Middlebury associate head alpine ski coach Abby Copeland will take over at the helm of the program on August 4, Director of Athletics Erin Quinn '86 announced on Tuesday, June 17. On Monday, current head coach Stever Bartlett shared the news that he will step down from his position on August 3 to pursue other coaching opportunities. 

"I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to continue the legacy of success built under Stever's leadership, and I am equally excited to guide the program into its next chapter," said Copeland. "It is comforting to have built a great relationship with the Middlebury community over the last decade and to feel at home up on the hill at the Snowbowl. I feel fortunate to have had 16 amazing years of growth and support working alongside Stever, and I will miss him dearly. His belief in me, along with Erin and the rest of our department, gives me great confidence in this next adventure with Middlebury skiing."

Copeland joins the rare ranks of women head coaches, as the Panther alpine ski program becomes just the third of 23 in the country to currently have a female at the helm. 

"We are thrilled to promote Abby Copeland to head coach of men's and women's alpine skiing," said Quinn. "The transition to Abby as head coach should be seamless in that she has served as the associate head coach since 2016, and has performed many head coach duties. Abby's passion combined with a thoughtful, student-centered approach will translate well into the head coaching role. She has worked closely with Stever to run an outstanding alpine ski program and is well positioned to continue to grow the program and to support our student-athletes to perform their best and fulfilling lives at and beyond Middlebury."

Copeland joined the Panther program in 2009 as an assistant coach before being elevated to the associate head coach role in 2016. During her time at Middlebury, she has coached four Olympians, four NCAA team champions (slalom and giant slalom), and the 2015 national champion in slalom. In 2013, Copeland was named the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) Coach of the Year. 

A 2006 graduate of St. Lawrence, Copeland was a four-year member of both the alpine ski and field hockey teams. She earned her master's degree in education from her alma mater in 2009.