June 12, 2008 – Lakehead Athletics is very proud to announce the hiring of Lakehead alumnus Adam Kates as the new Thunderwolves Nordic Ski Coach. Kates is replacing former Coach Lisa Patterson who has taken a new position with the Canadian National Nordic Team. Kates will also serve as the Head Coach of the Lakehead X-C; the Nordic partnership between Lakehead, the National Training and Development Centre (NTDC), and Big Thunder Nordic Ski Club.

Kates is coming from the head coach position with the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and also served as an apprentice coach with the Ontario Ski Team at the 2008 Canadian Championships. Kates has his NCCP Level II Coaching Certification. He graduated from Lakehead in 2004 with First Class Standing in Concurrent Education.

Kates was also a very successful Nordic athlete. He won eight gold medals at the Canadian Junior National Championships, served one year on Canadian Junior National Ski Team, one year on the Under-23 National Ski Team, one year on the Canadian National Team, three years on National Team Development Centre squad based in Thunder Bay, and was the 2006 Overall Canadian Men’s Open Champion.

Lakehead Athletic Director Tom Warden said that Lakehead is very fortunate to get a coach of Kate’s quality and enthusiasm to join the Lakehead Athletic family. “We are really pleased to have Adam on board as he is very qualified and comes with an excellent résumé. I believe he will fit nicely into our team of coaches and continue Lakehead Nordic’s tradition of excellence.”

Lakehead X-C President Bert Viljakainen said Kates will be a welcome addition to the partnership. “’We are very excited to have Adam Kates as the new head coach of Lakehead X-C. Adam brings with him a wealth of high level racing experience and was the Canadian National Champion at the 2006 Cross Country Skiing Nationals held at the Lappe Nordic Centre. He is full of enthusiasm for the sport and I’m sure he will prove to be a great teacher and motivator for the athletes of the Big Thunder Nordic and the Lakehead University Nordic skiing programs.”

Kates said he is looking forward for the opportunity to continue Lakehead’s tradition of winning. “I am very excited to be coming back to Thunder Bay and to Lakehead University. My goal for this program is simple: Excellence. Lakehead University Nordic Skiing has a long history of winning and I fully intend to continue that tradition.”

Bio: Adam Kates
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Education: Honours BA in Concurrent Education at Lakehead University 2004
Coaching Certification: NCCP Level 2.

Nordic Skiing Accomplishments
Multi gold medalist Canadian Junior National Championships 1996-2000
Member of the Canadian Junior National Team 1999-2000
Member of the Canadian Senior National Team 2004
Canadian Open Men’s Nordic Champion – 2006

Coaching History
Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club – Head Coach: 2007-08
Ontario Ski Team: Apprentice Coach: 2008