Bio

Art Stegen has dedicated his past 40-plus years to the development of the sport of biathlon in the United States. He served as coach of the U.S. Biathlon team from 1978-81, guiding the U.S. team during the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, N.Y., and introducing women to the sport.

He medaled at the 1974 U.S. National Championships, and served as an alternate for the 1976 Olympic team. While at SUNY Orange, he ran cross country in 1964 and 1965, finishing third in the conference championship race and fifth in the Region XV championship in 1965. The 1964 team suffered just two dual meet losses.

He was the first program director for the U.S. Biathlon Association in 1981, serving for two years before becoming a teacher and coach at New Paltz High School. He coached several cross-country and track athletes to state and national championships at NPHS.

Stegen was instrumental in forming the Empire State Games and was biathlon coordinator for the New York State Ski Racing Association. While serving in the New York National Guard, he became the first New York soldier to earn All-Guard honors at the Lincoln Marathon Championships.

He directed the National Guard biathlon program from 1993 through 2003, sending many athletes to the national and Olympic teams. Stegen has also served on the USBA Board of Directors. National Team coach. He was inducted into the NYSSRA Hall of Fame in 2006 and the USBA Hall of Fame in 2009.

Upon retiring from the military, he was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal. In the early 1970s, he became the first American to be certified in cross-country skiing and biathlon at the Norwegian Sports Institute.