November/December 2016 by Professional Skaters Association

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER

2016

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NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2016

COLUMNS 2

Over the Edge

President’s Message

Ratings

SafeSport

| Jimmie Santee | Christine Fowler-Binder

| Tom Hickey | U.S. Figure Skating

Sport Science

Education

Real Life Coaching

Legal Ease

Ice Stars for Wounded Warriors

PROFILE :

2017 PSA Conference | Nashville, TN

What Do Maia & Alex Shibutani Say?

Cindy Stuart

| Kent McDill

| Terri Milner Tarquini

| Heidi Thibert

| Carol Rossignol | Bob Mock

| David Shulman

DEPARTMENTS 7 25 34

FEATURES

Rating Exams Passed Obituary New Members

Warmest wishes for the winter season ahead

PSA Calendar of Events Elizabeth Thornton | Editor/Advertising Carol Rossignol | Contributing Editor Amanda Taylor | Art Director

Issue No 6 #ISSN-574770 |

WWW.SKATEPSA.COM

Find, Friend, Follow

» COVER - "Joy", at home in the Taylor-Gebler Gallery at PSA headquarters

PS MAGAZINE

OVER THE EDGE Jimmie Santee, MPD, MG PSA OFFICERS President First Vice President Second Vice President Third Vice President Treasurer Past President

The Gambler

n the last issue I wrote about the necessity of change. The editorial was written prior to PSA’s decision to withdraw from the potential merger with ISI. After the announcement was made that the merger was not moving forward, I had the opportunity to pull the editorial from the magazine. I decided against it. The point that I was making was still valid—change is inevitable. So are challenges and opportunities. While it was an emotionally difficult decision to make, it was in the best interest of PSA. It also reminded me of the Kenny Rodgers song, “The Gambler”: You've got to know when to hold 'em Know when to fold 'em Know when to walk away And know when to run PSA folded the hand…we didn’t walk away or run. We are still at the table and hopefully the three organizations can still find a way to support one national learn to skate program. This is important as we need to rebuild the industry from the bottom up, not the other way around. Comparing Learn to Skate USA and ISI’s weSKATE shows that skill progressions are similar and both are successful when taught by properly trained instructors. That being said, there is no comparison between the management system, and the marketing and support materials of Learn to Skate USA. When I reviewed the new Learn to Skate USA program, it was obvious that U.S. Figure Skating and their partners spared no expense and capitalized on their considerable resources to deliver a first rate product. Learn to Skate USA is endorsed by U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey, U.S. Speedskating, Special Olympics, and the PSA. That is going to be tough to beat. There will, however, be numerous challenges and opportunities to overcome and capitalize on. The two biggest challenges will be overcoming a perceptual loss of ISI philosophy of participation and the stigma that ISI skaters are less than their U.S. Figure Skating counterparts. The reality is that U.S. Figure Skating has been developing and promoting recreational skating for many years. The Compete USA (formerly Basic Skills) competitions, National Showcase, Theatre on Ice, and Test Track events are several examples of U.S. Figure Skating events open to recreational skaters. Can ISI help U.S. Figure Skating improve those programs and events? A resounding yes! ISI was built upon the notion that skating can be rewarding for everyone. ISI encourages participation as a recreational sport for skaters of all ages and abilities. ISI Competitions also are team events. Skaters represent their rink or club and while a skater can win individual awards, they also gain points for their team towards an overall competition title. As for producing the best skaters, the very best U.S. figure skaters have come from both organizations. They all started somewhere. Personally, I don’t believe it’s about the system, but rather the skills of the skating director and the quality of instruction. The greatest opportunity is that itself…opportunity. Together we can achieve more and have the resources to make skating great again. If U.S. Figure Skating were able to adopt the best of what ISI could offer, along with their great resources and experience, I would say, “I’m all in.” The Gambler lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC Songwriter: Don Schlitz

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

PSA BOARD OF GOVERNORS West Mid-West East 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 State Workshops 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 Todd Sand Teri Klindworth Hooper Patrick O'Neil Tim Covington Robyn Petroskey-Poe Cindy Sullivan Jason Dilworth Carey Tinkelenberg Robbie Kaine Tom Hickey Don Corbiell Scott McCoy Ben Miller-Reisman Kelley Morris Adair Jimmie Santee David Shulman Tim Covington Angie Riviello Rebecca Stump Don Corbiell TBD Rebecca Stump 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 Tom Hickey 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 Liz Egetoe 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 Tracey Seliga-O’Brien 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, 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. 507.281.5122, Fax 507.281.5491, Emai: office@skatepsa.com © 2016 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. ISSN-574770. Second-class Postage Paid at Rochester, MN 55901 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER send address changes to The Professional Skater, 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Printed in the USA.

