July/August 2017 PS Magazine by Professional Skaters Association

JULY/AUGUST

2017

www.skatepsa.com

2017

Photo

of the Year

Vicki Luy

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JULY/AUGUST 2017

COLUMNS 2

Over the Edge

President’s Message

Ratings

SafeSport

| Jimmie Santee | Christine Fowler-Binder

| Tim Covington | U.S. Figure Skating

Sport Science

Education

Best Business Practices

| Heidi Thibert

| Carol Rossignol

FEATURES 10

U.S. Figure Skating Rule Changes

Program Component Updates

Concussion Protocol

ISI Roll Out

Get Up Campaign

2017 Conference Re-cap

Rinkblazer: Carey Tinkelenberg

| Terri Milner Tarquini

| Terri Milner Tarquini | Liz Leamy | Terri Milner Tarquini

Congratulations Competitors!

DEPARTMENTS 7 30 38

Rating Exams Passed Professional Skaters Foundation New Members PSA Calendar of Events

Elizabeth Thornton | Editor/Advertising Carol Rossignol | Contributing Editor Amanda Taylor | Art Director

Issue No 4 |

WWW.SKATEPSA.COM

Find, Friend, Follow

» COVER: Photographer Vicki Luy has won an EDI award for her photo of Karen Chen from the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Gala Exhibition

PS MAGAZINE

OVER THE EDGE Jimmie Santee, MPD, MG

Test Refresh... Refreshing

PSA OFFICERS President First Vice President Second Vice President Third Vice President Treasurer Past President PSA BOARD OF GOVERNORS West Mid-West East

s U.S. Figure Skating continues to rebrand and refocus their direction, I am excited about the potential of the newly passed test refresh. The refresh is a more simplified scoring system using “0” as the passing standard, and ranging from -3 to +3 like the GOE used in IJS. It provides consistency between testing and IJS scoring and also removes the serious error restriction which allows the judge to exercise their judgment in the best interest of the tester. It rewards the skater’s strengths rather than a “check the box” approach. Makes sense to me. Test requirements now reflect the Well-Balanced Free Skate with minimum technical elements and program duration. No more need to have a test program and a competition program. Makes sense to me. I especially like the new addition of passing with honors and passing with distinction. Why not reward skaters who exceed the standard by a wide margin? Again, it makes sense to me. In the July 2015 issue of PS Magazine, I wrote the following, “Coaches and judges also constantly complain about the standards of tests. The quality of skating and the disparity of passing standards between regions are the main issues. Coaches putting out tests that are not ready and judges whose standards are too lenient perpetuate de-evolution (of skating skills). This is where we need to put our resources. We need to overhaul the test structure to develop our skaters to today’s standards. If the powers that be believe our skaters are too slow, then add speed and power to the free skate, pair, dance, and moves tests. Train the judges to a higher standard.” This is an opportunity to do just that. Interestingly, not all judges like the changes, specifically passing with honors or distinction. Some of the arguments were that it puts too much pressure on kids, and that “patsy judges” would just give away the designations to undeserving testers. What actually changes for the “patsy judges?” That doesn’t makes sense to me. In my opinion, pressure is inescapable and a part of life. Testing in general is pressure. Pressure is how you make a diamond. As for the passing of tests by “patsy judges,” I am against the argument that because of a few cases of low standards, the majority should not have the opportunity to excel. The most debatable change, however, came with the test credit from an IJS competition protocol. Clubs specifically were concerned about lost testing revenue. Competing up a level at a non-qualifying competition, a skater or team would need to achieve the minimum required passing score. At the competition the skater obtains: 1) The verified list from the accountant, 2) A copy of their protocol, and 3) A copy of the event results, signed by the Technical Controller and Event Referee. The paperwork, however, does not have to be immediately filed.

JULY/AUGUST 2017

Members at Large

Committee on Professional Standards Ratings Chair Seminar Chair ISI Rep to PSA U.S. Figure Skating Rep to PSA PSA Rep to U.S. Figure Skating Executive Director Legal Counsel COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Awards Coaches Hall of Fame Education Seminars Apprentice Program Area Representatives Hockey Skating PS Magazine Sport Science Endorsements Executive Executive Nominating Finance Ethics and Legal Nominating Professional Standards PSA Rep to ISI Ratings Special Olympics FCC

Christine Fowler-Binder Alex Chang Rebecca Stump Tim Covington Carol Murphy Angela Riviello Phillip Mills Michelle Lauerman Teri Klindworth Hooper Patrick O'Neil Tim Covington Janet Tremer Cindy Sullivan Jason Dilworth Carey Tinkelenberg Robbie Kaine Tim Covington Don Corbiell Scott McCoy Kirsten Miller Zisholz Kelley Morris Adair Jimmie Santee David Shulman Tim Covington Angie Riviello Rebecca Stump Don Corbiell Janet Tremer Gloria Masterson Leous Paul Paprocki Bob Mock Heidi Thibert Jamie Santee Christine Fowler-Binder Angie Riviello Carol Murphy David Shulman Angie Riviello Robbie Kaine Gerry Lane Tim Covington TBD Carol Rossignol

PSA AREA REPRESENTATIVES Area Area Area Area Area Area Area Area Area

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Martha Harding Anne Marie Filosa Lee Cabell Tim Covington Angela Roesch-Davis Kevin Curtis Tracey Seliga-O’Brien Melanie Bolhuis Lisa Bardonaro-Reibly

Area Area Area Area Area Area Area Area

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Stacie Kuglin Brigitte Carlson-Roquet Sharon Brilliantine Liz Egetoe Lisa Mizonick Don Corbiell Josselyn Baumgartner Gloria Leous

DISCLAIMER: Written by Guest Contributor | PSA regularly receives articles from guest contributors. The opinions and views expressed by these contributors are not necessarily those of PSA. By publishing these articles, PSA does not make any endorsements or statements of support of the author or their contribution, either explicit or implicit. THE PROFESSIONAL SKATER Magazine Mission: To bring to our readers the best information from the most knowledgeable sources. To select and generate the information free from the influence of bias. And to provide needed information quickly, accurately and efficiently. The views expressed in THE PROFESSIONAL SKATER Magazine and products are not necessarily those of the Professional Skaters Association. The Professional Skater (USPS 574770) Issue 4, a newsletter of the Professional Skaters Association, Inc., is published bimonthly, six times a year, as the official publication of the PSA, 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Tel 507.281.5122, Fax 507.281.5491, Email: office@skatepsa.com © 2017 by Professional Skaters Association, all rights reserved. Subscription price is $19.95 per year, Canadian $29.00 and foreign $45.00/year, U.S. Funds. Second-class Postage Paid at Rochester, MN 55901 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER send address changes to The Professional Skater, 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Printed in the USA.

There is an expiration date of a year. Noted in the rationale with the rule changes “…empowers the coach to make training decisions that are in the best interest of their skater’s development.” I really like this. For information regarding the test refresh and new rules passed at the 2017 Governing Council, read Juliet Newcomer's article on page 10 or check out the technical page at www.usfsa.org. The term “patsy judges” was used at the 2017 Governing Council by an opponent of the passing with honors and passing with distinction designation and was used in reference to judges who have a reputation for passing all tests.

“The Joy of Coaching is about you and who you are as a coach today. It is about your coaching heritage, your skating DNA and where you sit in the coaching family tree.” ~ Bob Mock, PSA President 1994-1999

Order your copy at www.skatepsa.com Be on the look out for implementation dates!

ese f th als o h Eac edentilable r c avai al: a r e r e n ew for

PSA Membership gure U.S. Fi nd/or ga Skatin embership ISI m

U.S. Figure Skating Continuing Education Requirement (CER) completion

l ity PSA Liabi ce Insuran gure U.S. Fi Coaches g Skatin ation and/ r Regist background or ISI check

Did you remember to renew? To avoid delays, complete these items prior to July 1 every year.

www.skatepsa.com As a coach, it is your responsibility to know which professional credentials are required of you. The items listed above may not apply to every coach, and your individual state, city, facility, or club may require additional credentials.

PS MAGAZINE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Christine Fowler-Binder, MPD, MG

Coaching Philosophy A

very interesting question was posed to me at the PSA Conference by Mitch Moyer, Director of High Performance at U.S. Figure Skating. Mitch asked, “What is your coaching philosophy?” I have to be truthful and admit I had never really given it much thought, but it was a perplexing question. So after conference, I reflected on my own coaching habits and did some research. Sports coaching philosophy can be defined as a set of values, governing principals, and beliefs which determine why you do what you do, and how you behave in the context of your coaching role. The fundamentals of a meaningful sport coaching philosophy should contain your answer to “why do I coach?” Having a set of values, principals, and beliefs helps you ensure consistency in your coaching and allow you to attain desirable results. Consistency in your coaching behavior creates respect and trust in your athletes, leading to a quality relationship (Athlete Assessments, Bo Hanson). To help you create your coaching philosophy, focus on these eight principals (Coaching Track & Field by Mark Guthrie): • Be yourself • Define your coaching objectives • Establish rules • Build and nurture relationships with athletes • Be organized • Involve your assistant/team coaches • Help athletes manage their stress • Focus on the big picture

because they are focused more on making the sport safe and fun. However, their philosophy will evolve with time as they settle on values and behaviors they are most confident with in their coaching role. Even more experienced coaches will notice that their coaching philosophy evolves throughout their career until a time when they are comfortable and confident with the way they make decisions for their athletes in various situations. Life experiences, as well as coaching experiences, will shape values and principals throughout your career. Most of us can reflect on a test session or competition where our athlete performed their best and we as coaches reflect on what we did to help them achieve this success and in the future we try to duplicate this process. And then there are the times where our athlete did not skate well and ended up with disappointing results. We ask ourselves what we could have done better, so that it doesn’t happen again. I think we all can agree that we learn from life’s lessons and we adapt and mold our coaching philosophy accordingly.

It has been shown that more inexperienced coaches have a difficult time determining their coaching philosophy

TOP: Board dinner

honoring David Shulman LEFT: PSA President Christine FowlerBinder addresses attendees at Conference RIGHT: PSA Board of Governors meeting prior to Conference PHOTOS BY MARK WALENTINY

JULY/AUGUST 2017

Ariel Craig Boss of her novice short program Queen of the spelling bee

#GetUp

WeGetUp.com

RATINGS Tim Covington MFS, MM, RC

Learning Through Ratings I

t’s that time of year… new memberships, new CERs, and new competitions. In keeping with that theme, a new Ratings Chair was appointed at the 2017 Conference: me! Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tim Covington and I coach in the New York/ New Jersey area. My teaching has ranged from athletes in group lessons to national competitors. I have a Master of Fine Arts in Acting, and believe it or not, I use it every day in figure skating! Time spent in my garden and my pet menagerie of three dogs, two parrots, two canaries, and a school of koi helps keep me balanced. I currently perform several jobs for the PSA: Area Representative for Area 4–North Atlantic, Awards Chair for the annual banquet, and 3rd Vice President. While I happily perform these tasks, my PSA passion has always been education and ratings. I firmly believe that achieving a rating in any discipline is one of the best ways to educate yourself as a coach. I am proud to say I have earned my master free skate, master moves, and registered choreography ratings. In the process, I have learned that it is not about the test. The true value is what I learned in the preparation. This process holds enormous value for coaches of all disciplines and in all career stages. I am ready to take on the challenge of getting each of you excited about embarking on or continuing with your personal ratings journey. I wholeheartedly believe this is a professional path well worth travelling. Nelson Mandela once said “I never lose. Either I win or I learn.” Learning is the key to winning. In ratings you either pass (and learn) or you learn. I’d like to share with you some things I have learned along the way:

1. I believe that to be ethical one must be competent. A rating is the format our profession offers to test current competency. Passing a rating validates this. 2. Preparing for a rating provides you with the opportunity to examine both your informational knowledge AND your ability to teach that knowledge. Both are required for coaching excellence. 3. Taking a rating is like skating. It requires practice, preparation, and planning to succeed. It also requires the knowledge that not everything may go as practiced, prepared, and planned. Such is life. Get up and try again.

Newly master rated coaches at a special reception during the 2017 Conferennce.

