The feature-length documentary film Coach Matt and the Outdoor ‘Cats follows an adventure-packed year with the Paul Smith’s College Nordic ski team located in this tiny hamlet in the heart of the Adirondacks.
The documentary is set to premiere at the Harrietstown Town Hall in Saranac Lake on February 8, 2025 at 5:00pm.
The evening will serve as a welcome home for the Paul Smith’s College Nordic athletes and coach Matt Dougherty. They are preparing to represent the United States at the FISU World University Games in Torino, Italy from January 13-23, 2025.
In the documentary, filmed in the season of 2023-2024, the College’s co-ed team and their coach overcame physical and personal adversity in grueling marathon canoe races, ski jumping and biathlon, as well as tests of endurance in their pursuit of national championships in the competitive sport of cross-country skiing.
Viewers are brought inside the lives of this entire group as they travel, train, compete and seek encouragement from one another. It is a seldom told, yet compelling story of life in the Nordic ski world.
“We are incredibly proud of our student/athletes and Coach Dougherty for representing the United States at the 2025 World University Games in Torino,” said Kathy Bonavist, Executive VP Advancement & Enrollment at Paul Smith’s College. “This honor reflects not only their skill and dedication, but the resilience, teamwork, and lessons learned in the outdoors. Guided by Coach Dougherty, they remind us that success is about more than competition—it’s about character. We’ll be cheering them on as they carry the spirit of Paul Smith’s College and the Adirondacks to the world stage.”
The film is directed and produced by Robert Jury. His recent narrative feature Working Man starred Peter Gerety and Talia Shire and has been Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.workingmanmovie.com/).
“Hidden deep in the big woods of the Adirondacks, there is an assembled wealth of small but mighty treasures,” said Jury. “Coach Matt Dougherty, his Nordic ski team, and Paul Smith’s College… the stories of these endurance athletes amid this beautiful place are truly extraordinary and life-affirming.”
Coach Matt and the Outdoor ‘Cats co-producer Mike Murray is founder and president of Adrenaline Films. Adrenaline is a full-service production and post production company with clients and projects worldwide. For more info – https://adrenalinefilms.com/.
The documentary includes the College’s student/athletes who will race in the FISU Games. They will be in attendance on February 8, 2025.
The entire team prepares for their winter seasons at the E. Philip Saunders Nordic and Biathlon Stadium. The trail network is an official training site for USA Nordic and US Biathlon.