The Joy of Coaching

IVEAWAY G Y H O LIDA

2016

Stop by our Facebook stop by our facebook page starting

page starting december th 10win 5thDecember for a chance to to get some free PSA with our 12 day holiday products with our Giveaway!

12 Day Holiday ProfSk8rsAssoc Giveaway!

“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

Do you copy? Is your email address on file up-to-do date? If not, please be sure to update the address your PSA account is linked to so that you won’t miss out on any communications. Sign on to www.skatepsa.com today!

*It appears that AOL members can have some difficulty receiving PSA communications. To avoid any problems, please update the email by signing into your account or by contacting Jamie at jlsantee@skatepsa.com

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PS MAGAZINE

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

Looking Forward T

he last few weeks as PSA President have been eventful. In May of 2016, we announced that Professional Skaters Association (PSA) had started negotiations with Ice Skating Institute (ISI) for potential affiliation and merger. In an attempt to strengthen figure skating as a whole, ISI and PSA believed we could merge the two organizations, giving figure skating a more unified front. However, on August 31, 2016, the executive committee of PSA voted to terminate both the management agreement and merger negotiations with ISI upon receiving such recommendation from Davis Law Firm. Davis Law Firm was engaged to complete the due diligence requirement of the merger negotiations. Because of the confidentiality provision in the agreement, additional information will not be released publicly. As stated in an ISI press release, “While the organizations encountered some issues that could not be overcome, they remain committed to the solid and mutually supportive relationship they have enjoyed over the years. Both ISI and PSA look forward to continuing to collaborate to best serve the ice sports industry.” PSA concurs with this statement and looks forward to continuing negotiations to eliminate duplicate services and to promote a single national learn to skate program. I would like all of our members to know that the PSA staff, as well as the executive committee, worked tirelessly on the potential merger. We will continue to work to keep our relationship with ISI strong, as well as continue to provide coaches’ education to their members.

IONAL D AY

COACHES C E L E B R AT E COACH

c t o b e r

How did you celebrate National Coaches Day? Here are just some of the photos that were shared with us of coaches feeling the love!

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

In addition, the PSA staff has been busy orchestrating nationwide seminars across the country. Thank you to those coaches who attended, as well as the coaches who volunteered their time to present on behalf of PSA. We are lucky to have you on our team! Regional webinars are also coming up in the next few weeks, so check your email or ARC e-blasts for dates these are being offered. And believe it or not, the 2017 PSA Conference is already being planned in Nashville, Tennessee! The first week of every month our executive committee participates in a conference call to discuss committees, events, and other issues facing our organization. These calls have been extremely productive and provide direction to our entire board. The PSA fall board meeting will be held the first weekend of November in Nashville. And lastly, if you or someone you know is interested in getting involved with PSA, either running for the board or working on a committee, please contact your area representative for more information! I am honored to serve the PSA and am looking forward to the months to come.

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RATINGS Tom Hickey, MG, MPD

Important IJS Updates Shed Those Nerves with Attention to Detail!

ill you read this article if it’s about an important IJS update? Most likely, yes. Well it’s not, but I ask you to read it anyway. This article is about an amazing Las Vegas experience and the rating examinations that went with it. I’d like to reflect on lessons learned, observations on a fun yet exhausting process, and of course, on all the wonderful people—examinees and examiners alike! Peppered through the halls of “Planet Hollywood”, I observed a vast number of rookie and veteran coaches preparing for the final countdown. Each candidate had a bit of nervous anticipation as they prepared to pass along the knowledge of their craft in exchange for a firm congratulatory handshake. After sitting in on multiple PSA examinations during which many members impressed me with their smart and insightful answers to very tough questions, I came away energized and inspired! That being said, one candidate truly stood out. Kimberly Berry, the consummate skating professional, is now a master rated program director. When we met Kimberly at this spring’s PSA Conference, the panel of examiners was impressed with her professionalism, high energy, and ability to draw us into her discussion. She was adept at keeping the communication productive and on-track. While the focus was on goals and objectives, she kept things moving at an energetic pace through the appropriate use of natural humor and wit. Her willingness to engage with examiners before, during, and after the exam truly speaks volumes of her professionalism and knowledge. How did she accomplish this? How did she appear so relaxed? She was prepared! I encourage every coach wishing to take a ratings exam to tear a page out of Kimberly’s book—be prepared. Confidence in your knowledge and abilities is one of the best ways to ward off nerves. If you have a solid game plan, you’ll feel less nervous about what might happen. I don’t know about you, but when I have an exam scheduled, it seems like my lungs only work at half capacity, until I remember that I have the knowledge and the experience. I just need to relax! Sometimes I think rating examinees get too intimidated by the word “examiner”. You have to remember that these people are coaches and colleagues who once sat

