For cross-country — or nordic — skiers, going to a city school means possibly having to give up their sport. 

The HUski Nordic Club, founded by fourth-year and mechanical engineering major Ted Yee and fourth-year neuroscience major Greta Goldade in 2023, has become a home away from home for cross-country skiers at Northeastern. The club is not yet an official sports team, but that remains a goal for the future due to possible increased funding. 

But the club didn’t just appear out of nowhere.

“It takes a really long time to get through the process, so by the time the club actually gets going, like it is now, you’re graduating so you kind of have to be in it for other people as well,” Yee said.

Yee grew up cross-country skiing, and wants to help others learn the sport. 

“It’s really rewarding to get them able to ski on their own,” Yee said. He met Goldade through the Northeastern Club Running team. 

“I saw Ted with roller skis [dry land skis for nordic ski training], and I hadn’t seen anyone in Boston with roller skis before,” Goldade said. She raced competitively throughout high school and was excited to find a skiing community at Northeastern. 

Though the sport is small, Yee and Goldade have created a community for those who hope to continue their practice in college. 

Beck LaBash, a fourth-year computer science and physics combined major, has been a member since the club’s beginning. He considers it to be one the best things he has been a part of during his time at Northeastern. 

“I’m just so grateful for the time that I’ve spent with the club, and especially the people that are in it,” LaBash said. 

The club is currently run by president Celeste DiLeo, a third-year studio art major, who is transitioning into the presidential role this semester as Yee finishes up his time at Northeastern. The main role DiLeo plays is organizing practice and events and miscellaneous administrative duties. 

“It can be very time consuming, but since there’s a few of us on the e-board and everyone is super willing to help out since we’re so new, it’s good support to divide up the work,” DiLeo said. 

Joseph Stumpf, a second-year political science and international affairs combined major, is the training manager for the e-board, and hopes to help with outreach toward younger students. 

“They all did a lot of work getting the club off the ground and getting it founded, and now we’re trying to increase our numbers,” Stumpf said. 

Stumpf has been cross-country skiing for most of his life, and he competed throughout middle and high school. 

“It’s really good to see people loving the sport that I grew up doing,” Stumpf said.

Stumpf is part of a group of students within the club who choose to race competitively. Although they are all competing for a title, the races remain relaxed. 

“The last race I went to, the guy who got first place was in a banana suit and the guy who got second was skiing in jeans so it’s like everyone is just there to have fun,” said Kata Gilbertson, a second-year environmental studies major and the club’s social media manager. 

All members have the choice of attending races or not, and many are there to have fun, like James Wheeler. Wheeler is a first-year mechanical engineering student who joined the team for its sportsmanship. 

“I’m not a big sports guy, but I think the special thing about Nordic is the team … it’s always supportive … just the sport in general is a great social thing,” Wheeler said. 

Thea Cunningham, another new member and first-year mechanical engineering student, grew up cross-country skiing but never raced. She joined the team to continue practicing the sport for fun. 

“It’s like running for me, but just like with a little fun twist and it’s on snow, and it’s always super fun to get out,” Cunningham said. 

As the club sees a rise in popularity, the leaders and board members hope to continue its growth. One of DiLeo’s main goals is to seamlessly merge the serious and relaxed versions of the sport.  

“[I want to] implement better ways to get racers enough training time and then also teach new skiers,” DiLeo said. 

Goldade, upon entering her last semester, has a simpler goal in mind for the organization. 

“Just to stay alive,” Goldade said. “It’s been in the last year that [the club has] really grown, so that’s been exciting, and in the meantime to know it might survive past us.”