2022 PSA Summit Recap and Reflection

2022 PSA Summit Recap and Reflection

By Teri Hooper

The “Journey” at the 2022 PSA Summit was a great learning experience, and it was so wonderful to reconnect with longtime friends and make new friendships. I was honored to serve as the Summit Chair and help plan the first in-person Summit since 2019. Of course, Summit would not be such an amazing event without all of you who attended. With over 300 coaches in attendance, it was a truly successful and celebratory event!

2022 Olympic Coaches' Panel

From meeting new 2022 Olympians, to a memorable President’s reception full of fun and dancing, the entire Summit was an enlightening event. The hybrid in-person and live streaming option enabled many to attend and be a part of the presentations with the amazing Matthew Lind as the live stream host.

Matthew Lind was our amazing Live Stream host

With a new shortened format and all sessions together in one room, we began our first day with a morning reunion followed by an up close and personal discussion with Olympians Madison Hubble and Zachary Donohue. Their honesty and openness in talking about their journey with all the ups and downs along the way was quite admirable and interesting to hear. On-ice sessions in the afternoon were able to be watched in the rink or in the warmth and comfort of the ballroom. Benoit Richaud presented us with new choreographic insight and Denise Myers shared her jump technique hints, while Drew Meekins gave us an array of exercises to improve spin positions. All were excellent and the live stream at the hotel provided some great up-close perspectives.

Benoit Richaud presents his choreography approach

Denise Myers shared her tips for developing jumps

Benoit Richaud works with skater Bradie Tennel

Coaches enjoyed watching Benoit Richaud work with his demonstrators

Jordan Mann presented Hockey 4 on-ice

Combining an impressive group of elite coaches with all attendees made for many good discussions and interactions on IJS judging, diversity, equity, and inclusion, resilience, and Learn to Skate information from the Aspire Group. Everything you want to know about ratings was presented in a lively talk by Denise Williamson and Cheryl Faust. A panel comprised of the 2022 USA Olympic coaching team was enlightening. All the trying experiences they had as they progressed through a very difficult event full of ups and downs on many levels from travel, discouraging COVID implications, and medals won made us all realize this was not a “normal” Olympics. Bringing home the gold and Rafael’s perspective of his journey with Nathan was intriguing.

Kadari Taylor-Watson offered a crucial and stirring session on DEI

Another highlight was the award banquet where all attendees were invited. Some past award winners were finally able to be acknowledged along with the 2022 winners. Congratulations to all the EDI award winners!

Many coaches were recognized during the PSA Business Meeting

Many touching stories and journeys were presented and shared throughout the Summit. We ended the 2022 Summit with full hearts, renewed friendships, and new education to take home and reflect upon. In addition, we welcomed a new PSA President, Rebecca Stump!

Remember, you can continue to watch all 2022 Journey presentations on PSA TV throughout the year. This is included for those of you that attended Summit, whether virtual or in person.

Coaches take it back in time in vintage US Open apparel

We are already preparing for the 2023 Summit in Orlando. It is my hope that many of you will start planning now to attend and learn side-by-side with your fellow coaches. We will be implementing a new type of presentation and education with an IJS focus. See you next May in Orlando!

Carol Rossignol was honored for her twenty years of service to PSA

Jackson Ultima presentation