in your seat. Keeping this perspective will hopefully help you realize that your examiner is probably more understanding than you think. Tip: breathing is one of the best ways to stay calm. Focusing on the breath can help keep anxiety levels low, making you less likely to stumble over words or leave out an important concept. If a question is stressing you out, take a deep breath before addressing the question. I guarantee you’ll look and be more in control. My inspiration for this article was not just Kimberly Berry alone, but an article written by Gabriel Ginebra. After reading the below article, I immediately was drawn to the memory of Berry’s outstanding master program director exam. “No Amount of Genius Can Replace an Attention to Detail” by Gabriel Ginebra Every good manager must also be a teacher—in both senses of the term. A manager is someone who has expertise and knowledge, and a teacher is someone who knows how to instruct others. A manager must be good at his job, act professional, and possess technical competence. Formal authority must be preceded and accompanied by expertise. If you work better than I, you’ll have authority over me. The day you’re no longer able to teach something to those who depend on you—the day you stop surprising them—is the day you will lose your credibility as a manager. Regardless of how much you emphasize the importance of attitude in leadership, it is undeniable that no one can be an effective leader if he fails to excel in his job functions or does not know his trade. When managers want to lead people in a company, it is essential for them to stand out in the trade or business of that company. For instance, you can’t direct films without knowing about movies, or lead a band without having a good ear. That is why, for many years, engineers are primarily the ones who lead industrial management; account managers in advertising are typically very creative; chemists and pharmacologists hold key positions in the pharmaceutical industry; computer companies are led by people continued on page 9

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

Recently Passed

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 Taylor Blair Maria Eugenia Cerezo Gabrielle Clayton Wolfgang Ebersole Lisa Feigenbaum Margaret Rose Hausmann Alex Johnson Erica Miller Lindsey Packer Adrian Shin Kiana Stadler Joanne Yates-Trojansky Katie Zaczkowski

Congra

coachuelastions !

Congratulations to the following candidates who passed a rating exam: Pelham, AL | August 4-5, 2016

Estero, FL | August 26-27, 2016

Phillip Bagnall CG Konstantin Baradakov SFS, CM Linda Charlene Barnett RM Lisa Bosecker-Henderson RG Michelle Cox RG Ashley Deavers RM Kristen Hemstreet SPD Craig Henderson CPD Kristen Hipolito RG Amy Ladogana RG Melinda Mowdy RFS, SG Laurie Sanii RM Anita Saxena CFS, SG Kaysi Thompson CM Calla Urbanski-Petka CFS, RG

Rebecca Ann Clark RFS, CM Jenna Dispenza RFS Vinny Dispenza RG Kandis Eckloff RG, CM Lisa Geltz-Perri CM Silvia Rodriguez-Leal RFS Karen Roppelt RFS Margarita Tyler RM Calla Urbanski-Petka SM

Congratulations to the following coaches and their master-rated mentors for successfully completing the PSA Apprentice Program: Apprentice: Maggie Shi Jessica Williams Lindsay Gillis

Level & Discipline: L1 Group Instructor L1 Dance Instructor L1 Free Skating

Mentor(s): Deborah Leitner Jones MG, MM Stefano Stangalini MD Debi Leeming MFF

Congratulations to the following coaches who received a PSA Foundations of Coaching certiďŹ cate at the following sites: Arlington, VA | July 2016 Dawn Adkins-Harter Marylyn Anderson Sharon Brusie Madeline Buchman Tina Buckingham Stephanie Carter Lori Cervinka-Mchugh Kathleen Chubb Sydney Cosentino Melissa Daniluck Brenda Denny Isabella Devroye Leslie Fleming Virginia Henderson Abigail Huddle

Antioch, TN | August 2016 Kristin Huppi Karen Hutter-Branson Rashid Kadyrkaev Kitty Kelly Mcgorry Caroline Kriner Jodie Kristy Mary Krupnik Barbara Kuhn Molly Moriak Rachel Nevares Inna Ovsiannikova Tatiana Payne Rick Reyor Tommy Steenberg Allison Shiffer

Nate Viera Danielle Viola Inna Volyanskaya Paige Warner

Caroline Bowden Carley Bryant Julia Colello Heather Buckner Dodge Ronnie Downing Ginger Friedenberger Michelle Gares Sarah Guenther Abigail Hable Kelly Hobbs William Cody Howard Erin Hussey Sherrina Hwang Angela Jones Megan Lenard

Hannah Mazzaferro DeMetri Moon-Nance Kaylee Nathan Emily Outlaw Melika Rabiei Caitlin Rice Erin Sanislo Keri Sawyer Gina Stefanov Kayla Tanner Michelle Thornbury Julia Vlassov Charles Ward Emma Ward

