Gardner is now in his sixth season as the "Terry L. Aldrich Nordic Skiing Coach Chair" as the head coach of the men's and women's nordic ski teams. He came to Middlebury from Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) in Carbondale, Colo., where he has served as the nordic coach since 2000 and nordic program director since 2003.

At Middlebury, he has coached several All-Americans, including stand-out Patrick Johnson. Following the '12 season, Gardner was named the EISA Nordic Coach of the Year.

During his six years at CRMS, Gardner has coached a collection of the best nordic skiers in the state. He comes to Middlebury with an immense and advanced knowledge of training, technique and waxing skills.

Gardner was not only a coach at the CRMS, he was also a faculty member in the English department, teaching a course in Western philosophy. Over the last six years, he has been involved with several international trips for his skiers, including directing a summer of 2005 trip to New Zealand.

Prior to his arrival at CRMS, Gardner worked as a trainer for the world junior biathlon team. He did his collegiate skiing at NESCAC-member Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Gardner graduated from Bates cum laude in June of 2000, earning a degree in literature. He has also spent a summer working on a master’s degree in English at Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English.