Chiharu “Chick” Igaya, a Japanese National, came to the United States to further his education at Dartmouth College. Igaya was the Japanese “goodwill ambassador” of skiing for more than twenty years and a friend of all who competed with him. He was a fierce competitor who left his friendship at the start house.

Chiharu “Chick” Igaya is a Japanese National who was born in 1935. He became a superb alpine skier.

Coming to the United States in 1952 to further his education, Chick entered Dartmouth College. He skied on the Dartmouth Ski Team for four years and was elected captain of the Dartmouth Team in 1957.

While at Dartmouth, Igaya won five National ski Association Championships, including the slalom at Aspen, Colorado, the National Downhill at Franconia, New Hampshire in 1955, the alpine-combined in both 1954 and 1955 and the giant slalom in 1960. He also held six National Collegiate Athletic Association titles.

While in the United States, Chick was phenomenal and added to the quality of the United States and Canadian ski scene from 1952 to 1957. His North American record included six National Collegiate slalom and downhill titles and five National Ski Association alpine titles. Chick’s international record prior to and after Dartmouth is legendary. Igaya was a member of the Japanese Olympic Teams in 1952 at Oslo, Norway, the 1956 Team at Cortina, Italy (where he won the silver medal in slalom) and the 1960 Team at Squaw Valley, California. He also was a member of the Japanese F.I.S. Team at Bad Gastein, Austria.

Chick has been Japan’s “goodwill” skiing ambassador for many years. Well-liked by his peers, he was as friendly and good natured with his ski friends and fans as he was fierce as a competitor.

Igaya has remained an active member in the sports world. He has been a member of the F.I.S. Alpine Committee and the F.I.S. World Cup Committee, a member of the advisory staff to the Japanese Ski Association, special advisor to the Japanese Amateur Sports Association and special advisor to the Japanese Ministry of Education and of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for sports issues. Remaining active in Olympic affairs over the years, Chick has served in various capacities.

Chiharu “Chick” Igaya was elected to the U.S. National ski Hall of Fame in 1971 in a special “foreign category” and was granted a special age waiver of the 40-year-old minimum age.