sense of community and mutual support became a cornerstone of her approach , both as a collegiate athlete , and later on as a coach . Beyond the athletic and academic preparation , SMS helped shape Koop ’ s personal values and leadership style . While at SMS , Koop also met her husband , David Koop . The couple ’ s connection to the school remained strong in the years after their graduation , where their romantic bond strengthened and they built a family together . They even named one of their children Stratton , which serves as a testament to their deep affection for the community .
After graduating from college , the Koops returned to Wisconsin . While there , Koop established the Mad Alpine Club in Madison . Founding and building the Mad Alpine Club was a pivotal chapter in Koop ’ s career . Drawing on her extensive background in skiing and her business degree , she built a program that quickly gained recognition for its excellence . “ I saw a need for a strong ski racing program in Madison and felt compelled to create it ,” says Koop . Her commitment to fostering a love for skiing in young athletes drove her to leave her corporate job at Fiskars Scissor Company and focus on building Mad Alpine from the ground up . “ I was able to take all of my business and marketing skills and combine them with my passion for ski racing ,” says Koop . Under her leadership , the club grew to over 150 skiers , developing some of the top talent in the region . “ Seeing the kids grow and sharpen their skills and knowing I played a part in that was incredibly rewarding .”
Top Left : Koop at her first youth ski race in La Crosse , Wisconsin . Top Right : Koop learning to ski at an early age . Middle right : The Koop family enjoying a beautiful day of skiing at Stratton . Bottom : Koop competing in an NCAA ski competition at UNH
Koop ’ s success with Mad Alpine also reinforced her belief in the importance of a well-rounded approach to athletic development . “ I wanted to create a program that not only focused on skill building , but also instilled a lifelong love for the sport .” This philosophy of nurturing both the athlete and the individual became a hallmark of her coaching style and prepared her for her future roles .
Despite her success in Wisconsin , Koop always felt a strong pull back towards Southern Vermont . The picturesque , snowy mountains and the community she loved were never far from her mind . The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic provided an unexpected opportunity for the Koops to
make the move back east . They initially settled near Killington Ski Resort , where Sydney took on a coaching role with their U10 athletes . After re-establishing her connections within the Vermont skiing community , Koop felt a strong desire to be part of a larger , more integrated program . “ We knew , ultimately , that our heart was at Stratton .” This sentiment led Koop back
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