The Legacy of David Shulman

Mindfulness and Awareness in Figure Skating

The Legacy of David Shulman

By Kent McDill

A simple explanation of the legacy of former PSA President David Shulman is that the PSA Lifetime Achievement Award is named after him.

It was in Shulman’s nature to give of himself to the profession of coaching. It was his early life experiences that put him in a position to give to the PSA in a way that was desperately needed, and in which no one else could.

Shulman passed away in February of 2022 after a 20-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. The following will tell you who Shulman was and what he meant to the PSA.

David Shulman was born in Chicago but grew up in Cleveland, where he initially developed his love for figure skating. He trained with Olympic figure skating coach Gustave Lussi in LakePlacid before heading off to college at Michigan State University. He played on the Spartans’ hockey team, but more significantly competed in the National Junior Men’s Figure Skating Championships.

At MSU, Shulman earned a degree in history and political science.

Life eventually put him in Dallas, where he became the head figure skating coach for the Dallas Figure Skating Club, and met his wife Carole Banbury, who shared the rest of this story.

David Shulman eventually became the head figure skating coach of the Rochester Figure Skating Club. Through all of his figure skating work, he also worked to get a law degree at the University of Minnesota School of Law.

And still, there is more...

Shulman’s role with the PSA

While coaching and pursuing his law degree at the same time, Shulman eventually earned a Master rating in three coaching disciplines. He was a World Professional Figure Skating judge, a consultant to President Jimmy Carter’s Commission on Olympic Sports, and eventually inducted to the PSA Hall of Fame. He not only won the PSA Lifetime Achievement Award, it is now named after him.

Shulman was President of PSA from 1974-1977. It was during that time famed figure skating coach Carol Rossignol first met him.

“I was living and coaching in New Brunswick (Canada) in the early 1970s,” Rossignol said. “In the early ‘70s, I went to Boston for a joint conference of PSA and Canadian coaches. David was president at the time, and was the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

“I was a high school teacher as well as a skating coach at the time, and I felt how important education for coaches was at that event, and David emphasized that,” Rossignol said.

Shulman’s role at the PSA grew as he decided to provide legal guidance to both the organization and its members.

“He was legal counsel for the PSA, and helped out many coaches who had legal problems,” Rossignol said. “He received a retainer from the PSA, but it didn’t cover all of the time he put in. It was within him to use his leadership qualities to bring the PSA forward at the time.”

From 1996-2006, Shulman served on the PSA Professional Standards Committee with Jackie Brenner, a former PSA Board member who is currently the director of figure skating operations at Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Oklahoma City and the Blazers Ice Centre in Edmond, Tx.

“That time on the professional standards committee was a 10-year journey of growing and learning under him,” Brenner said. “We were working on developing conduct standards, what was expected of coaches in our industry, and we worked on the PSA grievance procedures at the time. He really took me under his wing and was very patient and encouraging as I learned that role.”

Legendary coach Janet Champion echoes the incredible legacy of David Shulman. “He was a monumental figure in the development of PSA. David almost single handedly raised the bar for figure skating coaches with his work on education and accreditation. Because of David, the PSA is respected world-wide as the top coaches’ organization. David’s work as President and longtime legal counsel set us on a great path. I pray we will continue David’s visionary leadership,” Champion said.

There are very few stories about David Shulman that do not include Carole Shulman as well.

“Their love of the coaching industry in our sport was just remarkable,” Brenner said. “You could feel it in every project and every committee action, every conference call, every time we met in person. You could feel the energy and passion for representing the goodness of our sport through them.”

Rossignol stated “I’m sure he was a father figure to many young coaches”, which brings us to a look at…

**Red Bainbridge, David, and Irene Muehlbronner at the 2013 PSA Conference celebrating 75 years**

David Shulman the person

David Shulman did not become a better person because he was involved in figure skating. Figure skating became a better sport because David Shulman was involved in it.

“He had such an imprint on me when I came into the PSA,” said former PSA President Alex Chang (whose tenure as president ended with the May 2022 Summit in Chicago). “David was pretty amazing. He could identify different scenarios and systematically determine ways to deal with them, troubleshoot issues, and come up with the most well-balanced approach to the host of issues that would come up.

“I have nothing but respect for the heart and mentoring he put into every one of us that serves in leadership, as well as those who served in the past,” Chang said.

“David always treated me like an older daughter,” Brenner said. “He was so patient with me, teaching me legalese and the procedures for how things were done. He entrusted me through the years to realize a moral ethical code to live by. I always felt so honored to be working with him.”

Brenner said Shulman was so excited for her when she started her family. When her first daughter was born, Shulman was asking her consistently whether she had landed her Axel yet. “She was, like, 2 years old!” Brenner said with a laugh.

Brenner’s husband is a pilot for Delta Airlines, and Shulman had a love for flying, earning certification as an airline transport jet pilot who flew charter flights to Mayo Clinic to deliver organ transplant materials.

“He always had an interest in our travels as a family, and how I was raising my children on the ice,” Brenner said. “He always had the time and the patience to ask.”

Brenner wrote a poem for Shulman, which she read to him when the Lifetime Achievement Award was named for him at the PSA Conference in 2017.

“He will live on in my heart always,” she said.

“He had a real fit for his position within the PSA, and he had a wonderful sense of humor,” Rossignol said. “At board meetings, he would always come up with a comment that would cause everyone to laugh.

“David’s legacy, as it relates to the PSA, is as an inspiration to others,” she said. “He was always very giving of his time.”

Tribute to DAS

Written by Tania Yarema and Jackie Brenner

Here to honor someone so accomplished and praised,

Surrounded now by all you’ve guided and amazed

Titles and positions no rankings were missed The post nominal letters are too many to list

Higher education degrees, professional titles too So much greatness and there’s you just being you

Not enough to work in law, at every level…for all cause So driven and motivated, never so much as a pause

You’ve shared your knowledge in all you’ve learned Teaching the teachers at every turn

The numerous certifications credited to your name You can even teach someone to fly a plane

Legal Eagle in court, boardrooms even on a radio show Every challenge faced and conquered every line you did tow

Boating captain, NRA, ski patrol and much more Have you left any rock unturned, any mystery door?

56 years in PSA and many years of USFSA You’ve been so integral in the skating world of today

As competitior, as coach, as judge…all offices and commisions You’re poise, your passion, your class in every position

Stories of David Shulman to find out from where I asked around and some I can share

One mentioned a certain ice show, this story she picked An indian chief in trouble for his water gun trick

Another you called “Peanut” at just 6 years old Your constant love and compassion and hand to hold

“As moral compass to all” one would proclaim and tell Always wanting the greater good and handsome as well

Consensus of all that were approached Your dedication for your family stands out the most

Carole and your 4 children a love to admire Most of us dream and can hope to aspire

I remember being introduced as “Jackie Shulman” back a while Proudly warmed my heart, really made me smile

You’re always patient, kind, generous and sincere You’ve shown us all, everyone that is here

Integrity, commitment, leaving a legacy, your mark This fire that burns just from even the smallest of spark

Not a better person, collegue, family man you’ll meet So now as we rise up to our feet

We applaud your history, your present and future Your influence and impact will always endure!

The Legacy of David Shulman

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