4. When preparing for a rating alone, you will only ask yourself questions to which you already know the answers; you will gloss over the gaps in your knowledge. Prepare with others. Not only is it more comprehensive, but it’s FUN! Attend Ratings Prep or sign up for the Apprentice Program or find a study buddy. You’ll never regret it and you will probably make at least one friend for life. 5. Revisiting skating through the eyes of a teacher, not a participant, is illuminating! Few who started as children remember how they learned a three-turn, bunny hop, one-foot spin, or an Axel. Ratings preparation brings to the conscious level all those things done sub-consciously. Explaining these things takes understanding to an entirely different level. 6. Breaking down a skating skill is an art form and a skill to be learned and mastered. We have all been in the position where skaters have acquired a skill in spite of our teaching not because of our teaching. Ratings can change that by teaching a coach to see parts, develop systems, and recognize skill similarities. Checking your ideas, methods, and strategies brings clarity of vision to teaching. 7. It’s important to start taking ratings with the levels and in the disciplines that you have skated and taught. This allows for discovery of the principles basic to skating in a framework of familiar skills. It also illuminates the threads connecting our web of skating skills. 8. Gaps in your knowledge will be exposed! Don’t be embarrassed or afraid, but don’t ignore the holes. Continued on page 11

JULY/AUGUST 2017

Recently Passed

Congratulations coaches!

RATING EXAMS Congratulations to the following coaches who passed the Basic Accreditation (BA) written rating exam in the PSA E-learning Academy:

PSA E-Learning Academy Sara Bucio Maria Fernanda Cerezo Kate Charbonneau Angela Gubala Morgan Irvin Lauren Kriegel Bonnie Lynch Fallon Racine Emily Sanders Katie Shepherd Kelly Sircher Jackie Tomsik Emily Vogel Dr. Leah Weinberg Danielle Wolosek

Congratulations to the following candidates who passed a rating exam:

Nashville, TN | May 22-23, 2017 Konstantin Baradakov SM Stephanie Bass CC, SC Lisa Bosecker-Henderson CG Sara Bucio RFS Michele Cantu Felix SFS, RM Dorothi Cassini RF, CF Maria Eugenia Cerezo RFS, RM, RG Maria Fernanda Cerezo RFS, RM, RG Gina Cline CG Lyssa Cobb CM, SD Vikki Orwoll Dalquist SD Ashley Deavers CD Marci Drost RM Erin Egelhoff CFS Elizabeth Egetoe CF Kelly Garrity RS Jacques Gilson SM Carrie Greene SFS Carly Harris-Koleczko RFS Craig Henderson SPD Joy Hoedel-Elder SM

Brock Huddleston CM Katherine Jaessing RM, RG Jessica Mills Kincade CFS Garrett Kling CM Valerie Knopp CM Lauren Kriegel RM, RG Balam Labarrios RFS Amy Ladogana CG Renee Lynn Lepley SM Matthew Lind RFS, CFS Brittany Marshall RM, RD Kate McSwain SC Shannon Middleton RM Kayla Migliore RG Erica Miller RFS, RM Fernando Montiel RFS John Mucko RM Eric Lee Mumper CM Rachel Patterson RFS Angie Payton RM Camille Pitman RG

Thomas Kevin Poit RM Rick Reyor RM, RG Elena Rodrigues RFS, RM Sheila Romanus RM,RG Megan Roth SG Emily Sanders RG,RC Yeaji Shin SC Alina Sokolianski RFS Kristina Soto RG Tommy Steenberg RFS, RC, CC Brenda Tarkinton RM Stacey Tiggard RM, RG Margarita Tyler RFS, CM Sarah Vanderpool CG Mallory Wetherington RM Jessica Williams RM, RD Cecelia Wisner RM Danielle Wolosek RM Amber Yandura RPD

CONGRATULATIONS MASTER COACHES! Konstantin Baradakov MM Kevin Curtis MM Kelly Hobbs MM Grant Huang MFS

Andrea Kunz-Williamson MFS Jamie Lane-Youtsey MM Craig Maurizi MFS Lezlea Miller Zessin MM

Doris Papenfuss-Swartz MG Yeaji Shin MC Mindi Swallow-Priskey MM Paula Trujillo MPD

Congratulations to the following coaches and their master-rated mentors for completing the PSA Apprentice Program: Apprentice:

Level & Discipline:

Mentor(s):

Christy Donat-Germain Rachel Miller

Level 2 Free Skating Level 1 & 2 Group Instructor

Karl Kurtz MFS Jaime Kalnicky MG

Calla Urbanski-Petka MM Susan Jackson Wagner MC Kathy Wolff-Baradakov MG

Congratulations to the following coaches on their Emeritus rating: Ronald Ludington ~ Newark, DE Emeritus-17: MFF-63, MP-69, MDFD-69 Evelyn Muller Kramer ~ Rancho Mirage, CA Emeritus-17: MFF-82, CG-82

Are you looking for additional PSA credits? Do you have an idea for a seminar or education event in your area? Good news! The PSA is now offering an exciting new opportunity to broaden our outreach for educational credits and coaching seminars. We are looking for educational partners and events that we can put a stamp of approval on and endorse. We recognize that you are always looking for ways to obtain PSA educational credits. This new venture will help us partner with educational events in your area for PSA credits. Event coordinators will be responsible for finding speakers and setting their agenda, which will be reviewed by PSA as part of the endorsement application. PSA will help with marketing and promotion of endorsed events. If you have an idea for an event or are interested in an endorsement, please contact Carol Rossignol at crossignol@skatepsa.com or visit skatepsa.com for more information. PS MAGAZINE

SAFESPORT

CERs: You Spoke, We Listened B y H e i d i D e L i o T h i b e r t, P S A C o ach i n g D e v e l o p m e n t D i r e ct o r a n d A n n M i k sch , P S A E x e c u t i v e A ss i sta n t

ou asked for an easier process, and we simplified it by merging the CER courses. The 2017 Governing Council amended U.S. Figure Skating Official Rulebook rules: MR 5.11, MR 5.12, MR 5.13 and MR 5.14 to eliminate confusion and simplify the compliance process. Coach Compliance will change with the 2018-19 season, and the new structure will open in the PSA E-learning Academy on January 1, 2018.

Designations Under the restructure, there will no longer be a differentiation between Category “A” & “B” in terms of the courses to complete annually. Instead of being designated as Category “A” or “B”, all coaches and choreographers will be referred to as “Professional Coach or Choreographer”. These are coaches who coach, train, or instruct one or more skaters or teams who are participating in any U.S. Figure Skating or member club activities other than group lessons. This includes, but is not limited to, primary coaches, choreographers, assistant coaches, and element specialists. When the structure changes, what is currently Category “C,” (all coaches who teach group lessons only, as part of a Learn to Skate USA program) will be referred to as “Professional Group Instructors.” CER courses for this group will remain complementary and highly encouraged, but not mandatory, except when rinks or clubs require it. Category “D” presently exists for any individuals performing as sports psychologists, physical therapists and athletic trainers who are working with skaters or teams at any U.S. Figure Skating or member club activities, but will be referred to as “Professional Sports Science Support Services.” *Note that an individual who performs sport science support services and also performs duties as a professional coach or choreographer must meet “Professional Coach (or Choreographer)” requirements. The change is that these individuals will be required to complete a SafeSport course.

Requirements: Other Coach Compliance requirements will not change, and all coaches must continue to complete the following requirements on an annual basis by July 1 of each year:

JULY/AUGUST 2017

I. Professional Coach or Choreographer Compliance: 1) Must be a current full member of U.S. Figure Skating 2) Must be a current full PSA member (if coaching skaters/teams in qualifying events at U.S. Figure Skating qualifying competitions; See rule 1022) 3) Must successfully pass a background check (if 18 years or older) 4) Must complete the CER SafeSport training course and any additional courses as required in rule MR 5.12 (one in each CER topic area or as determined by the Coaches Committee) 5) Must submit proof of current general liability insurance with limits of $1 million per occurrence/$5 million aggregate II. Professional Group Instructor Compliance: 1) Must be registered as a Learn to Skate USA instructor member and complete the annual online certification course. 2) If 18 years of age or older, must have successfully passed the annual background screen. III. Professional Sports Science Support Services Compliance: 1) Must complete the CER SafeSport training course 2) Must successfully pass a background check (if 18 years or older) 3) Must submit proof of current general liability insurance with limits of $1 million per occurrence/$5 million aggregate 4) Must submit an affidavit from their professional certification organization (www.skatepsa.com). Proof of Certification can be scanned to cer@skatepsa.com or sent to: PSA 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester MN 55902

Rationale The change to require a SafeSport course every year for every coach addresses a recommendation that all individuals who have contact with minor athletes take SafeSport training every year. Adding this requirement to the rules ensures that coaches will do so. It also allows this training every year to

count for CER credit. More SafeSport course topics will be developed for a variety. The SafeSport course will be prepaid for everyone each year until the deadline of July 1. Another benefit of the change is that it standardizes CER educational opportunities for all coaches. Previously, CAT B coaches had no access to IJS courses, whereas now they will. With the increasing popularity of competitions using the ISU Judging System below the juvenile level, coaches at levels below juvenile need access to information and education to help them prepare their athletes to transition from 6.0 to IJS. The requirements will be for each coach to take four courses per year with one course completed in each topic area: (1) SafeSport (2) Rules of Sport (combines current U.S. Figure Skating Rules and IJS Rules topics) (3) Professional Ethics (4) Sports Safety and Science

Financial impact: There will be an increase of the cost of an additional course of $35/year for current Category B coaches who complete the CER requirements by the deadline. The late price hasn’t changed for completing CERs after the July 1 deadline and is $40 per course. There will be cost of $25/year for Professional Sports Science Support Services (current Category D) coaches to be able to access the E-learning platform to take the SafeSport course each year.

Penalties Coaches who do not fulfill the requirements of coach compliance will be considered “non- compliant” members of U.S. Figure Skating and PSA, and will not be allowed to coach athletes, nor have contact either directly or indirectly, at any U.S. Figure Skating or member club activities. Coaching, or attempting to coach, without meeting the requirements may result in disciplinary action. Any renewing coach who does not fulfill the requirements of coach compliance in rules MR 5.11 (B), (C) and (D) and MR 5.12 by July 1 will be assessed a $75 late fee. *Note: Special exceptions to the late fee may be granted by the appropriate sectional vice chair of the Membership Committee. In addition, for new coaches who have not taken CER courses previously, an introductory program is opened every year after the July 1 deadline so that they can access basic courses without the late fee being assessed. Remember, the restructure won’t be available in the PSA E-learning Academy until January 1, 2018, so take your CERs this season (2017-18) as you always have.

If you have any questions regarding the E-learning Academy or CERs, please contact: Heidi Thibert at hthibert@skatepsa.com Ann Miksch at amiksch@skatepsa.com PS MAGAZINE

U.S. Figure Skating Rule Changes May 2017

This year, the Governing Council considered approximately 85 rule changes and seven bylaw changes. The biggest change coming out of the meeting was the approval of the Test Refresh project, which included multiple changes rolling out as follows: • Effective Nov. 1, 2017, skaters will be able to receive test credit for certain tests by achieving the minimum defined passing scores based on their IJS protocol at a U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned nonqualifying competition. This option will be available for juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior and senior free skate, pairs and free dance tests as well as the adult gold free skate test. The minimum scores will be determined annually by the Tests Committee with the respective discipline committee (Singles, Pairs or Dance), and published in a Technical Notification. • Also effective Nov. 1, 2017, the test requirements for adult gold and pre-preliminary through senior free skate tests will be amended to better align with the well-balanced singles free skate requirements. The minimum requirements to pass a test will not change, but skaters will have more flexibility in which elements they can perform to pass a test at a test session. • Effective Sept. 2, 2018, all tests judged at a test session will be marked on a scale ranging from -3 to +3, in whole number increments, with “0” equal to passing average for test level expectations. Here is a summary of additional rule changes that will have the greatest effect on coaches. COACH COMPLIANCE • Categories A and B for coach compliance will be merged into one category (Professional Coach (or Choreographer)) with four required CERs starting January 1, 2018. Professional Group Instructor and Professional Sports Science Support Service will remain separate categories. PARTNERING TESTS • Effective July 1, 2017, any person 18 years of age or older must submit to and pass an annual background screen in order to partner minors in pair, free dance and/or pattern dance tests. The background screen must be

JULY/AUGUST 2017

Interpretation) for juvenile and below girls and boys to allow skaters at these levels to focus on the areas that will benefit them the most in their development.

taken through the U.S. Figure Skating Members Only site. Anyone who submits to and passes the annual background screen as part of coach compliance meets this requirement.

• Starting February 1, 2018, the age requirement to compete in juvenile singles events at qualifying competitions will be “under 13 years of age as of Sept. 1 prior to the regional championships”.

COMPETITIONS • Effective July 1, 2017, all singles, pairs and ice dance teams competing in IJS events will be expected to take their starting positions no later than 30 seconds after their names have been announced. (There will no longer be an additional 30 seconds granted to the first skater/team in a warm-up group.)

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING • The bye rules for synchronized sectional and U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships were revised. The call to start and warm-up rules for synchronized skating were also amended to make them more clear and consistent, and to match the ISU rules for IJS events.

• Also effective July 1, 2017, singles skaters not also entering a partnered event must compete at the regional championship held in the region in which their home club is located for all levels. This is a change for the juvenile and intermediate levels, where the principle training center or legal residence has been used to determine a skater’s competitive region for the past few seasons. Also, skaters entering a singles event in addition to a partnered event must enter a regional championship of either their home club region or the home club region of their partner, within the section they have chosen for their partnered event. A skater can no longer chose any region from within the section they have chosen for their partnered event. SINGLES • The juvenile singles and open juvenile singles well-balanced free skate and test programs now have a duration of 2:20 +/- 10 seconds. • Effective July 1, 2017, bonus points will be earned for each triple jump achieved in novice and intermediate ladies and men’s events, as well as for one double Axel achieved in intermediate ladies and men’s events, and each double Axel achieved in juvenile girls and boys events. Jumps must still be underrotated or full value to earn bonus points. • A jump combination with two triple jumps will be allowed in the intermediate singles short program starting July 1, 2017. • Also starting July 1, 2017, the number of components will be reduced to four (Skating Skills, Performance, Composition and Interpretation) for intermediate ladies and men and three (Skating Skills, Performance and

PAIRS • Effective July 1, 2017, bonus points will be added for juvenile, intermediate and novice pairs short program and well-balanced free skate events. Also, the fall deduction will be reduced to -0.5 for every fall by one partner and -1.0 for every fall by both partners in novice pairs events. • Also effective July 1, 2017, the number of components will be reduced to four (Skating Skills, Performance, Composition and Interpretation) for intermediate pairs and three (Skating Skills, Performance and Interpretation) for juvenile and pre-juvenile pairs to allow teams at these levels to focus on the areas that will benefit them the most in their development. • Finally, starting July 1, 2017, one of the two lifts required on the junior pair test and two of the three lifts required on the senior pair test must be chosen from Groups 3-5. ADULT SKATING • Amendments were made to the lift requirements in adult partnered free dance events. Also, the “step or spiral sequence” requirements for the championship adult silver, adult silver and adult bronze singles events have been changed to a “maximum of one choreographic sequence”. These changes go into effective July 1, 2017. • The number of patterns required in adult competitions has been amended for some pattern dances and will be the same for all adult partnered and solo pattern dance events at competitions starting July 1, 2017. For example, the number of sequences for the Fiesta Tango will be two for the adult

RATINGS Continued from page 6

pre-bronze dance event and the adult bronze solo dance event. • Adult gold, adult silver and adult bronze solo free dance events will be added to adult qualifying competitions, and the IJS will be used for the championship adult silver singles event, starting with the 2018 adult sectional and U.S. Adult Championships. • Some of the selected pattern dances were amended for the adult silver, adult pre-silver, adult bronze, adult pre-bronze and adult centennial partnered dance events. SPECIAL OLYMPICS/ THERAPEUTIC SKATING • Four new moves in the field tests and four new free skate tests will be available starting July 1, 2017, for any Special Olympics or therapeutic skating athletes who are registered with a Special Olympics or therapeutic skating program. These tests will be optional and in addition to the current allowance for qualified athletes to take any standard or adult tests as a Special Olympics or therapeutic skating test. COMBINED REPORT OF ACTION These changes only represent a portion of what was approved by the Governing Council on May 6. To get the full details of all of these changes and others, please see the 2016-17 Combined Report of Action, available on the U.S. Figure Skating website. The Combined Report of Action is the ONLY OFFICIAL report of U.S. Figure Skating bylaw and rule changes and contains all changes that were made by the U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors and the Governing Council this past season. As always, we caution coaches from using word-of-mouth, Facebook or other unofficial information found via the Internet to educate themselves on rule changes. Coaches should utilize the Combined Report of Action with their 2016-17 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook until the 2017-18 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook becomes available. The 2017-18 rulebook will be available online at the end of June, before the rule changes go into effect July 1. Once finalized, the rulebook will be posted online at www.usfigureskatingrules.org and made available through the U.S. Figure Skating Publications App. A link to order a printed copy will also be available on the U.S. Figure Skating website.

When explored and filled, these holes are the gift that a rating gives you to make you a more complete coach. 9. Sometimes it’s even a struggle to explain what you do know! Not being on the ice is alien. That’s why it’s important to practice. As you perfect the art of clear answers to a ratings question, you are also preparing yourself to be more precise in your instructions to your students. 10. Everyone defaults to delivering the information in the style in which you learn and teach best. Answering ratings questions forces you to deliver the information using all the learning/ teaching styles. Demonstrating, drawing, and describing your teaching methods in a rating broadens the methods you use on the ice with your students. The bonus is you will teach more efficiently and effectively to ALL your students. 11. It’s natural to want to grow and challenge yourself in your profession and sport. Ratings allow you to ethically teach beyond what you skated. Acquisition of education and a rating to validate that new knowledge can advance you beyond your own level of skating or into new disciplines. Knowledge is power. A rating signals competency. 12. Preparing for and taking a rating helps keep you fresh and current. Information evolves over time. Techniques are tweaked. Best practices change. Rules are in constant flux. Things get stale. Ratings keep you on top of the latest, allow you to become the best possible coach for your students, and to shake things up in your routine. 13. It is easier to have a great rating experience when you are currently teaching the levels included in the exam. The exam flows. The answers are organic because you are knee deep in teaching those skills. Those three common errors and exercises roll off your tongue because you saw nine of them last Thursday. It feels more like a conversation about coaching. This kind of exam is a joy to take. 14. It’s EXCITING to test yourself, to fill in gaps, to validate what you know, to meet wonderful colleagues, and to be a role model of a life-long learner for your students and colleagues. Some have described ratings as trial by fire. Perhaps that is true. I think it is more aptly described as a process that lights the fire within. Like the forging process our blades go through that make them strong, sharp, and beautiful, I believe the heat of the ratings process forges us into stronger, sharper coaches. It too is a thing of beauty. I applaud all the candidates who have put their feet to the fire and have walked into a rating exam room. Regardless of the outcome, you took a giant step in becoming a better coach. I sincerely hope you found it to be the learning experience I have and that you will join me in encouraging others to take that walk down the ratings path of self-discovery. Nashville Conference Ratings Statistics: • A total of 124 exams were taken with 79% passing. • Congratulations to 15 newly master rated coaches. • Thank you to the 53 examiners who volunteered their time. And as always, special thanks to Barb, Carol, Ann, and the entire office staff for making the Nashville ratings successful.

PS MAGAZINE

SPORT SCIENCE Heidi Thibert, MFS, MM, MC

Athletic Development B y Dav i d K o e r n e r

e have all been to a youth sporting event. Some children are running circles around the others, while some of them appear to be in the wrong place. What we see is a substantial difference in each child’s athletic ability. We are all born with varying degrees of skill competency. The children you see running circles around the others are the ones that were born with a large amount of established skill sets in place, or have developed them through their environment. The ones you see that look like they are in a foreign land trying to adapt are the ones that were born with a large amount of these skills, but remain untapped. They have not learned them from their environment. As you can imagine there are countless varying degrees of development levels. A large amount of parents and kids decide at an early age that they are not an athlete. Just imagine how many kids are missing the beauty of sport and all they have to offer. So at a time when some kids are shutting down, or being encouraged to shut down because of a lack of natural born talent, they instead need to be encouraged to learn the movements that allow them to access their athleticism. The science behind motor development has been around for decades. What has not been around, until now, is the curriculum that lays out the progressive protocol for the implementation of these skills. The confusion lies in the blending of “true” athletic development from a motor skill and physical development standpoint, and the sport specific development related to a sport. Many sport organizations have done great work surrounding the proper development of age-appropriate skill sets as it relates to their sport, but have fallen short on recommendations for a realistic plan to develop athleticism outside of their sport. The current overarching theme for long-term athletic development (LTAD) modeling is to be involved in many sports when younger in order to help develop motor skills through other sports and enable a child to develop themselves as a well-rounded athlete, resulting in a better performance in their chosen sport. This concept is incomplete, yet remains the only acceptable choice because of the lack of a “true” athletic development curriculum. What is needed is a curriculum that develops the complete athlete through proper development, according to the age and phase of the athlete, separate from the sport specific skill acquisition. In addition, it is also a very difficult concept for early

JULY/AUGUST 2017

specialization sports (like “Since most motor skills figure skating) due to are largely developed by the lack of time and the potential for overuse or the age 15, it is imperaovertraining of athletes. tive that we focus on Since most motor skills the proper development are largely developed by the age 15, it is imperaof our youth to ensure tive that we focus on they realize their true the proper development of our youth to ensure potential, and not their they realize their true perceived potential.” potential, and not their perceived potential. A basic understanding of the athletic development curriculum is laid out in phases below. Remember that these movement phases relate to athletic development as well as sport specific development. When working with athletes in a specific sport, it is important to realize that there are two systems at play and both systems must receive the correct attention. Before learning more about these phases, it is important to know that acquiring new motor skills is a process, and that process follows a specific path. The Cognitive Stage is a mental understanding of what is required from us through verbal and visual stimuli. The Associative Stage is where we practice skills to determine what movement patterns are needed and which are not in order to provide the most efficient movement pattern. And the most coveted, the Autonomous Stage, is where the athlete is so proficient is a skill that their focus is no longer on the actual movement, but on other important tasks related to their environment.

Fundamental Movement Phase (Age 4-7) This phase lays the foundation for all of the phases to follow. Most adults and youth fail to ever make it out of this phase of development. Failure to fully develop in this phase results in the inhibited ability to acquire subsequent skills. The fundamental movement phase consist of the progressive development of simplistic skills related to stability, manipulation, locomotion, and physicality. The skills the athlete acquires in this phase leads to an increase in their athleticism and their ability to assimilate new more complex skill sets.

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The transitional movement phase builds off the fundamental movement phase by taking the simplistic movement patterns and turning them into complex movement patterns. This phase takes stability, manipulation, locomotion, and physicality and puts them into combinations of movements to produce more specialized movements.

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Application Movement Phase (Age 11-13) This phase is where the focus is placed more on technique, accuracy, and quality and moves from general skill sets into more advanced sport-specific skill development. This is also the age where physical development moves outside of primitive and general to more specific and meaningful development. Where the earlier stages have been focused on the acquisition and retention of those skills, now that those general skill sets have been acquired, it is time to focus on the systems that run the movement patterns from an energy output and injury prevention standpoint.

Lifelong Utilization Phase (Age 14 - 22) This phase is when young females are moving to full maturation and young males are experiencing an increase in testosterone and coming into adulthood. The main focus from an athletic development standpoint turns to developing muscle symmetry, improving strength levels and power development, and energy systems as it they relate to the sport demands and seasons. Future champions will come from the programs that incorporate athletic development programming into their current sport specific training/coaching model. This fall will be the first release of software that will provide all athletes access to this curriculum. It will guide them through the appropriate program at their specific age and skill level. It will also allow coach, parent, and teacher interaction. David Koerner is the Founding Partner of the United States Performance Center in Charlotte, NC. He can be reached at david@usperformancecenter.com

PS MAGAZINE

Attention Coaches: Program Component Updates

eginning July 1, 2017, the following rule becomes effective (See Combined Report of Action, Item 347, Rule 4923).

The program components from novice and below have been streamlined to better fit athlete development and focus on Skating Skills (think speed, power, glide, and effortless flow in and out of elements). As indicated in Rule 4923, IJS competitions will start with three components for juvenile (and below), move to four components in intermediate and move to five components in novice. 4923 Program Component Score – Singles – IJS In addition to the technical score, the skater’s whole performance is evaluated by program components:

C. For novice, junior, senior and adult ladies and men, these five components will be: (1) Skating Skills; (2) Transitions; (3) Performance; (4) Composition; and (5) Interpretation of the Music. D. Definitions and criteria for analyzing the program components (subparagraphs remain unchanged) E. Marks for Program Components (subparagraphs remain unchanged) Additionally, there are varying percentages assigned to each component, which vary by level and create an emphasis on Skating Skills. Please note that all criteria are listed by component category, including specific ‘Focus Areas’ for juvenile and below.

A. For juvenile and below (IJS events) girls and boys, these three components will be: (1) Skating Skills; (2) Performance; and (3) Interpretation of the Music. B. For intermediate ladies and men, these four components will be: (1) Skating Skills; (2) Performance; (3) Composition; and (4) Interpretation of the Music.

NOVICE

Program Components for Singles: Novice Same as ISU document for Junior and Senior Components are weighted based on domestic development priorities Skating Skills Balance

Transitions Connection

Composition Design

Interpretation Feeling

45%

10%

15%

Defined by overall cleanness and sureness, edge control and flow over the ice surface demonstrated by a command of the skating vocabulary (edges, steps, turns, etc.), the clarity of technique and the use of eﬀortless power to accelerate and vary speed.

The varied and purposeful use of intricate footwork, positions and movements that link all elements.

Involvement of the skater physically, emotionally and intellectually as they deliver the intent of the music and composition.

An intentionally developed and/or original arrangement of all types of movements according to the principles of musical phrase, space, pattern and structure

The personal, creative and genuine translation of the rhythm, character and content of the music to movement on ice.

Use of deep edges, steps and turns Continuity of movements from one Physical, emotional and intellecelement to another tual involvement and projection

Purpose (idea, concept, vision, mood);

Movement and steps in time to the music (timing);

Balance, rhythmic knee action and Variety precision of foot placement

Carriage and clarity of movement

Pattern / ice coverage

Expression of the music’s character/feeling and rhythm, when clearly identifiable

Flow and glide

Difficulty

Variety and contrast of movements Multidimensional use of space and and energy design of movements

Use of finesse* to reflect the details and nuances of the music

Varied use of power, speed and acceleration. Speed is maintained in and out of elements.

Quality

Individuality / personality

*Finesse is the skater’s refined, artful manipulation of music details and nuances through movement. It is unique to the skater and demonstrates an inner feeling for the music and the composition. Nuances are the personal ways of bringing subtle variations to the intensity, tempo and dynamics of the music made by the composer and/or musicians.

Use of multi directional skating

Use of one-foot skating

Performance Delivery

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Phrase and form (movements and parts structured to match the musical phrase) Originality of the composition

Program Components for Singles: Intermediate Components are weighted based on domestic development priorities

INTERMEDIATE

Skating Skills Balance

Performance Delivery

Composition Design

Interpretation Feeling

55%

15%

Involvement of the skater physically, emotionally and intellectually as they deliver the intent of the music and composition.

An intentionally developed and/or original arrangement of all types of movements (transitions) according to the principles of musical phrase, space, pattern and structure

The personal, creative and genuine translation of the rhythm, character and content of the music to movement on ice.

Use of deep edges, steps and turns

Physical, emotional and intellectual involvement and projection

Purpose (idea, concept, vision, mood)

Movement and steps in time to the music (timing)

Balance, rhythmic knee action and precision of foot placement

Carriage and clarity of movement

Pattern / ice coverage

Expression of the music’s character/feeling and rhythm, when clearly identifiable

Flow and glide

Variety and contrast of movements and energy

Multidimensional use of space and design of movements

Use of finesse* to reflect the details and nuances of the music

Varied use of power, speed and acceleration. Speed is maintained in and out of elements.

Individuality / personality

Phrase and form (movements and parts structured to match the musical phrase)

Use of multi directional skating

Originality of the composition

Use of one-foot skating

Program Components for Singles: Juvenile and Below Components include full scope of ISU criteria FOCUS AREAS are italicized and bold Components are weighted based on domestic development priorities

JUVENILE & BELOW

Skating Skills Speed

Performance Delivery

60%

20%

Involvement of the skater physically, emotionally and intellectually as they deliver the intent of the music and composition.

The personal, creative and genuine translation of the rhythm, character and content of the music to movement on ice.

Use of deep edges, steps and turns

Physical, emotional and intellectual involvement and projection

Movement and steps in time to the music (timing)

Balance, rhythmic knee action and precision of foot placement

Carriage and clarity of movement

Expression of the music’s character/feeling and rhythm, when clearly identifiable

Flow and glide

Variety and contrast of movements and energy

Use of finesse* to reflect the details and nuances of the music

Varied use of power, speed and acceleration. *Speed is maintained in and out of elements.

Individuality and Personality

Use of multi directional skating

Interpretation Feeling

Use of one-foot skating

PS MAGAZINE

EDUCATION Carol Rossignol, MD, MS, MG, MPD, MFF

Levelling the Playing Field:

The Benefits of Test Track B y cla u d i a b r o w n

essica Hart loved to skate and compete. But with only one or two practice sessions a week, it became impossible to stay competitive once she advanced from basic skills to preliminary free skate. Additional skating sessions were not an option due to other demands in her life. In a previous era, Jessica would have focused entirely on testing or quit the sport completely. But now she— and many skaters like her—have the option of Test Track. Unlike Well-Balanced events where skaters perform elements far beyond the required test elements for their level, Test Track events line up with the test structure requirement. Judged under the 6.0 system, Test Track events limit the difficulty of the skating elements to create a “fair playing field to continue competing and testing according to their abilities,” according to U.S. Figure Skating. For Jessica, Test Track provided motivation. She took four skating tests in one year in order to move “up” from pre-preliminary Well-Balanced Free Skate to Test Track juvenile, the first Test Track level where Axels are allowed. She went on to place 1st, not only in her initial Test Track competition, but also in a field of 15 skaters at the State Games of America. Now 20 and a junior at University of Illinois majoring in aerospace engineering, she speaks highly of her skating experiences. “Test Track levels the playing field and makes it a more even competition between skaters, which in turn makes it more fun in my opinion,” says Jessica. Kathy Hart adds, “As a parent I feel that following the Test Track program was beneficial to my daughter. It allowed her to be more competitive with those on her level. It boosted her confidence! I will always be grateful to her coach for knowing her skaters’ abilities and helping them to learn and love figure skating!” Test Track events evolved from a task force developed “to look at the needs of all members and to create more opportunities for beginners, youth, teenagers and collegiate skaters. The philosophy was to create a two-track structure for nonqualifying events at all U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned competitions, encouraging both recreational and competitive skaters to participate,” according

JULY/AUGUST 2017

to a Skating Magazine article by Susi Wehrli, Carolyn Clausius, and Emily Feltes. Test Track was piloted in 2006, and many competitions now offer test track events; however, it remains unfamiliar in some coaching circles where landing a clean Axel is equated to pre-preliminary free skate. Test Track may be recommended to skaters for a variety of reasons: reduced practice/lesson time, goals in line with testing, and even dwindling success in Well-Balanced events. Another benefit of the Test Track is that it provides a clear stepping-stone of progression, from basic skills badge levels into the testing structure. Wehrli, Clausius and Feltes share this example: “In the competitive test track the first level Limited Beginner only allows half revolution jumps and upright spins, there are four levels with only single jumps allowed, an Axel in the juvenile test level and stair steps to a double Lutz at the senior test level. Spin requirements match the test requirements, with a step sequence and connecting steps in each level for a wellrounded program.” “Skaters may ‘bounce’ tracks from competition to competition during the season based upon test level and skill mastery,” adds U.S. Figure Skating, “Skaters may choose to participate in either the Test Track or the Well-Balanced Free Skate program events as described in the rulebook, but not both during the same nonqualifying competition.” Test Track events also provide competitive skaters with opportunities early in the skating development. Heather Piepenburg, a skating coach at Ice World in Abingdon, Maryland, says test track has been beneficial for many of her skaters. “I have been using Beginner and High Beginner levels for a long time. I have used the Test Track levels often for my young skaters who aren’t quite ready for No Test,” says Piepenburg. “Low level Test Track events are a great introduction to competitions for newer skaters who are curious about competitive skating,” she adds. “High level Test Track events provide an opportunity to continue competing while also working on higher level tests.” Adding a Test Track event to a nonqualifying competition

orlando

Jessica Hart, shown here with her 1st place medal from the State Games of America, found success and enjoyment as a Test Track competitor.

is as simple as cutting and pasting the paperwork from the U.S. Figure Skating web site. Including Test Track events benefits clubs by increasing enrollment in competitions and retaining membership. “Competitions that host these events will be offering more opportunities to keep skaters motivated along the pipeline and keep them enthusiastic about their abilities in hopes of retaining skaters who may be discouraged by the high level of technical elements at all levels,” states U.S. Figure Skating. Test Track also keeps skaters motivated to reach their testing goals while providing an opportunity to perform their test program in a competitive environment. Since its development, the program has continued to evolve. Most recently, a change was made to the Intermediate Free Skate requirements. On February 1, an additional 10 seconds was added to match the new program length for Intermediate Free Skate Test and Intermediate Well-Balanced Free Skate—making the length 2:40 +/- 10 seconds. Additional modifications may be forthcoming or may have been published since the time of printing. While there is no timeline set, Elise Preston, Chair of the U.S. Figure Skating Program Development Committee, confirms that modifications are under discussion. Continue to check the U.S. Figure Skating web site for updates and encourage your skaters to give Test Track a try. Claudia is a coach in the Baltimore, MD area.

2018

PSA Conference & Trade Show May 23 – May 26, 2018 Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista @ Walt Disney World Resort LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL

U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships and on-ice presentations: RDV SPORTSPLEX ICE DEN | ORLANDO, FL

www.skatepsa.com PS MAGAZINE

N O I S S U C CON

BY TERRI MILNER TARQUINI

t the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, defending gold medalist pairs team Tarah Kayne and Danny O’Shea withdrew from the free skate after Kayne fell in the short program and was diagnosed with a concussion. It was a clear message that the views regarding the seriousness of concussions in figure skating had evolved. “The protocol for on-ice medical emergencies was developed after the Cup of China with the collision of Yuzuru Hanyu,” said Dr. Ellen Geminiani, primary sport doctor at Boston Children’s Hospital and chair of the sports science and medicine committee for U.S. Figure Skating. “Things were not ideally handled and we wanted a totally different approach.” In 2014, on warm-up, Japan’s Hanyu, the 2014 Olympic champion,

JULY/AUGUST 2017

collided with China’s Han Yan. Both skaters were lying on the ice for a somewhat extended period of time before being helped off. Ultimately, Hanyu, bleeding from his chin and appearing dazed and gesturing to his head, resumed warm-up and competed with his head wrapped, falling five times in his program. A vivid catalyst, what’s changed within figure skating has been a protocol that more efficiently deals with such situations. It’s in keeping with what the greater medical field has discovered: concussions are serious and they need to be dealt with as such. “Diagnosis is one part of the concussion and it’s important for coaches or officials to know the signs,” Geminiani said. “But determining if it is safe for an athlete to return to the ice is the big part of the equation. A concussion

means something is happening with the brain and we need to take that very, very seriously.” In the competitive arena, ideally, a skater with a suspected concussion is immediately seen by a medical professional, but not all competitions, especially at the local level, have medical coverage. “We are educating referees as to what to look for and what the CDC international standards are with regards to concussions,” said Geminiani, a figure skater who trained under Gus Lussi and Howard Nicholson. “If no medical personnel are available at an event, then the referee evaluates and makes the call. Even if the athlete refuses to withdraw, the referee can decide to remove the athlete from the event.” The likelihood of concussion is higher, however, in a day-to-day practice environment, which is why the

Tarah Kayne and Danny O'Shea prior to withdrawing at the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships PHOTO BY VICKI LUY

message regarding the increased gravity which concussions are viewed must get to coaches. “Coaches and parents are in the best position to evaluate,” said Dr. Meeryo Choe, associate director of the UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program and an assistant clinical professor of Pediatric Neurology at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. “They are with their kids all of the time. If they have any question that something doesn’t seem right, they should be pulled out and evaluated. The risk of another injury is very high if they are cognitively affected.” The BrainSPORT program, which stands for sports safety, performance, outreach, research and treatment (SPORT), is a clinical practice for treating athletes with concussions, as well as a research center, currently involved with the largest longitudinal concussion study

ever conducted. The study involves 30 NCAA institutions from Division I to Division III schools and several military academies to baseline and further study athletes and cadets before and during their season, especially when a concussion has occurred. “Even if the athlete does not want to stop skating, the coaches or parents should be firmly handling the situation and do what’s in the best interest of the athlete,” Choe said. “No matter what level they are at, their career should be as long as they want their career to be. They need to be able to rely on and trust their coach, who is often who is at the frontlines, to be aware.” Common symptoms of concussion that a coach should be looking for include: headache, haziness, heightened emotions, loss of consciousness, forgetfulness, neurological difficulties, balance impairment, behavioral changes, slowed reaction times, and sleep disturbances. The CDC is clear: Not giving the brain enough time to heal after a concussion can be dangerous. A repeat concussion, before the brain has time to completely heal, can result in brain swelling or permanent damage. “It is incredibly important that a concussion protocol for every sport is followed,” Choe said. “There should be at least seven days before an athlete returns fully to their sport. We don’t want to send them back doing difficult things and they sustain another concussion or even a different injury within that vulnerable time period. Coaches want their athletes to come back as soon as possible, but they need to understand that they’ll be out longer if something else happens.” The first crucial step is in identifying that something might be wrong, followed by ensuring that the skater sees a medical professional. Next, and an approach that has evolved in the last decade or so, is recognizing the seriousness of a concussion, following the guidelines for an athlete to return to the ice and continuing to be on the look-out for symptoms. The week after the injury is a crucial window where an athlete needs time to let their brain get back to properly functioning. “When an athlete is concussed, there are a lot of difficulties with basic func-

tions while healing,” said Constance Johnson, education and community outreach with the BrainSPORT program. “Athletes who go back too soon are three to six times more likely to sustain another concussion.” With symptoms that can include haziness, balance impairment and slowed reaction time, figure skaters and their coaches need to be especially aware. “Obviously, these are all things that would be very detrimental to have particularly a skater suffering from,” Geminiani said. “It would be dangerous for the athlete and all of the other athletes around them.” Within the skating world, U.S. Figure Skating reaches out to medical physicians throughout the country with a national network of providers who can go to local rinks and for the last several years has been conducting webinars for referees. U.S. Figure Skating has also hosted seminars at PSA events, with an engaging roundtable held at Conference this past May. Elite athletes are also given this information at their highperformance camps. “Even with education, the athletes don’t think it’s going to happen to them,” Geminiani said. “That’s an overall adolescent problem, but they must hear it over and over again from several different sources to get the message through. Coaches are a key element in that education. No one knows their skater better than a coach and a coach will know if their skater is off and should sit them out until they can be evaluated and advised.” The sitting out part is a theory that doesn’t always jive well with figure skating, where falls are inherent and getting up and trying again are what the sport is all about. “You’re still playing hard and toughing it out, but it needs to be done in the safest way possible,” Choe said. “Coaches have to be working in the best interest of their athletes. There really is nothing more important for a coach to do.”

headsup.cdc.gov The CDC provides online training and resources for concussion in youth sports.

PS MAGAZINE

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EXCELLENCE ON ICE REQUIREMENTS To participate in the EOI program all coaches of the club or rink must be PSA members and carry liability insurance. Member coaches receive a variety of benefits which include: seminars, workshops and conferences, eligibility for ratings and accreditation, group health insurance, liability insurance, PS Magazine subscription, and job placement services. B ENEF ITS Register now and receive national and international recognition as a progressive training facility dedicated to excellence in coaching both on and off-ice. As a registered facility you will receive an ‘Excellence On Ice’ shield to be displayed in the arena, international recognition in PS Magazine, and access to a resource coordinator in the PSA office—all at no cost!

ISI Rolls Out New Logo & Improved Services & Benefits

hile the founding principles of ISI have remained unchanged for almost 60 years— to encourage ice skating as a participant sport, to provide information for the construction, development and operation of ice rinks, to serve as a resource for members and to hold annual meetings for the exchange of best practices— the organization prides itself on striving to keep pace with the dynamic industry it serves. With this in mind, ISI has made some innovative changes to improve its member services and benefits. Also, as part of a company-wide rebranding and marketing initiative, the association has changed its name to Ice Sports Industry. Along with this revised name is a fresh, vibrant logo to symbolize renewal. “The new name reflects ISI’s critical role in providing leadership and support in all facets of ice facility management, operation and programming,” says ISI President Rob McBride. ISI programs have been renamed to reinforce a strong, consistent brand identity. ISI Ice Skating Programs replaces the weSKATE name; weSKATE Instructor Training is simply ISI Instructor Training and iAIM, its educational certification program for industry professionals, becomes ISI University. Other key changes beginning Sept. 1 include:

Individual Membership Required

Skaters who participate in any ISI skating program at an Administrative member rink are required to have an ISI Individual membership. Rinks may register the skaters in “bulk” or skaters can register individually thru the ISI national office. Non-member facilities are not allowed to use the copyrighted ISI skating program.

Revised Test Registration Process

The ISI Ice Skating Program is built on the solid basics of skating with a tried and true progression of tests that are attainable and provide skaters with a sense of achievement. Individuals can excel in areas not oﬀered by other programs. ISI testing requirements have been carefully put together to develop a well-rounded skater. At the highest test levels, ISI challenges skaters to accomplish skills not normally required in the skating world, giving them a diverse and unique skill set. Registering skater tests with the ISI national office: • Fee is $3 per test, which includes coordinating test level patch

• Administrative members will be awarded 50 cents in ISI Bucks for each test registered

ISI Membership Rewards

• Administrative members will now receive $1 in ISI Bucks for every skater registered under their home rink • ISI Bucks can now be used for ISI programs, services and materials; ALL ISI membership types; and ISI National competitions

Redesigned ISI Website

• User-friendly navigation with less clickthroughs • Responsive web design for optimal viewing • New online tool that promotes member rinks through a program finder feature • Updated, easy-to-use online shopping system • Addition of member-only portal that includes resources and customizable marketing collateral

New ISI Membership Database Software System

• Simplifies test registrations and competition audits • Enables members to retrieve membership data, view current tests and print membership cards and/or certificates, plus more

FREE EDGE Competition Software

• FREE with Administrative membership* • Includes any mid-year updates *Membership term for Administrative facility or club is one year. The right to use the ISI Ice Skating Program is included in membership.

2017-18 ISI National Events

While our name has changed, our commitment to ISI skaters, coaches and programs hasn’t and won’t change, according to McBride. Upcoming National events are as follows: 2017 World Recreational Team Championships, July 17-22, The RINKS – Anaheim ICE, Calif Holiday Challenge, Oct. 26-29, RDV Sportsplex Ice Den, Orlando, Fla. Adult Championships, Oct. 27-29, RDV Sportsplex Ice Den, Orlando, Fla. 2018 Winter Classic, Feb. 16-19 Dr Pepper StarCenter at McKinney Ranch, McKinney, Texas Synchronized Championships, April 6-8, Edge Ice Arena, Bensenville, Ill. (Chicago Showdown – April 7) World Recreational Team Championships, July 23-28, New England Sports Center, Boston PS MAGAZINE

GET UP CAMPAIGN

By Terri Milner Tarquini

Athis: Get up.

for U.S. Figure Skating. “When we looked at the data it was really like looking in a mirror and analyzing ourselves.”

attention was the life lessons learned and how a sport could help their children in their daily lives.

In what has been a three-year journey and a big commitment by the board of directors, U.S. Figure Skating worked with a consulting and marketing group to begin creating a brand image for the sport.

Within the website are clips with high-level skaters such as Gracie Gold, Ashley Wagner, Jason Brown, Adam Rippon, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, and Max Aaron talking about what skating means to them. But it’s a noticeably stripped-down version from what fans of skating have grown accustomed—there is no elaborate hair or make-up or Team USA gear.

“That led us to the idea that the gloss and the perceived perfection of Team USA should be rolled back and that emphasis should be on what our sport does for the everyday skater,” Baker said. “Perseverance, commitment, stick-toitiveness and overcoming challenges— that is where skating keeps giving throughout a skater’s whole life.”

“There was a lot of work done with teen and tween age groups and with parents regarding what they look for when choosing a sport for their child,” said Ramsey Baker, chief marketing officer

Here’s why: One of the key findings was that parents were not necessarily interested in their children going to the Olympics or achieving the highest levels of a chosen sport; what did grab their

t the very heart of figure skating is

Simple. And, yet, not so simple. But it’s vital for skaters and it’s what U.S. Figure Skating’s Get Up campaign is tapping into.

JULY/AUGUST 2017

But all of that comes later down the skating path. In the very beginning, there is a first time every skater laces up a pair of skates and steps on the ice. And, in those initial seconds, is when the biggest lesson in skating begins.

“...Falling is inherent in skating, but there’s only one way to keep skating. You have to get up. The ultimate life lesson is at the very core of our sport.”

“While thinking about this, we were also going through the Learn to Skate USA rebrand and we realized that this idea starts with the very first day, the very first lesson on the ice,” Baker said. “In the first day of class, the first thing a child learns is how to fall and, more importantly, how to get back up.” That thought was reinforced when footage was viewed from Rise, the 2011 movie celebrating American figure skating while commemorating the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that claimed the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team on its way to the World Championships in Prague. “There was footage of Scott Hamilton, Michelle Kwan, Brian Boitano, Kristi Yamaguchi and they all—every single one of them—used the same phrase: get up,” Baker said. “They all talked about how that had had the biggest impact on their lives. Falling is inherent in skating, but there’s only one way to keep skating. You have to get up. The ultimate life lesson is at the very core of our sport.” For a sport where the look and the luster is also part of the draw and performance and perfection is rewarded, it required an alternate mind-set. “We had to look inward and start seeing ourselves from a different angle,” Baker said. “We realized the ‘perfect’ performance from Gracie Gold or Nathan Chen wasn’t what was connecting with

fans so much as how many hours and how much hard work was put into it. We needed to celebrate not so much the perfectness, but the process. What was great was that the board of directors got behind the idea of presenting the sport in a different light—they recognized that it wasn’t about celebrating the fall, but celebrating the get up.” The importance of getting back up— and its connection to those both inside and outside the sport—was vividly and emotionally illustrated at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, when Jeremy Abbott, crowned U.S. national champion just the month prior, suffered a devastating and nearly debilitating fall on an attempted quadruple jump. “First thing, I was in a lot of pain and I was laying there kind of shocked and I didn’t know what to think,” Abbott said after the program. “I was waiting for the music to stop. The audience was screaming and I was like, ‘Forget it all, I am going to finish this program.’ As much as a disappointment as this is, I am not in the least bit ashamed. I stood up and finished the program and I am proud of what I did in the circumstances.” While it cost Abbott in the points, it won him many supporters. “All of us saw his fall,” Baker said. “It was obvious he was in a lot of pain, but he got up and he finished really strong and, when he talked about it afterward, he was deservedly proud of the physical and mental strength that took. It’s pretty amazing that he didn’t win a medal, but fans, other athletes, those inside and outside the sport, were all talking about it and were celebrating that he got up.”

PS MAGAZINE

A behind-the-scenes look at the Today Show when Scott Hamilton announced the launch of the campaign.

The call to arms of the Get Up campaign is a one minute film that correlates the toughness and dedication learned in figure skating and applies it to life outside of the ice rink, drawing correlations to dating, bullying, social circumstances or starting a new school or new job.

those in the sport, they can share what skating has meant to them and how they’ve gotten up—whether on or off the ice. It’s increasingly important that those involved with the sport are proud, they talk about it and they share it with confidence, that they’re involved with something special.”

“We wanted to pick topics that were important for society and that really spoke to those teen and tween age groups,” Baker said. “For instance, the issue of bullying is so huge—in school, but also through life. In part of the film, it wasn’t the female skater who was the one getting bullied even, but she was the one who stepped in to put a stop to it. The message is that skaters aren’t intimidated.”

The formal campaign is set to wrap-up at the end of the 2017/2018 season and it will soon transition from #getup to #wegetup.

The inspirational film culminates when the voice-over says, “If you can handle ice, you can handle anything. Get up.” It’s been a message that seemingly is resonating with those inside and outside the sport. “People can share through social media their get up stories,” Baker said. “It can draw people in who might have no background in the sport. And, for

JULY/AUGUST 2017

“#Get up has started a movement and people are talking about it and, even after the campaign is over, the legacy of that will be there,” Baker said. “The #wegetup will be perfect for an Olympic year when the team aspect is running high and there is such pride in our country and its athletes. #wegetup is about all of us as one and bringing people together. At some point in our lives, we all get up.” To learn more about translating on-ice confidence into off-ice confidence, go to www.wegetup.com.

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Memorable Takeaways

Coaches find their rhythm at the 2017 PSA Conference and Trade Show By Liz Leamy | Photos by Mark Walentiny

Patrice Lauzon • “What is the reason behind why you do what you do? What is the energy and feeling?” • “What do you want to create [out on the ice]? There’s a feeling and energy with each step, [so it’s important to consider] what does it create after?”

Scott Hamilton • “The whole identity of the PSA is to make us a little better tomorrow than we are today.” • “I hope that together we can continue to lift this sport, broaden its base and truly understand the life the ice gives us all.”

JULY/AUGUST 2017

his past May, Nashville served as a main hot spot for the skating world, as more than 450 coaches from all around the U.S., Canada, Mexico and other countries convened at this famous American country music destination for the ever-popular 2017 PSA Conference and Trade Show. This celebrated annual educational coaches forum, regarded to be one of the most important events in the sport, was held in the bucolic Nashville suburbs of Franklin and Antioch, and lived up to its stellar reputation in every way with an agenda covering topics such as jump, spin, dance, pairs, and synchro technique, rules, moves in the field, equipment, choreography, and periodization training, among other things, along with a lively trade show. Good energy abounded among coaches, presenters, vendors and the PSA staff, which made for a vibrant learning and social environment at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, a state-of-the-art hotel located in the leafy suburbs south of Nashville, and the Ford Ice Center in Antioch, a facility that serves as home base for the National Hockey League team, the Nashville Predators, who are 2017 Stanley Cup finalists. The presenters were also exceptional. Members of this impressive group included Olympic and World coaches such as Christy Krall, Patrice Lauzon, Tom Zakrajsek, Tammy Gambill, Jim Peterson, Amanda Evora, and Josh Babb; Mitch Moyer, the Senior Director

of High Athlete Performance at U.S. Figure Skating; Sasha Cohen, the 2006 Olympic silver medalist; and Adam Blake, choreographer for the Haydenettes, Disney On Ice, and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, among others. “I’m absolutely loving it here,” said Blake, a first-time conference attendee whose seminars were a big hit with coaches. “It’s awesome to see people so dedicated to learning about their sport and the amount of enthusiasm in the classes is amazing.” Meanwhile, the conference also attracted a host of other major players, which added to its excitement. This contingent included Frank Carroll, Todd Sand, Ekaterina Gordeeva, Mark Ladwig, Rockne Brubaker, John Coughlin, Rocky Marval, Alex Chang, Shirley Hughes and others. “It’s very exciting to come here every year, and to be honest, I often get starstruck,” said Rodrigo Menendez, a coach based in Minneapolis and also Mexico City. “We all become friends here and it’s an incredible learning environment. It’s so inspirational, fun and full of energy.” Other coaches agreed. “Even though I’ve been skating all of my life, I always learn when I come here,” said Karl Kurtz, a World, Olympic, and PSA master-rated coach based in Jacksonville, Florida. “I get to be among my peers and colleagues and there’s a great camaraderie among everyone. There are so many different topics and it’s a great opportunity for everyone to share information.”

Left to right: Jason Brown joins coach Kori Ade on the ice for her Spin Training Session, Lynn Goldman presents the Governing Council update, Death Spiral demonstration, Jimmie Santee discusses how the FTC ruling affects coaches, Scott Hamilton joins the fun in Adam Blake's Hip Hop Tutorial, Jackie Brenner and Diane Miller present their session on building a Basic Foundation, and Scott Riewald from the USOC addresses attendees at the closing session.

“Even though I’ve been skating all of my life, I always learn when I come here.” — Karl Kurtz | World, Olympic, and PSA master-rated coach Frank Sweiding with Yeaji Shin

No doubt, enthusiasm at this event seemed to be infectious and was much of the reason this group coexisted so effectively together. “There’s a lot of energy here,” said Jimmie Santee, PSA Executive Director. “Everyone’s working together and when you’re all rowing in the same direction, you’ll get to the finish line quicker.” This conference was also special due to the fact that it was held in Nashville, the American country music capital known for its friendly residents, welcoming atmosphere, and rich culture. “Nashville is such a vibrant place, the people are so nice and the culture is incredible,” said John Coughlin, the two-time U.S. pair champion (with Caydee Denney in 2012 and

A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors

PS MAGAZINE

Left to right right: Featured Speaker Christy Krall presents her wildly popular Language of Landing session, a Training Methods panel with Frank Carroll, Tammy Gambill, Peter Cain, and Brandon Siakel, Kori Ade talks spin training, Donna Helgenberg demonstrates during an on-ice hockey session.

Caitlin Yankowskas in 2011), who is a singles and pairs representative of the International Skating Union Athletes’ Commission. Coughlin also noted how the presence and involvement of Scott Hamilton, PSA Conference Honorary Chair and 1984 Olympic champion, at the event added to its whole energy and dynamic. “The energy around the PSA is always invigorating, but this seems to be even more so because of Scott and his personality,” said Coughlin. “He is so selfless with the sport and also inspiring and humbling to be around.” Perhaps more than anything, this conference was one for the books because essentially, it was a lot of fun. “I’m having a blast,” said Parker Pennington, the Cleveland-based coach and former U.S. championship men’s contender and U.S. junior and novice champion. “We’re learning new and different ways to bring the sport to a higher level and everyone’s working together to keep making it better. There’s still a lot of skating the world hasn’t seen yet.”

JULY/AUGUST 2017

David Shulman, longtime PSA icon, pioneer and developer, presented with Lifetime Achievement Award, named in his honor. PROCLAMATION Whereas the Professional Skaters Association is dedicated to the education, accreditation, and ethics of coaching ﬁgure skating, Whereas David Shulman has served as a Ratings Examiner in Figures, Free Skating, and Pairs, Whereas David Shulman has been a member of the Professional Skaters Guild of America and Professional Skaters Association for the past 60 years, Whereas David Shulman has served as General Counsel for the Professional Skaters Guild of America and Professional Skaters Association and for the members of said associations for over 40 years,

Whereas David Shulman is a Past President of the PSA Board of Governors, Whereas David Shulman is a member of the PSA Coaches Hall of Fame, Whereas David Shulman has served as Conference Presenter, PS Magazine Columnist, and Mentor to All, Be it Resolved that no member has been or will be his equal in dedication and service. Now, Therefore, Let us proclaim that hereafter the Honorary Member & Lifetime Achievement Award will be named the Shulman Award for Lifetime Achievement.

2017 Edi awards

Diamond Soirée Congratulations award winners and thank you to the Awards Dinner chairs Tim Covington and Teri Hooper for a wonderful event!

Tammy Gambill

Judy Thomas

The F. Ritter Shumway Award Distinguished Oﬃcial Award

Susi Wehrli McLaughlin

Lee Cabell

Vicki Luy

Developmental Coach of the Year

Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak, and Dmytri Ilin

Paul McGrath Choreography of the Year

Rohene Ward

The Betty Berens Award

Scott Hamilton

Sonja Henie Award

Judy Thomas

Gustave Lussi Award

Charlie White

Joe Seraﬁne National Volunteer of the Year Fritz Dietl Award Alexei Kiliakov

Coach of the Year Shulman Award for Lifetime Achievement

Tim Covington

Scott Hamilton

Gale Tanger

Photo of the Year

Pieter Kollen Sport Science Award

Rohene Ward

Susi Wehrli McLaughlin

Lee Cabell Tim Covington World Arena Ice Hall Tammy Gambill Carol Murphy

Professional Skaters Foundation 2016–2017 Oﬃcers, Board Members and Trustees PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY

A Community that Cares

U.S. Open – a huge success!

Carol Murphy Kelley Morris-Adair Scott McCoy Gerry Lane

BOARD MEMBER

Paul Wylie Doug Mattis Carol Rossignol Tim Covington Patrick O'Neil TRUSTEE

Richard Dwyer Cindy Geltz Tara Hillstrand Lane Robbie Kaine Wayne Seybold Kim Seybold Skaters' Fund – Donation Levels: • • • • •

Platinum Diamond Gold Silver Bronze

$10,000+ $5,000+ $1,000+ $500+ $100+

Recognition opportunities for donors available

he U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships was held on May 23, 2017 at the Ford Ice Center with over 35 competitors! What an amazing evening and an incredible display of talent! Very special thanks to Ford Ice Center, and manager of the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy, Paula Trujillo, along with all of our volunteers who have worked very hard to make this one of the greatest and most memorable events imaginable. I would also like to thank our judges Adam Blake, Doug Haw, Cindy Stuart, Judy Thomas, and our celebrity judge Manuel Cuevas, for donating their time to this wonderful event. Lastly, a special thank you to our Master of Ceremonies, Doug Mattis, for all his efforts. I am excited to announce our winners: Grand Champion - Jonathan Cassar Creative Visionary Award – Cordero Zuckerman The Skater’s Skater Award– Kristen Nardozzi & Nick Traxler Ground Breaker Award– Garrett Kling

The PS Foundation recently joined the Smile Amazon Program. Amazon donates 0.5% of all eligible purchases to a charity that you designate on the Smile.amazon.com website. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the PS Foundation every time you shop, with no additional cost to you. Simply go to smile.amazon. com from your web browser, choose the PS Foundation as your designated charity, and use your existing amazon. com account with all the same settings! We all shop on Amazon today; please consider choosing the PS Foundation as your designated charity and start shopping on smile. amazon.com! Please spread the word to family and friends!

JULY/AUGUST 2017

I am also pleased to announce that the event was filmed and can be watched on icenetwork this year! Thank you icenetwork! This extraordinary event raised over $10,000 with all proceeds benefiting the PS Foundation. The PS Foundation provides educational scholarships for coaches as well as financial assistance for coaches in need. Thank you to all our sponsors and donors that supported this wonderful cause. – Carol Murphy THANK YOU SPONSORS!

he Professional Skaters Foundation is pleased to announce that three of our members have been awarded a Don Laws Apprentice Scholarship! The scholarship offers three merit based apprentice scholarships, each intended for the reimbursement of direct expenses incurred for attending the PSA Apprentice Development Program at ShattuckSt. Mary’s in Minnesota. Congratulations to Wendy Cool, Gloria Leous, and Karen Lehman for their commitment to coaching and their desire to continue their education. Additional information is available on our website, www.skatepsa.com. The Professional Skaters Foundation (PSF) was founded to expand the educational opportunities of PSA members through a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable foundation.

PSA Membership Recognition

Photos by Mark Walentiny

Thank you to our vendors for a successful Trade Show! Jackson Ultima Skates

Skate Dance Dream

Arrow Sports (MK, JohnWilson, Risport)

U.S. Figure Skating

SP-Teri Co Inc Harlick The PSA would like to recognize the committment longtime coaches have made to the growth of the PSA and the skating industry in general. We salute these fine coaches for their continued support.

30 YEARS Donald Adair Kelley Morris Adair Michele Bacon Barbara Benedetti Elizabeth BragleLeavey Andrea Brett Randy Brilliantine Glennace Cohen Laura Steele Corley Trevor Davies Jeﬀrey Digregorio Molly DowlingGerman Donna Burden Flowers Barbara Gahagen Dee Goldstein Gisele Green-Czajka Scott Gregory Patricia Hagen Judith Hardesty Blair Bacon Holloway Sandy HurtubiseUlmer Karen HutterBranson

Nancy Jarvis Carol Kaufmann Raymond Laub Lynne Marie Leger Margo Lynn Mankus Judith Martin Albie Minkovitz Correne Mungillo Lisa NowakSpearing Paul Paprocki Stacey RichmondOrﬁni Gail Stone Roeper Charles (Chip) Rossbach Kim Jan-Ai Ryden John Saitta David Santee Jerry Santoferrara Cathryn Schwab Shirley Sherman Carrie Smilowitz Frank Sweiding Pamela Welch

40 YEARS Jewell Augustine Jack Courtney Marylill Elbe Cindy Geltz Anita Hartshorn Susan Mathay Hlebinsky Michele Kelley Susan Kelley Ted Kelton Nancy Madden Leamy Karen Krause Lingenfelter

Page Lipe Andrew Stroukoﬀ Cindy Larson Sullivan Elsa Swenning Dorian Valles Jennie Walsh Val Nauroth Tammy Gambill Cindy M Solberg Suzi Landry Sweezey

50 YEARS Maureen Tinsley Stone

Maude White

60+ YEARS David Shulman Jack Devitt

Bob O'Connell

Step Skating Blades Skates US, Inc Riedell Skates and Eclipse Blades

Jammin Skate Dash Paramount Skates Skate Loop Ice Skate Conditioning Equipment Scott Hamilton CARES Coach Concierge

RINKBLAZER

Carey Tinkelenberg By Terri Milner Tarquini

First things first: Carey Tinkelenberg goes a mile a minute. All of the time. But that’s not the half of it. The true essence of Tinkelenberg is in the immediately obvious fact that she’s on the go, go, go because she has an intense fire and devotion to her myriad of interests and endeavors. A native of Harvard, Massachusetts, she credits the mentorship of coaches Kate (McManus) Wilkins, Mark Mitchell, and Peter Johansson for her start as a regional competitor every year through her senior level and her advancement to sectionals in 1998. “They absolutely shaped how and why I do what I do,” she said. Turning down offers from Disney On Ice to pursue college, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Carleton College in 2005. That same year, while still in college, she founded the Northfield Skating School (NSS) in Minnesota while managing Carleton’s cognitive psychology lab. Still the owner, director, and head coach at NSS, Tinkelenberg is also a Learn to Skate USA consultant and recently traveled to several states as one of 10 business development specialists going into rinks as part of the rebrand and launch of the new Learn to Skate USA program. Currently a member of the PSA Board of Governors, she was only 26 when she earned her program director master rating from the organization. In 2008, NSS was named a “model program” by SKATING Magazine and Tinkelenberg was presented with the Making a Difference Award by the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative for the skating school’s positive impact on youth in the community. In the time since, she has served on multiple U.S. Figure Skating and PSA committees, presented regularly at educational events, and published over a dozen articles about skating program leadership and the NSS business model. She is a coach at Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis as well as Shattuck St. Mary’s Skating Center of Excellence, a boarding school for athletes. “I was equally invested in both my academics and my athletics,” she said. “Shattuck-St. Mary’s is such a unique place because it develops the student and the skater equally and that really appeals to me.”

JULY/AUGUST 2017

But that’s just the hard-and-fast skating and coaching stuff. There’s more. Past the resume information, there are Tinkelenberg’s passions—all of which she has turned into something concrete. There’s her passion for off-ice dance, which has taken the form of Modern Skating, her collaboration with Drew Meekins, Nick Santillo, and a host of other creative peers that focuses on translating contemporary dance onto the ice. “The crux is about improving component scores, but it’s also about skating being the perfect synthesis of athleticism and artistry,” she said. Another passion: life skills and the benefits of skating outside of the rink life. Currently, that passion is taking shape as she delves further into consulting on leadership and training for female entrepreneurs. “What we do in skating translates to other business. These skills we use in our life come right back to skating.” Oh, and then there’s Natural Bliss, her company of natural body products, some of which are designed with skaters in mind (particularly when it comes to chapped lips and smelly ice skates) that is a joint venture with her college friend who “shares a passion for wellness, creativity and empowering others.” Without a doubt, Tinkelenberg is bursting at the seams with passion. “I love being a coach and I love being a director—I love the impact that can come from being those two things in the ultimate goal of guiding people to being their best selves,” she said. “But I also like getting outside the rink. I didn’t realize how translatable these skills are. There are a lot of opportunities to apply what I’ve learned through the sport to other areas. That knowledge I have and the passion that’s inside me drive me to be part of positive change inside and outside of our sport.”

Was there a time or moment when you first realized that coaching was in your future? My big turning point was when I had a semester to work on my thesis because I was graduating early. I was working in a lab on campus and also working in a coffee shop and I started talking to people to gauge interest. I wanted to teach, but not necessarily make it my career, but that wasn’t an option since there was a rink in Northfield but no program. So I started Northfield Skating School during

my senior year in college. I knew there was a market there and there would be interest, but I had no business knowledge. So I started taking business classes and using the resources that U.S. Figure Skating and PSA had to offer. I wanted to make the program as strong as possible so it could stand out in a sea of youth programs in the area. To be able to teach, I had to jump in and start something much bigger than just coaching and figure out how to get it done. I was very much an accidental entrepreneur at first but it turned out to light a fire and be the right fit.

Skating as a sport takes great passion. So does coaching. What are you most passionate about? I’m passionate about a lot of things, but at the root is the Northfield Skating School motto of “Building Skills and Confidence for Skating and for Life.” I want to help people and organizations become their best selves and figure out what’s meaningful to them, to show them high standards and the tools to grow and develop their potential. And I’m equally passionate about that when it comes to training athletes, skating professionals or entrepreneurs outside of skating.

Quick—two favorite things about skating or coaching. The number one thing is the feeling when

things come together. It’s that ‘a-ha’ moment, whether it’s a skater that has a breakthrough with a technique or has a personal accomplishment, but that they figured something out because of your guidance. The second thing is the community— there’s a huge influence of coaches on coaches and coaches on athletes. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day that you can forget how we are shaping their lives. Coaches have such a profound and deep impact that cannot be underestimated. I have such pride in the culture of Northfield Skating School. We have captured a real team environment among our staff, which only helps in bringing out the best in our athletes. And that same thing goes for the other places I coach—it’s a real priority for me.

You’ve had a number of different roles in the skating world. What really hooked you in? A part of me thought that I might start the Northfield Skating School and then go parttime or possibly pass it on. The real hook for me was seeing the first day when it all came together. When the first groups of kids were all on the ice and the coaches were all trained and stepping up into leadership roles, a lot of them for the first time. You know that feeling of the best performances you’ve ever had as a skater? Where it all just clicked and flowed? The feeling I had the first day of the skating school was like that—totally exceed-

ing your own expectations of what you thought you were capable of. Creating something that could give kids this opportunity somewhere that was a skating desert—it was a huge pressure and responsibility. But seeing the impact— not just with one skater, but with many—that’s what really did it.

mind doesn’t just shut off. I’m an avid yoga fan, and I also think it’s important to have social ties outside of skating for those different perspectives. That, in itself, can be very rejuvenating and help you keep perspective. You need to practice self-care—and to shut off your phone sometimes and not be apologetic about it. Otherwise it can be easy to lose sight of what sparks the passion in you for skating and coaching and keeps you healthy. To be able to look outside the bubble can provide relief and rejuvenation.

What do you think has aided you on your path to finding more success and growth as a coach?

What would your advice be to coaches who are interested in growing their career?

First and foremost, it's the close professional and support network of the skating community. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in your capacity and what you bring to the table, and have a desire to see you grow or to collaborate. I have many, many people to thank when it comes to that—and we all try to pay it forward as coaches. The athletes also stretch us. Coaching at Shattuck, I have the chance to work with student-athletes from all over the world—it’s such an awesome way to grow as a coach! Also, I think there’s value in the ability to get comfortable taking risks while staying true to values and always learning and always communicating. My career is really one huge fulfilling puzzle that speaks to the different parts of my personality. When you have the instinct to always want to work on and create the best self you can be, that can take many different forms. Developing my business skills has helped me make the puzzle work together while having a fulfilling life too. It’s important that life values are in line with career values.

Speaking of a fulfilling life, how do you mitigate this terrain that can often be challenging when it comes to being a coach? It’s so important to recognize when you’re burned out and you have to know yourself well enough to know how to manage that. As fortunate as we are to have a job that's so rewarding and meaningful, there are challenges that come with having your passion and profession intertwined. For me, it’s not enough to just be out of the rink; I must be engaged in something actively because my

Don’t be afraid to look outside of what you’re doing at the more peripheral—off-ice or related activities that interest you. Look outside just the day-to-day of going into the rink and coaching and leaving. Find mentorship. Seek feedback. Use the resources of PSA and U.S. Figure Skating. Do some self-exploration. I guess I’m the ultimate example of that: I really wanted to coach, but that wasn’t an option where I was. So I could drive an hour away to a rink where I knew nobody or I could explore getting something going where I was. And look where it has led me. Creating Northfield Skating School has been the catalyst for all other aspects of my career and I couldn't be more grateful for the journey— the people and circumstances that have made it possible, and the ongoing growth that it demands. Everybody’s story is different and we all bring so much to this path we’ve chosen.

On that note, do you think the advances in your career have been by chance or have you opened those doors? It’s absolutely been a combination. You have to prepare and educate yourself, but you can’t over-plan because you need to allow the opportunities in when they show up.

What do you see as the foremost opportunity in full-time coaching? I really like the flexibility of being selfemployed; it really allows me to balance all the things I do. I like to be able to have the structure and community from PSA and U.S. Figure Skating, but also make decisions and do my own problem solving as an independent business owner. I like working with people and seeing improvement. For me, this is a true passion and profession. It’s such a unique opportunity we have to combine those two things. continued on page 35 PS MAGAZINE

2017 GRAND CHAMPION AWARD Jonathan Cassar P H OTO S BY

Mark Walentiny

GROUND BREAKER AWARD Garrett Kling

CREATIVE VISIONARY AWARD Cordero Zuckerman

THE SKATER'S SKATER AWARD Kristen Nardozzi & Nick Traxler

Special tha our wonder nks to ful judges A D A M B L A KE D O U G H AW CI N D Y ST U A RT JU D Y TH O M AS M A N U EL CU E VA S

continued from page 33

Are there three qualities that you feel are important for coaches to possess?

How would you describe your journey in the world of coaching so far?

Self-awareness and the ability to separate yourself and your process from what the athlete needs. The desire to always self-improve. And being good to people around you. Really just being a good human. It’s not that hard and it’s so vital.

A lot of personal growth has happened. It was an unexpected path and it’s had its ups and downs. The best thing is that coaching has allowed me to pursue my mosaic of skating involvement and fulfill my passions.

What are your goals with regards to your career? It’s so much of a puzzle. I’d like to continue what I’m doing now, just get better at it. I hope to always be involved in coaching and directing, or training coaches and directors. I'd like to keep growing as a coach and attain higher freestyle and moves ratings. I'd like to see us expand Modern Skating and keep learning from collaborative opportunities. I'll also be working toward a yoga teaching certification and would like to bring that into my work with athletes more directly. I've explored a lot of different angles in skating and have a real passion for the leadership work. I can see pursuing more consulting ahead.

Down the road of life, what are some things you hope your skaters take with them that they learned from you? The mind-body connection is powerful and you can only control the controllable. Move past fear. Rehearse, repetition and precision. Those things can bring you a lot of joy and confidence on the ice and off the ice. Trust yourself. Trust your training. You have the answers if you dig deep enough. Skating is an amazing balancing effort of using every single part of your mind, body and soul—you truly have to give it your all and be all in in every way. But you also need to be able to let go. That is such a life skill.

OBITUARY Lynn Fauver Rimmer Lynn Rimmer, long time figure skating professional, passed away from natural causes at home in Twin Lakes, Ohio. She received her early figure skating training at the Cleveland Skating Club and later taught there. She also taught figure skating in Troy, Ohio, Rockford, Illinois and throughout northeastern Ohio, including Kent State University. She was a graduate of Laurel School and Allegheny College. She was preceded in death by her husband Dick Rimmer, also a figure skating coach, son Hayes Rimmer, and father Benjamin Fauver. She is survived by her mother Ann Thoburn Fauver of Portland, Maine, sister Victoria Fauver Robb of Charleston, West Virginia, brother William Fauver of Nashville, Tennessee, sister Jane Fauver of Portland, Maine, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews and grandnieces/nephews. Lynn loved figure skating, treasuring the time and experiences with her many students, colleagues, and friends in the sport over the years. She also loved traveling- a habit she started with her grandmother, Ann Bishop Thoburn, going to England. She also enjoyed the summers with her family at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. Keeping with her wishes and low-key approach to life, there will be no service or other activities for now. In lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions may be made in Lynn’s name to the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund or the PSA Skaters’ Fund.

PS MAGAZINE

BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES Kathleen Thies and Nick Falk, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

State Income Tax Issues for the Traveling Coach I

n the fast paced environment of training elite skaters, many coaches may not realize that traveling from state to state for ice time with different clients may impact their personal income tax footprint. Knowing the rules will help you understand potential tax exposure.

The Basics Generally speaking, a taxpayer’s entire income is taxable in the individual’s home state. If a coach is an employee who receives a W-2, the employer is required to withhold the appropriate state taxes. However, coaches who are considered to be independent contractors for federal income tax purposes are required to make both federal and state estimated payments on a quarterly basis. This is a fairly straightforward proposition if you work and live in the same state. If, however, you live in one state and work in another state (or multiple states), things become more complicated quite quickly.

Not Every State is Created Equally Currently, 41 out of 50 states impose a personal income tax. Seven states (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming) have no personal income tax and two states (New Hampshire and Tennessee) tax only investment and dividend income. Living in one state and traveling to work in any of the other 41 states may trigger a nonresident income tax filing obligation on behalf of the coach. A coach’s home state (resident state) is allowed to tax his/her entire income regardless of the state source of that income, while a state where a coach is not a resident is only allowed to tax income earned in the nonresident state. But each state has a different threshold to determine when the tax obligation is triggered. In some states like New York, a coach may be obligated to file an income tax return if any income was earned in the state, even if he/she only spent a few hours working there during the year. Other states set minimum thresholds based on the number of days spent working in the state (anywhere from one to 30 days) or on the amount of income earned during the year for work performed within the state.

JULY/AUGUST 2017

Here are three state examples: • Minnesota requires non-residents to file an individual income tax return if their income from Minnesota sources exceeds the personal exemption and standard deduction. • Maine requires non-residents to file state tax returns if they have enough income from state sources to trigger a state income tax liability. There are exceptions based on the number of days in the state, the type of work, and the amount earned. • Massachusetts has different income filing thresholds for residents versus nonresidents; non-resident thresholds are adjusted based on time spent in Massachusetts and are highly complex, much more so than for residents.

Compliance Burden Falls on the Individual When a coach cannot rely upon an employer to manage the multistate withholding burden, the responsibility for these issues fall on the individual coach. Coaches should monitor time spent working in each state, the amount earned, and whether they have triggered a personal income tax filing obligation. We suggest that coaches maintain a log to track the days and dollars earned in each state to help identify where they may have possible state tax exposure.

Enforcement You may be asking yourself, how does anyone comply with all these varying state tax standards? The short answer is it is very difficult for individuals or employers to be 100 percent compliant. However, states are under pressure to diversify revenue sources and are becoming increasingly sophisticated and eager to enforce this stream of revenue. If you are traveling across state lines to coach on a consistent basis, we suggest you make a good faith effort to comply with that state’s nonresident income tax filing requirements.

Is there any good news? If you find yourself in a position where you are paying income tax in several states, your home state will still tax

your entire income; however, to avoid double taxation, the home state generally allows a credit for state taxes paid to other states on the same income. Because Arizona, Indiana, Oregon, Virginia, and Guam are “reverse credit” states, residents of those states should take care to claim credits against taxes they pay in nonresident states, because these five states do not allow their residents to claim credits for taxes paid to nonresident states. Congress is also working on a fix. The Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2017 (H.R. 1393 and S. 540) would exempt most coaches from personal income tax in any state that is not their home state, unless they work there at least 30 days a year. And employers wouldn’t have to withhold taxes before that threshold is met. Unfortunately, Congressional relief for this complex web of state tax issues for road warriors is a ways off, given that this legislation has been introduced in the House by each Congress since 2006. Comparatively speaking, coaches face more gray area regarding their state income tax compliance requirements than professional athletes and performers do. Those

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individuals have different nonresident withholding and filing requirements that are vigorously enforced, and they often cannot rely on an employer to take care of their state obligations through withholding. If you are a coach for a professional team or for performers, we recommend that you consult a tax advisor. State and local tax professionals can analyze your compliance obligations so that you can spend your time and energy at the rink with your athletes, confident that you are fulfilling your state and local tax compliance requirements.

Kathleen Thies | Manager 703-825-2131 Kathleen.thies@CLAconnect.com Nick Falk | Director 507-280-2320 Nick.falk@CLAconnect.com

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Welcome coaches!

New

MEMBERS NEW MEMBER SPONSOR Samantha Abelson Robyn Achilles Derek Baker Alexandra Butler Kyla Cochran Hannah Cook Mia Cordio Cayla Cottrell Jessica Dahl Kathryn D'Angelo Dakota Delsey Makayla Devries Curtis Dicho Kalina Downs Eduardo Garcia Mackenzie Garlick Katelyn Gulotta Madelyn Harris Chantal Hersey Monica Jackson Shannon Jahrling Kelly Johnson Carly Jones Shannon Keeler Brandon Kozlowski Alicia Kuhn Kaitlyn Landes Jade Larusso Nicole Lee Victoria Lorusso Andrea Ludditt Nathan Luong Sydney Massenberg Megan McDevitt Maryann McEvoy Shannon Norris Nicole Osibodu Stefanie Page Samantha Parker Shannon Pecca John Reichard Heather Robinson

Kristin Andrews Jimmie Santee Kimberly Sutton Courtney Moebs Shannon Huffman Martine DeLatorre Kristie Sherard Richard Griffin Rashid Kadyrkaev Cathryn Schwab Tammy Jimenez Liyen Vong Karen Lingenfelter Erika Shorr Andrei Lavrentiev Jenny Wesley Gwyn Kathleen Kelly Virginia Regelman-Gietl Lindsey Wolkin Amanda Griffin Kathy Janik Darin Hosier Mimi Wacholder Tammy Janoschak Simon Shnapir Christy Malacrea Chris Kinser Amelia Molle Vikki Geller Suna Murray Rory Allen Jonathan Cassar Geri Lynch-Tomich Jenny Cherry Shannon Huffman Stewart Sturgeon Courtney moebs Lauren E. Page Lori Stuart Christine Fowler-Binder Silvia Fontana Nancy Blackwell-Grieder

JULY/AUGUST 2017

NEW MEMBER SPONSOR Maria Scarsella Erica Scholl Alexey Shchepetov Matthew Shepard Michael Skulstad Kristen Souza Julia Steeger Celina Taylor Victoria Tebbitt Mariyah Thurston Ashley Tike Alessandra Vanigli Jeremy Vivit Suzanne Ward Megan Wessenberg Emily Zahn

Tara Maceiko-Castagna Eric Mumper Slava Uchitel Katherine Moose Lee Graham Sarah DiNardo Mandy Curtin Dan Hollander Katherine Womack La Rhonda Scott Michael Sasaki Todd Eldredge Inga Fedorova Courtney Moebs Amanda Farkas Becky Gallion

Do you know coaches who are new to the profession? RANKINGS Megan Schultz- Level I Erica Miller- Level I Jessica Wasik- Level I Karen Lehmann- Level III Heidi Masse- Level III Anna Baram- Level IV

Help them get a head start on their coaching career, and encourage them to join PSA! Visit www.skatepsa.com or contact Elizabeth at ethornton@skatepsa.com

to learn more about PSA membership opportunities.

Remember to renew your E

Helping Lucy & Jeremy 1. Congratulations to Lucy & Jeremy Barrett on the birth of their son – Watson! (This kid will be awesome.) The quilt was fun to make! 2. Lucy is in the fight of her life – and could use some support! Leukemia is terrifying and we want to help! Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/3oecqww

Sheila Thelen PRESIDENT

Champion Cords

3. BIG fundraiser at the G2C Super Camp – on Tuesday, July 11th at the Epic Rink in Ft. Collins, CO! Please join us! Lots of great skating/fundraising ahead!

PRESIDENT Champion Skating Harness

(Thank you Audrey Weisiger for coordinating this big event!) 4. We love you Lucy! Dialyn—holding up the “Narwhal Baby Quilt”— for baby Watson!

Champion Cords are endorsed by the PSA! Order yours at www.ChampionCords.com • www.ChampionSkatingHarness.com • www.SkatePSA.com PS MAGAZINE

CALENDAR

EVENTS

J U LY Date: Event: Location: Credits: Host:

July 6 Area 12 U.S. Figure Skating Ice Dance Judges’ School [Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm for judges; 9:00am to 12:15pm for coaches] Dr. Pepper Star Center, Farmers Branch, TX 3 pre-approved credits for coaches and 25 CEUs for judges Jana Kading janakading@gmail.com 214-929-1874 http://starsfsc.org (pre-registration required)

Deadline:

June 11

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Contact:

July 27 – 28 Area 11 PSA Oral Rating Site at U.S. Figure Skating Synchro Skating Summit [Thursday 12:00pm to Friday 12:15pm] Hilton Garden Inn, St. Charles, IL 1 PSA credit per oral exam taken PSA Office

Deadline:

June 19

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Contact:

July 30 – 31 Area 11 PSA Oral Rating Site [Sunday 12:00pm to Monday 12:00pm] Hilton Garden Inn Independence, Independence, MO 1 PSA credit per oral exam taken PSA Office

Deadline:

June 19

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Contact:

July 31 – August 2 Area 11 PSA Ratings Prep [Monday 1:00pm to Wednesday 12:30pm] Hilton Garden Inn Independence, Independence, MO Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, Independence MO 28 PSA credits PSA Office

Deadline:

July 7

AUGUST Date: Event: Location: Credits: Host:

August 6 Area 15 PSA Seminar [8:00am to 5:00pm] Cottonwood Heights Rec Center, Cottonwood Heights, UT 12 PSA credits Erica Roberts eroberts@parkcity.org 435-513-0459

Deadline:

July 16

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Host:

August 19 Area 10 Foundations of Coaching Course (FCC) [8:00am to 5:00pm] MSOE Kern Center, Milwaukee, WI 12 PSA credits Craig Bodoh timeman@earthlink.net 414-449-5020

Deadline:

July 21

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Host:

August 26 Area 14 PSA Clinic [2:00pm to 7:00pm] Olympic View Arena, Mountlake Terrace, WA 6 PSA credits Patti Brinkley wisask8director@aol.com 425-640-9999

Deadline:

August 1

JULY/AUGUST 2017

CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISE WITH US! Let the skating community know about your upcoming event, product, service, or job opportunity by advertising with the PSA! We offer many different advertising options at affordable rates. For more information, go to our website at skatepsa.com and click on "About Us" and then "Advertise.".

A U G U S T continued Date: Event: Location: Credits: Contact:

August 26 Area 13 PSA Oral Rating Site [8:00am to 5:00pm] Family Sports Center, Centennial, CO 1 PSA credit per oral exam taken PSA Office

Deadline:

July 10

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Host:

August 27 Area 13 PSA Seminar [8:00am to 5:00pm] Family Sports Center, Centennial, CO 12 PSA credits Gerry Lane gerryl@sspr.org 303-708-9500

Deadline:

August 1

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Host:

August 27 Area 9 Foundations of Coaching Course (FCC) [8:00am to 5:00pm] SportOne / Parkview Icehouse, Fort Wayne, IN 12 PSA credits Alena Lunin alunin@icesports.com 260-387-6614 ext. 108

Deadline:

August 1

Helping coaches in need. Please send a contribution today!

The

Skaters'Fund 100% supported through contributions from the general public. All contributions are tax-deductible

SEPTEMBER Date: Event: Location: Credits: Contact:

September 9 Area 10 PSA Oral Rating Site [8:00am to 5:00pm] Doug Woog Arena, South St Paul, MN 1 PSA credit per oral exam taken PSA Office

Deadline:

August 15

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Contact:

September 10 Area 10 PSA Seminar [1:00pm to 6:00 pm] Doug Woog Arena, South St Paul, MN 6 PSA credits PSA Office

Deadline:

August 28

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Host: Deadline:

September 24 Area 11 PSA Seminar [1:00pm to 6:00 pm] Niles Iceland, Niles, IL 6 PSA credits Amy Forbes aforbes@niles-parks.org September 10

Date: Event: Location: Credits: Host:

September 24 Area 9 Foundations of Coaching Course (FCC) [8:00am to 5:00pm] Iceland Sport Complex, Louisville, KY 12 PSA credits Sarah Neal Sbnkysk8@gmail.com 502-425-7444

Deadline:

September 1

Please visit www.skatepsa.com for the complete Calendar of Events

IMPORTANT MEMBERSHIP NOTICE

Notice of Refund Policy Change Due to the increasing volume of refunds and the time/costs incurred to process the refunds, the Professional Skaters Association has made a change to the refund policy. As of September 1, 2016, any refund requested on membership purchases due to non-system related issues (i.e. duplicate purchase, incorrect membership selected, etc.) will no longer be issued a refund check. The refund will be granted, however the amount refunded will be in the form of a credit to the user account where it will be available for future purchases of membership, items from the PSA store, or PSA educational events. Each membership year, a late fee of $35 will be charged to renewals after September 30 for all membership categories. If you have any questions regarding your membership, please contact Elizabeth Thornton, PSA Membership Services, at ethornton@skatepsa.com or 507-281-5122.

PS MAGAZINE

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