PS MAGAZINE

SAFESPORT

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT How to Recognize, Reduce and Respond to Sexual Misconduct What you need to know to protect athletes Sport can teach lessons that reach beyond the field of play, but its ability to do so depends on maintaining the bonds of trust, mentorship and mutual respect among teammates. These elements are undermined when sexual misconduct occurs in sport settings. Sexual misconduct includes sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and rape. Every member of the sport community, especially adult staff in positions of authority, can contribute to a sport environment free from sexual misconduct by working together and being informed. Definition Sexual misconduct involves any touching or non-touching sexual interaction that is nonconsensual or forced, coerced or manipulated, or perpetrated in an aggressive, harassing, exploitative or threatening manner. It also includes any sexual interaction between an athlete and an individual with evaluative, direct or indirect authority. Last, any act or conduct described as sexual abuse or misconduct under federal or state law (e.g., sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, rape) qualifies as sexual misconduct. Notes  An imbalance of power is always assumed between a coach and an athlete.  Minors cannot consent to sexual activity with an adult; and all sexual interaction between an adult and a minor is strictly prohibited. Examples of Sexual Misconduct Touching offenses  Fondling an athlete’s breasts or buttocks  Exchange of reward in sport (e.g., team placement, scores, feedback) for sexual favors  Genital contact  Sexual relations or intimacies between participants in a position of trust, authority and/or evaluative and supervisory control over athletes or other sport participants Non-touching offenses  Sexually-oriented comments, jokes or innuendo made to or about an athlete, or other sexually harassing behavior  A coach discussing his or her sex life with an athlete  A coach asking an athlete about his or her sex life  A coach requesting or sending a nude or partial-dress photo to athlete  Exposing athletes to pornographic material

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continued from page 6

who are talented with computers, and newspapers are often headed by prominent journalists. My company, my school Teaching is essential to being an effective boss. Leading does not mean telling people what to do and waiting to see what they accomplish. Instead, it is in large part guiding them through a process. It would be very easy to simply engage in acquiring skills and then apply them to the job at hand, as if you were putting a puzzle together. But leading people requires a more hands-on approach, regardless of their level of education. You must train employees on the skills you expect them to know. This is the only way to grow in-house talent, and it goes beyond simply managing existing talent. However, teaching is seldom found among the skills considered essential for leadership. No one records or even remembers the number of employees who have been promoted due to careful, continual training by a hands-on manager. Do we teach our managers how to teach? Do we choose them and promote them by this criterion? Or do we just promote employees who sell or produce the most? Going from knowing something, to knowing how to teach it, is not easy. Knowing how to teach requires knowledge of the subject first and foremost. But many wise people totally lack the attitude and skills required for teaching their wisdom to others. Interestingly, we think people are very smart when we don’t understand them at all.

in the United States ignore the core of the little task that makes their businesses successful. We can all learn from this. In summary, the correlation between being a great teacher, and or a great manager, is simply that we have to be great leaders. It is dependent upon us that we continue to educate ourselves at any means, even by the inspiration of another coach, or a random article. Our students, parents, and professional reputation are at risk if we are not prepared to lead; so let’s lead by example! Ginebra, G. (2013) “No Amount of Genius Can Replace an Attention” www.td.org. Accessed 9/13/2016

Master the technical aspect of your business You need to know the technical details of your business, and to master the techniques that make you excellent at your craft. We speak little about microskills, the technical aspects of a job, and the craft associated with each position. Without mastery of and appreciation for these techniques, it is difficult to achieve excellence, and it is difficult to truly enjoy and take pride in your work. We must understand each business in its concrete specificity. The heir of Cafés de Veracruz knew that in coffee, the most important thing is the process (of how it is harvested, cleaned, dried, and so forth), and the raw material is less important. Each company has a unique customer base, brand, and assets, and a unique way to buy, sell, trade, hire, and strategize that should differentiate it from other competitors. We must grasp the critical points of our business. We often relegate the micro-skills, the specific tasks, and mastery of the techniques that make us good at what we do, to the lower levels of the company. In the popular TV program Undercover Boss, we can see how vice presidents of the bigger companies

PS MAGAZINE

SPORT SCIENCE Heidi Thibert, MFS, MM, MC

Success in Sports Injury Recovery with Low Intensity Light Therapy B y M e l i n d a C o u c h , P T a n d J e f f B i c k f o r d , G C F P, M o v e m e n t a n d P e r f o r m a n c e A n a ly s t a n d T r a i n e r

What is Low Intensity Light Therapy? It is the utilization of light photons applied at specific wavelengths to stimulate a tissue healing effect in the various tissues of the body. The terms “low intensity” and “cold laser” refer to class 3B and 4-type lasers which are non-thermal and do not produce heat vs. “hot lasers” which are surgical instruments used to cut or destroy tissues. Low intensity light therapy has been proven to be not only effective at healing tissues but is completely safe. In over 1 million applications since the 1960’s there have been zero instances of harm.

