Conventional wisdom indicates that snap decisions are rarely the best or most thoughtful. The axiom didn’t necessarily hold true in the case of Alaska Fairbanks skiing student-athlete Einar Often, whose quick thinking saved a teammate’s season and helped his team reach a season-long goal.

Often’s selfless act also led to his being named as one of the divisional winners and one of six finalists – a male and female from each division – for the 2008 NCAA Sportsmanship Award.

One of the Alaska Fairbanks ski team’s goals during the 2007-08 season was to qualify a full Nordic team of six for the 2008 NCAA championships. Heading into the final weekend of the season, five Nanooks had locked down berths. There were no less than five others in the hunt for the Central Collegiate Ski Association’s final men’s qualifying slot, including Often and teammate Ray Sabo along with numerous other student-athletes from various competing teams.

Ultimately, it came down to the final race of the season, a 10K classic, with Sabo just one-tenth of a point away from qualifying for the championship and Often a little longer shot but still firmly on the bubble as well.

Often described the race scene as chaotic and highly stressful with the mass start. That turned out to just be a prelude to the drama that would unfold moments later. One kilometer into the contest, Sabo broke one of his ski poles. Seeing his teammate’s pole break, Often made a quick decision that averted what most certainly would have been a crushing end to Sabo’s season and perhaps the team’s goal: Often gave Sabo his own pole, effectively ending his own chase for a national championship berth.

“The grips on the poles are little bit different so it matters if it is your right or left pole,” said Often. “I just yelled, ‘do you need your left or your right?’ He answered and I gave him the pole.”

Often recalled how Sabo shouted his thanks and raced to one of the finest performances of his collegiate career, finishing eighth and securing the coveted berth. Often finished 23^rd after receiving a replacement pole from another coach.

Though the decision was made in the heat of the moment, the junior economics major from Norway knew exactly what he was doing.

“I knew my teammate had a greater chance than me. I felt it and just right there and then it seemed like the right thing to do,” he said. “He told me after the race that he was shocked.”

Perhaps even more surprising, Often’s selflessness didn’t stop when he crossed the finish line of the last race of the season. He paid his own way to travel to the championships in Montana in March and while there served as a student assistant to the team, waxing skis and supporting his teammates.

Often certainly didn’t give up his pole for the recognition that has followed, and he admits to being surprised and a little baffled by the resulting attention.

“I don’t think I understand how big of a deal this is, but of course, I am really honored,” said Often of being named as one of the divisional winners of this year’s NCAA Sportsmanship Award. “When I gave Ray Sabo the pole in that race, it was enough for me that he qualified (for nationals).”

Although he sacrificed his own chance at a championship berth, Often didn’t walk away empty handed – and he hopes others who hear his story won’t, either. He said the experience reinforced the idea of never giving up, pointing out that Sabo was one second away from qualifying, broke a pole in the final race and still went on to accomplish his goal.

Often also said the incident once again demonstrated the power of teamwork.

“With teamwork, you can achieve amazing things,” he said.

Central Washington softball student-athlete Mallory Holtman and the St. John Fisher baseball program were chosen as the overall winners of the 2008 NCAA Sportsmanship Award. This is the ninth year for the honor, which recognizes student-athletes who have demonstrated one or more of the ideals of sportsmanship, including fairness, civility, honesty, unselfishness, respect and responsibility, through their actions in the competitive arena of intercollegiate athletics. Recipients are selected by the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct.