Wally Wakefield joined the St. Paul Junior Ski Club in 1944, became active in the senior club following World War II, and continued for more than 60 years to be actively involved in the club.

In the 1950s he competed for the University of Minnesota and was a medal winner in the NCAA Championships. He won the St. Paul Ski Club Memorial Trophy for outstanding competitor in 1960 and 1967.

He served as club president three times, and also held the office of corresponding secretary and other positions on the St. Paul Ski Club Board of Directors.

Wakefield was also active in the USSA Central Division Ski Jumping Panel, the National Ski Association Ski Jumping Committee, and served as a divisional ski jumping coach.

As a result of his interest in junior activities, he organized and directed junior training camps and junior competitions throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Wakefield began and headed the St. Paul Interscholastic high school skiing program.

He created a “Sparky Ski-Jump-A-Thon” through which junior and senior ski club members, over a 15-year period, raised near $30,000 to assist with the special needs of mentally retarded persons.

His direction of the St. Paul Ski Club publicity and public relations activities for more that 20 years was outstanding. It resulted in better media coverage and greater general public knowledge of ski jumping activities than at any other period in the club’s history.

His enthusiastic leadership in these areas has resulted in many new members who have become club leaders for now and in the future, thus ensuring a bright future for the St. Paul Ski Club.