How does LILT promote tissue healing? Light therapy works at a cellular level. The photons of light penetrate into the tissues and stimulate a cascade of effects that lead to tissue healing. This includes an increased production of ATP in the mitochondria and increased DNA synthesis both of which lead to increased production of new healthy collagen fibers and proteins. Muscles are formed of protein filaments called actin and myosin. Collagen is the main component of connective tissues (tendons and ligaments) and is also abundant in cartilage, bones and discs. Therefore light therapy helps form new healthy tissue in an injured area. It also stimulates increased white blood cell formation, including a portion of our white blood cells called macrophages. Macrophages are a bit like little “Pac-men” in that their job is to clean up scar tissue and debris. So the light therapy also helps in the reduction of scar tissue in an injured area. One of the leading researchers of low intensity light therapy or laser therapy is Fred Kahn, MD of Toronto, Canada. Dr. Kahn’s medical training is as a general and vascular surgeon. He studied vascular surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and at Baylor Hospital in Houston, Texas with one of the finest heart transplant surgeons in the world. He stumbled upon laser therapy in 1986 when he had been convinced by a friend to try laser

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

therapy treatment for his torn rotator cuff. The laser treatments worked and he avoided surgery! He eventually gave up vascular surgery and began focusing all of his attention on studying and applying light therapy to his patients in wound healing. He obtained remarkable success and eventually had a light therapy system built for his research and use with his patients. This was the Bioflex Low Intensity Light System and is what Dr. Kahn utilizes today in his three clinics across Canada (Meditech International with two locations in Toronto and one in Vancouver). Meditech treats 1,500 patients per week with over an 80% success rate in promoting healing to various diagnoses such as ligament sprains, muscle strains, spinal disc injuries, degenerative joint conditions, wound-healing and brain injury.

This Is NOT Just Cold Laser: In the hundreds of clinical and control studies conducted at Meditech, Dr. Kahn has discovered several things about light therapy. First he has learned that for the best tissue healing to occur, three different applications of light are required: red light, infrared light, and infrared cold laser. Red light LED’s are utilized first to prepare the tissues for deeper healing and to help improve circulation. This is followed by an infrared band of LED’s. This light penetrates about five centimeters into the body spreading the healing light deeper still. Finally a cold laser probe of concentrated infrared light is utilized. A probe can deliver much more power than LED’s, in a focused beam that goes very deep. Dr. Kahn discovered via research and clinical use that if only cold laser is applied it is not able to penetrate as deeply into the tissues (to be able to reach disc tissue or cartilage for example). It is much more effective if near red and then infrared light are applied first. This is what makes the Bioflex System so unique compared to other laser therapy systems on the market today. Most other units are either cold laser alone, infrared and red light mixed together (without cold laser), or red light and infrared LED’s and

Light therapy/ laser therapy - helping injuries heal faster to keep skaters on the ice. Melinda Couch and skater Alexa Scimeca-Knierim.

cold laser diodes in one head that come on simultaneously rather than in a specific sequence. In addition to this, Dr. Kahn has found that TIME is a very important parameter for light to be able to heal tissues. Therefore if a cold laser is applied to an arthritic knee joint or a herniated disc in the lumbar spine for just 5-10 minutes, it is likely that very little tissue healing will occur. Treatments under Dr. Kahn’s protocols range from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on the area of the body being treated.

The Brain’s Way of Healing We first learned about Low Intensity Light Therapy and Dr. Kahn’s successful application of light therapy in Dr. Norman Doidge’s book The Brain’s Way of Healing. Dr. Doidge has been following recent research in the field of neuroplasticity and had attended a lecture given by Dr. Kahn in Toronto a few years ago in which he was discussing his use of light therapy in brain injury recovery. This intrigued Dr. Doidge to such an extent that he began to spend time at Dr. Kahn’s clinic watching them utilize light therapy in tissue healing and decided to put a chapter about Dr. Kahn’s success in his new book.

treatment option for our patients and could see that it could have a valuable application in sports injury recovery. We have been using the Bioflex for over six months now with great success. We have been particularly excited in the results we have achieved with acute athletic injuries in several figure skaters, dancers, runners and volleyball players so far. Several of these injuries were moderate to severe and we achieved healing in 4-8 sessions. We have seen results in injuries such as ankle sprains, wrist sprains, knee sprains/strains, plantarfascial strains/tears, gastroc strain/tear, cuboid subluxation, spinal strain and spinal disc bulges with great success for the athlete. Without the utilization of Low Intensity Light Therapy, we feel that these athletes would have been out of their sport for much longer and might not have been able to compete at their respective National and World Championship events. You can learn more about our program and Low Intensity Light Therapy at www.Peakperformancept.org or on our light therapy website at www.PeakLiLT.com. Many cities across the United States now have a Bioflex LILT program and are using Meditech’s protocols. To locate a Bioflex LILT system nearest you go to www.Bioflexlaser.com. Melinda Couch, PT is a Team USA PT for U.S. Figure Skating. She has attended several World Championship events and was the U.S. Team PT for Figure Skating at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Melinda is the owner of Peak Performance Physical Therapy and co-owner of Peak LiLT in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jeff Bickford, GCFP, Movement and Performance Analyst and Trainer, is co-owner of Peak LiLT in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can find out more at www.unfetterredmovement.org.

