Northern Michigan University's most decorated head coach, Sten Fjeldheim, has announced his retirement after 34 years as leader of the Wildcat Nordic ski team. The NMU alumnus also served stints as the head cross country running coach during his 35 years at the university.
The program's success is often attributed to the culture Fjeldheim created, which demanded a strong work ethic, and his ability to recruit talented student-athletes who conformed to that culture and excelled on the trails. He coached 102 skiing All-America award winners and claimed 15 consecutive men's Nordic skiing NCAA Central Regional titles from 2007-2021. The final eight years of that streak also included women's Nordic skiing NCAA Central Regional championships every year.
Fjeldheim first arrived at NMU as a student-athlete. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education/secondary education in 1986, and earned a master's in physical education/community college in 1993. Read the full NMU Athletics story on his retirement and career achievements here.