Michael Donald GALLAGHER

Mike Gallagher learned to ski from his father, who was a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division. Mike won the 1959 US Junior cross-country title and later attended the University of Colorado, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree from Castleton State College in 1967. While attending Castleton and continuing to train for the 1968 Olympics, Mike raced on the track team, setting New England collegiate records in the 880, one mile and 2-mile events. He also competed frequently in cycling, racing often in New England. Gallagher was a nine-time US Champion in cross-country skiing but was most proud of his 19th place finish at the 1968 Holmenkollen 50 km race. In distance running Gallagher was the first person to win the Mount Washington Road Race in New Hampshire four times, from 1968-71.

After his hi-level racing career ended, Gallagher became a coach, coaching the US National team from 1980-86 and serving as the Olympic cross-country coach in 1980, 1984, and 1992. He coached high school cross-country skiing for 17 years and worked for Mountain Top Inn and Mountain Meadows teaching skiing. An innovator in the ski world, Gallagher worked with several ski companies (Splitkein, Hexell, Edysbyn and Elan) to develop better fiberglass skis, and supported Bill Koch in his development of the skating ski technique. In 2007 Gallagher was inducted to the Vermont Ski Museum Hall of Fame for all his contributions to the Nordic ski industry, while in 2011 he was inducted into the Mount Washington Road Race Hall of Fame.