This article was written by Melinda Couch in her personal and professional capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of the Professional Skaters Association or U.S. Figure Skating. As it is not the intention of the PSA to provide specific medical advice, all individuals should always consult with a qualified medical professional before beginning any medical treatments or procedures.

Our Story at Peak Performance Physical Therapy and Peak LiLT, LLC. We eventually followed in Dr. Doidge’s footsteps and landed at Meditech’s doorstep to see for ourselves. After three days we were fairly convinced that this was a valid

PS MAGAZINE

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

Play as a Component of Group Skating Classes? YES! b y c h É r i e fa r r i n gt o n mp d , mg | p h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f s p o r t s c i e n c e f u n

“G

irls Just Want to Have Fun” and so do boys! Every day new students enter our rinks and take their first steps on ice. This can be a moment of total joy and elation…or the sad lifetime statement of, “Yeah, I tried ice skating once.” Unlike many other sports, skating—and all its areas: learn to skate, freestyle, power, Theater On Ice, etc.— can bring a life time of joy to a huge variety of people, and many different ages. What other business have clients who come to you one, two, or three times a week, over a 10-year plus period? Certainly not your hairstylist nor your dentist.

We’re in the memory-making business This year at conference I was awestruck as Scott Hamilton shared his understanding of the importance of making skating simply fun. “We are in the memory-making business!” We create joyous moments in people’s lives. The number one reason children quit any sport is that they’re just not having fun. Everyone starts as a recreational participant. Before “training” can even really begin, children evaluate their interest based purely on the pleasure of feeling good and having fun. As skating coaches and program directors, we are tasked to create the same joy as a game-winning soccer goal. Memory-making can be very subtle: a warm friendly “good morning” smile or an explosive and enthusiastic, “Janey, that’s it! You’ve got your three-turn!”. Positive skating experiences, coupled with confidence-building interaction, create happy memories on the ice. Kick-off memory-making classes this winter: 1. Take five to ten minutes to design a lesson plan for each class. Use a variety of traffic patterns and you’ll S.C.O.R.E. high with students. 2. Insist on a SafeSport environment. It’s more than a list of policies. Engage all staff to know the basics of how to avoid bad situations and handle crisis. 3. Tap into your students and what motivates them. It may not be what motivated you as a skater, nor be

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something you ever thought about. Connect skating skills to something that interests them.

Don’t worry. Be H.A.P.P.Y. when you coach group classes H – How to fall properly: Skaters of all levels, in all disciplines, should practice and become comfortable with quickly regaining their balance to a neutral position, as well as falling without injury. Practice very low dips and explain how lowering your center of gravity makes it easier to fall to the side on your hip. Practice from a stand-still then gliding in various positions. A – Alignment: From the very first-step on the ice to advanced moves in the field, skaters find their balance by returning to a neutral body ready-position. •The stand-still, ready position is the same for ALL skating sports. Ready position is a balanced neutral position with the weight centered on the blade. •Use “Tony Chestnut” to teach ready position: Toes in line with Knees (sitting position), Chest is upright, hands on the table, and Nut (head) looking up, not down at the ice. •Work on this position off the ice and against a wall, then on the ice standing, then gliding. You will see skaters achieve their balance point. •Now it gets fun: once moving, the alignment and body weight balances shifts to the foot on the ice— the skating side. Coaches can then start introducing, “the skating side” and “the free side.” •Skaters feel their bodies balancing in the space around them. Wow! P – Plan ahead to match traffic patterns to the learning phase. Now that they’re moving, set up patterns as part of games, obstacle courses, circuits, etc. Use a variety of traffic patterns and you’ll

Let's play a game! Here's an example of a class of 10-12 skaters using five traffic patterns. The skills being taught are determined by the class level and the students' learning phases. Set students up for success. Use drills, exercises, games, obstacle courses and circuits.

3. Semi-circle, traveling clockwise

4. Single Row, wait your turn

2. "S" Curve, skills rotating to the right, and clockwise skaters, start by facing the right, entering on a RFO or LFI edge

S.C.O.R.E. high with students. This makes class interesting, and dare I say it, FUN! P – Play a game! Even the word game sounds like fun! Incorporate colorful, soft props and set up games to encourage friendship among students. Engage students with creativity. Y – Yes! You can do it! Be a motivator. Find 20 ways to say, “Great job”. Sandwich technical coaching instruction, with what you see the skater is doing right.

