University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

Ben Buck is entering his fourth season on the Alaska Nanooks Nordic Ski Team coaching staff, and his first as Interim Head Coach, in 2025-26.

In three years with the Nanooks, he has helped lead the team to 15 individual NCAA All-American and two individual National Championship performances. He has also served as a coach and wax tech for multiple international teams during his tenure. He was the head wax tech for Team Estonia at the 2023 World University Games in Lake Placid, NY, where Mariel Pulles took home four individual medals, including Gold in the 15k freestyle and the freestyle sprint. At the 2024 Minneapolis World Cup, he represented the US Ski Team as a personal coach and wax tech for Kendall Kramer, while providing additional support for Rosie Fordham and the Australian National Team.

Buck joined UAF in 2022-23 and made an instant impact, assisting the 'Nooks to their best-ever finish at the NCAA Ski Championships. Alaska took seventh place at the 2023 NCAA Ski Championships, with the Nanooks men's team finishing as the highest scoring men's Nordic team and the women's team finishing third. He also helped coach four student-athletes to seven All-American honors and an individual national champion as Joe Davies took Gold in the men's 10k freestyle. As a team, the 'Nooks were the third-best Nordic team at NCAA's, earning 268 points.

2023-24

• Three NCAA All-Americans
• Four student athletes represented their home nations on the World Cup: Mariel Pulles (EST), Christopher Kalev (EST), Kendall Kramer (USA), Rosie Fordham (AUS)

2024-25

• Five NCAA All-American performances from three athletes
• Kendall Kramer NCAA National Champion 20k Freestyle and US National Champion 20k Classic
• Rosie Fordham second at World U23 Championships 10k Freestyle

2025-26

• Promoted to Interim Head Coach

“Over the past three years, UAF Skiing has soared to new heights, performing at the highest level in competitions at home and abroad," said Buck after being elevated to Interim Head Nordic Ski Coach. "I look forward to the opportunity to double down on this growth, and cement UAF as the best cross country ski program in the nation!”

Buck joined the Nanooks after spending the 2021-22 season with Clarkson University, his alma mater. Prior to joining the Clarkson staff for the 21-22 season, Buck raced for the Golden Knights' Nordic ski team from 2017-2020.