Beginnings
No Excuses Unlimited’s creation began in 1995. John Fox, father of a member of the US Disabled Ski Team, realized many members of the team were unable to train and compete due to their financial situation. John, along with Jack Benedick and others, organized and began fund raising for the athletes. Watch the video by clicking the History link to the right to understand the passion of the board and the need the organization is helping to fulfill.
Jack Benedick
Who was Jack Benedick? Besides one of the founding members of No Excuses Unlimited, Jack was a relentless advocate for adaptive skiing over four decades. His efforts resulted in U.S. athletes achieving hundreds of Paralympic and World Championship medals and the elevation of the sport to the highest level globally.
Jack lost both legs in Vietnam but didn’t lose the will to fight. He returned to the war — the only double amputee to serve on active military duty — and then became a tireless pioneer in adaptive skiing. Benedick, who passed away in 2013, was introduced to skiing while he was at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center recovering from his war wounds. After the war, skiing became his life.
He competed twice in the Paralympics, claiming a silver medal in 1984. After retiring as a competitor, he led the National Handicapped Sports Association (now called Disabled Sports USA). Working with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association, he created the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.
As a pioneer of adaptive skiing, Jack Benedick made a difference for generations of athletes. In the ’90s, Benedick drove his message international with the 1994 acceptance of adaptive skiing by the International Ski Federation and later stepped up his role with the International Paralympic Committee. In 2006, the IPC recognized him with presentation of the Paralympic Order. In 2010, he was inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
The evolution of the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team, the prominence of U.S. athletes over two decades and the growth of adaptive skiing within the Paralympics can all be tracked back to Jack. In fact, it’s not a stretch to consider Jack as this country’s Father of Competitive Adaptive Skiing. He was an iconic figure and was a significant leader in the Paralympic Movement who demanded and delivered excellence. Jack was a very special man: a fearless skier, a tireless advocate, a caring father, a loving husband, a great friend, and clearly, an unforgettable soldier and great leader. No Excuses Unlimited was created in 1996 with Jack leading the way. He served as its chairman until 2010.
As a way to honor Jack’s memory, No Excuses Unlimited created the Victory Incentive Program (VIP). Jack was known to quip that ”fourth place doesn’t count.” The VIP is designed to reward the alpine, Nordic and snowboard team athlete who achieves top podium status on the race course during the season. Each year at the Adaptive Spirit annual event, the award is presented to one member of each team.