Snowplow Sam to Free skate 6: Use your V.O.I.C.E. V – Voice and smile. Speak loudly when addressing the entire group and in a slightly lower tone than normal. Use a fun cue to get students to come to you, like “Huddle”. Let them know they have 30 seconds to listen and focus. O – Offer individual attention. Learn your students by name. I – Instill positive class discipline methods to set behavior expectations. C – Connect with students and be Concise. Make eye contact with students whenever possible. Share your love for the sport by smiling. Let them see the creative side of your personality. Maybe a joke to start or end your class? Perhaps warm-up skills done to your favorite song? • When giving technical instruction be very Concise (30-45 seconds). Use key words and drawings to explain what we are trying to get our body and blade to do.

Snowplow, T-stop, Hockey stop

1. Single Row

5. Single Straight Line, for a wall exercise

E – End by saying thank you to each student. Give respect to your students. Guide children on how to show respect and kindness.

Traffic Patterns Use a variety of traffic patterns and you’ll S.C.O.R.E. high with students. Students will ask, “Can we play more games? Can we do another obstacle course like that one!”

PS MAGAZINE

The skills you work on are determined by the: • Ice space you have been given • Number of skaters and their learning phase • Skater’s learning phase: introducing, reviewing, or mastering S – Straight lines work well for stand-in-place instruction or with any forward moving skills. Single straight line row allow two to six skaters, a small group, to do the move across the ice while you give individual feedback. Forward moving skills: marching/stroking; swizzles to dip; 1 foot glides up into arabesque; straight line spirals; toe and tap jumps in a row; forward power pulls C – Circles to develop all eight basic edges. Allows coach to use a variety of circle sizes to have students “feel” the lean and balance point on each edge and in each body position. • Individual semi-circles: two foot and one foot threeturns; ALL edges; mohawks; waltz three-turn from a T-push; loop from a forward inside three-turn

• Semi-circles moving down the short axis: slalom and forward 1/2 swizzle pumps; toe loop jump • Large circles: backward 1/2 circle pumps; moving two foot and one foot three-turns; ALL edges; spirals on a circle; five-step mohawk sequence; waltz three-turn from a t-push; falling leaf O – Ovals (and double-ovals/butterflies): continuous movement traffic pattern and/or skills including fivestep Mohawk sequence and creative step sequence. R – Rows (single and multiple): allows the coach to divide the class into small groups to set the pace each group takes a turn and provides opportunity for direct feedback. Skills: lunges; bunny hops; side toe-hop E – Figure Eight and S curve develop spatial awareness and an understanding of right-of-way skating and edge quality. Chérie Farrington, Reston VA. MPD, MG and PSA Apprentice Program Master Mentor

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Ice Stars for Wounded Warriors event: Major General L Scott Rice and Miss Massachusetts Lauren Kuhn drop the puck at the final game and speak about the importance of raising funds for our military dealing with PTSD and TBI.

Ice Stars for Wounded Warriors BY KENT MCDILL

erry Togneri had to do something. Togneri, the long-time skating coach from Turner Falls, Massachusetts, welcomed her son Ryan home from the war in Iraq in 2006. Ryan, then 22, had come home with shrapnel throughout his body despite many surgeries overseas. He required more surgeries at home. But no surgery was going to repair the damage done to Ryan’s psyche and personality. When Ryan returned to war in Afghanistan a couple of years later and then lost his best friend and fellow Marine to injury, the emotional devastation was nearly complete.

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

“He was a very different kid when he came home,’’ Togneri said. So Kerry decided to do something that might help repair Ryan and other veterans in the Massachusetts area who could use an outlet for the psychological and emotional pain they came home with. Kerry created Ice Stars for Wounded Warriors, a hockey and figure skating program for veterans. There are hockey teams for those men and women who can still skate, there are sled hockey teams for those veterans who lost the use of their legs, and there are skating

programs for those veterans who want to enjoy the thrill of ice skating without competition. “We started Ice Stars for Wounded Warriors in 2011,’’ Togneri told PSA Magazine. “My passion is figure skating and hockey, and I know in the hockey world there are so many players who are military, and there are military teams, and it made sense to get them together. I wanted to have figure skaters and hockey players come into the same building on the same day for the same cause. It just made sense.” The first event in 2011 was a fund-

ABOVE: The first Lace up for Freedom last Veterans Day at Palm

Beach Skate Zone, Lake Worth, Florida. The Florida sled teams Bandits and Tiger Sharks joined in the fun.

