races from the junior through World Championship and Olympic level, including a high percentage of CU home meets. He served on the Board of Trustees for Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, the Board of the Rocky Mt. Ski Race Officials, and was recognized as the Vail Valley Foundation's Volunteer of the year in 2015 after directing the on-hill volunteer staff as the Talon Crew Coordinator from 2000 through the 2015 World Championships.
Off the mountain, he was a pilot, world traveler and avid outdoor sports enthusiast. He enjoyed mountain biking and was second in the Leadville 100 race in 2012 in his age group.
A celebration of life will be held at the Ghent residence in Edwards on Sept. 18. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Brad's honor made to the ALS Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter.
At CU, he was part of the first four of eight straight NCAA Championship teams from 1972-75 on the alpine team and was an All-American in 1974. Each of his four CU teams were also RMISA Champions. His five top five finishes in downhill races still ranks sixth in CU history and he was inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame in the class of 2018.
He was already to be recognized on CU's Mountain of Honor this year, to be given out at the 51st Annual Ski Ball on Oct. 14.
Born on Dec. 7, 1952, Ghent grew up in Fort Collins, Colo., before moving to Eagle County in 1991. He learned to love the mountains at an early age, making the long drive to Winter Park before the days of Interstate-70 every weekend to train and race with the Winter Park Alpine Ski Team.
That commitment led him to a spot on the CU Ski Team initially as a walk-on. He quickly earned a spot on A-Team each season eventually helping the Buffs to four NCAA titles. He graduated from CU with a Business degree in 1975 and turned his attention to ski coaching. He worked for the US Ski Team as the women's alpine coach through 1986, which included his 1985 team winning four World Championship medals.
Following his work with the US Ski Team, he returned to Fort Collins where he and his wife, Karen Lancaster Ghent, started their family. The couple was married for 36 years and had three daughters, Erika, Christa and Abby, all of whom followed their parent's love of ski racing. Erika skied for the Buffs from 2010-12, herself being part of an NCAA Championship team in 2011 while racking up five All-America honors.
He continued to support ski racing his entire life and was a certified FIS Technical Delegate where he officiated countless ski races from the junior through World Championship and Olympic level, including a high percentage of CU home meets. He served on the Board of Trustees for Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, the Board of the Rocky Mt. Ski Race Officials, and was recognized as the Vail Valley Foundation's Volunteer of the year in 2015 after directing the on-hill volunteer staff as the Talon Crew Coordinator from 2000 through the 2015 World Championships.
Off the mountain, he was a pilot, world traveler and avid outdoor sports enthusiast. He enjoyed mountain biking and was second in the Leadville 100 race in 2012 in his age group.
A celebration of life will be held at the Ghent residence in Edwards on Sept. 18. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Brad's honor made to the ALS Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter.
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