7 minute read
PS Foundation Helps Coaches in Need
Here’s Emma Baxter’s Story
BY PATRICIA HAGEN
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It would be understandable if Emma Baxter never wanted to talk about October 23, 2020, ever again. That’s when a man attacked her in the parking lot of a skating rink, stabbing her 16 times, slamming her head on the pavement, and nearly choking her to death.
Baxter actually does want to talk about the random, early morning assault in Columbus, Ind. “I love to talk about it because I’m alive to do so.
“I saw the body cam video” taken by the police, she said. “It was shocking. The hunting knife, it was huge. How did I escape that?”
The 35-year-old coach also wants to talk about her recovery and especially her gratitude. She’s thankful the police arrived in time to chase off the attacker and start first aid. She’s thankful for the emotional and financial support of the skating community. “People were so kind. That pulled me through the hardest times,” she said.
To help with Baxter’s medical expenses, Lincoln Center Skate Club and a Columbus sporting goods store organized the “Emma Strong” fundraiser. "I was so grateful," she said, for a donation from the PS Foundation, which helped pay bills during the months she was unable to work.
PS Foundation president Patrick O'Neil said the organization is a resource for coaches, like Baxter, who are in great financial need due to illness or disability. "The foundation relies on people who love figure skating to donate. We're always seeking donations to continue to give back to the coaches and performing skaters in our community," he said. "We support each other."
In 2019, Baxter had restarted her coaching career in her home town after tours with Disney on Ice in Europe and the United States. Baxter often taught early morning lessons at the Columbus rink where she grew up skating with her mother, coach Katie Baxter.
That awful morning, she noticed an unfamiliar car in the dark, quiet parking lot. The driver confronted her and then slammed his car into hers. Baxter called her mother, who called 911.
Baxter also called 911 herself, screaming: “I need help.” When the man pulled her from her car, the phone was still connected to 911. “He said, ‘I’m going to kill you.’ ”
The attacker ran off when help arrived minutes later. Police arrested him within hours at a nearby house as Baxter was taken by ambulance and helicopter to an Indianapolis trauma hospital. At first, because of a stab wound to her chest, Baxter said, “they weren’t sure I was going to make it.”
This was during a pandemic surge, she recalled, and the hospital had to restrict visits from her anxious husband and family. After five days, she was happy to go home to recover.
“The doctors were shocked how quickly I healed,” she said, attributing her recovery to love and support from family and friends. “I knew I was going to be okay.”
The Columbus skating community also breathed a sigh of relief when the police determined the attack was not directed specifically at Baxter or the skating rink. The attacker was sentenced in December 2021 to 50 years in prison on an attempted murder charge, and for being a habitual offender.
As the case wound through the legal system, EXCELLENCE therapy helped Baxter deal with the emotional ON ICE and physical wounds.
She pulled herself together because the club needed choreography for the spring ice show.
Now she feels “100 percent healthy.” The other day, she practiced Axels and double loops. “I do a lot of choreography for the kids. I can’t stand still. I keep going. It’s cold.”
“Now I drive over the crime scene every day,” she said. “I grew up there. I don’t let it bother me.”
The only outward reminder of the assault is a small scar on her face. “A dimple. I’m not a fan of it, but it’s better than death.”
“I want to thank the entire skating community around the world,” she said. “They changed my life.”
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Watch Skating = Help Coaches
BY PATRICK O’NEIL, PS FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
We are excited to announce that the U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships will be taking place as a virtual event again this year but with a fun, hybrid twist. Registration is now open with a deadline of Sunday, April 10, 2022. Live judging and awards presentation will take place in conjunction with the PSA Summit on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, IL. Competitors who can join us live will be invited to sit on stage with the judges to hear their feedback, while those not in attendance will join us live, via Zoom. Appetizers will be served and there will be a cash bar for competitors and guests in attendance.
U.S. Open Sponsor
The Virtual U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships will feature one event, consisting of men’s, ladies, pairs, dance, specialty act, and group and will be judged based on “total performance” with an eye to costuming, presentation, music selection, choreography, style, and technique. The event will be conducted under the rules and regulations set forth by the Professional Skaters Association. The competition is open to all international performing and teaching professionals. Competitors must be at least 16 years of age by the registration deadline.
Registration must be completed online by 11:59pm CST on April 1, 2022. The Entryeeze online registration link is now available at 2022 Virtual U.S. Open Pro Figure Skating Championships Home (entryeeze.com) Registrations may be limited and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. All video and music submissions will need to be uploaded by Sunday, May 1, 2022.
The PS Foundation encourages all participating competitors to actively seek a Champion level sponsor to cover their entry fee. Competitors may choose to seek a sponsorship from their club, rink or interclub association. All sponsors, including Champion sponsorships, will receive special recognition during the Live Premiere Event.
Additionally, the PS Foundation encourages all coaches to reach out to the clubs they are affiliated with and encourage the club to become a sponsor for the U.S. Open. All sponsorship donations will go to the Professional Skaters Foundation (PS Foundation) which is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and you may claim that you did not receive any goods or services in consideration, in whole or part, for your contribution.
The Grand Champion Award plus a cash prize of $ 2,500, and three special awards plus a $ 1,000 cash prize each, will be presented to four winners at the completion of the event during the Virtual Awards Presentation. The Grand Champion will also have a performance opportunity with Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY).
For those of you whose competitive days are over, but are interested in watching the U.S. Open Championships, you can go to the PSA online store to register for the link. A registration fee of $ 10 will automatically enter you into a prize drawing and the event link will be sent May 24, the day of the event.
On behalf of the entire PS Foundation, we hope you will all join us for a terrific event!