LEFT: Ice Stars for Wounded Warriors event at UMass Amherst,

Massachusetts. John Coughlin, Caydee Denny, Courtney Hicks, Founder Kerry Togneri, Choreographers Chynna Pope and Elin Schran with a metal eagle to honor fallen military heroes by Tom Drumgol.

raising program that included a military procession to begin, a hockey game between the Massachusetts State Police and the Franklin County Sheriff ’s Department, followed by a figure skating program to conclude. All of Togneri’s skating students participated. “My students went above and beyond to keep me together when Ryan came home, so it made sense to reach out to my figure skating family—coaches, students and friends—and see what we could do,” Togneri said. The contributions of time continue to amaze Togneri. A recent event included participation from the 70-member women crew team from the University of Massachusetts, as well as the UMass Synchro skating team and the Boston University synchro team. “I think everybody has been touched by it,” Togneri said. “The girls are more emotional about it, and

it seemed like they wanted to give back any way they could.” Ice skating, whether figure or hockey, requires significant physical skills. But for veterans, the need to have a physical outlet for stressors is paramount, and skating can provide that for those veterans who came home with enough physical ability to participate. For those who cannot skate on their legs and feet, the sled hockey game has blossomed around the country, and especially in the Northeast, where ice skating is one of the most popular sporting events. “We had a veteran Paralympic athlete Rob Jones, who lost both his legs over in Iraq the same time my son was there, and he was able to participate with us,’’ Togneri said. “With any type of disability, there is way for them to play hockey.” Togneri’s group has joined with other programs in the Northeast to

create hockey leagues, and the wounded warriors team plays against hockey squads representing local and state law enforcement and fire departments. Togneri notes that not every wounded veteran who has participated in her programs comes with a skating background. She said some veterans are being introduced to the sport which “is really exciting”. “There is something unique about skating,’’ Togneri said. “There is always that thrill, the challenge, the speed factor, and I am told from people who served that there is a certain kind of rush to what they do over there. If we can create that rush during a game situation by always getting faster and better, I think that is really cool. “With the sled hockey, I think there is a rush from the new learning curve, a brand new challenge, so they can advance in that as well,’’ she said. Ryan Togneri’s story has become a happier one. A former star athlete at Westfield State University, he is back coaching the football team. He is also working for the government full-time. Togneri is hosted an event April 23, in which fraternities from UMass Amherst came together to create and play a hockey tournament in honor of the

PS MAGAZINE

Ice Stars for Wounded Warriors: ABOVE Major General L. Scott Rice and Miss Massachusetts Lauren Kuhn along with UMass ROTC Air Force cadets who donated their time for the event. ABOVE RIGHT U.S. Figure Skating champions Caydee Denney and John Coughlin take the ice. LEFT Sam Fitzgerald from SC of Amherst participated for a third year.

Wounded Warriors program. Togneri is also in talks to create a hockey tournament for Wounded Warriors in Boston in order to spread the word in that large skating community. “It’s limitless, what they can still do,’’ Togneri said. “There is so much this sport can offer these kids. There is the competitive side to hockey, and there is competition in figure skating, but skating can also provide the opportunity

to come out and get in your own little world. You can do edges. It does not have the same buzz as in a game situation, but it gives them a way to unwind and shut their world out and go into their own little world.” Then, when they come out of that little world, there is Togneri, offering to be there for their next skating experience. www.icestarsforwoundedwarriors.com

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE WALTER AND IRENE MUEHLBRONNER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The best way to predict the future is to create it. The Walter and Irene Muehlbronner Scholarship is available to PSA members for attendance at PSA education programs such as Rating Prep, Seminars, Workshops or the International Conference. SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTION In memory Walter Muehlbronner and in honor of Irene Muehlbronner, the Trustees of the Professional Skaters Foundation are proud to award the Walter and Irene Muehlbronner Scholarship. Scholarships are intended for the reimbursement of associated fees to attend PSA education programs. Up to four scholarships are awarded annually of up to $1000 each. These scholarships are intended for the development of coaching skills. Awards are based on dedication to coaching, sound character and ethical practices. Applicants must hold a Registered or higher rating in any discipline.

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

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APPLICATION DEADLINE: ELIGIBILIT Y

January 1, 2017 Four scholarships will be awarded for the 2017 season and must be used for 2017 programs only.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must: • Be a full member in good standing of the Professional Skaters Association for at least one year • Hold a Registered or higher rating in any discipline • Proof of liability insurance • Completed CER Category A or B for the 2016-2017 season • Race, religion, color, creed, sex and ethnic background are not considered in the selection of recipients.

SCHOL ARSHIP APPLIC ATION PACK AGE CONTENTS To apply for the Walter and Irene Muehlbronner Scholarship, complete the application package, including: • A completed Walter and Irene Muehlbronner Scholarship Application www.skatepsa.com • A 500 word essay regarding your coaching philosophy and goals • A letter of recommendation from a peer coach • A letter of recommendation from a client

Contact the PSA oﬃce for additional information or an application. The Professional Skaters Foundation (PSF) was founded to expand the educational opportunities of PSA members through a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable foundation. The Trustees of the PSF have developed several scholarship programs for its members through a selection process based on established guidelines and criteria.

PS MAGAZINE

[ PROFILE ]

Cindy Stuart

From the screen to real life, bringing beloved characters to the ice

BY TERRI MILNER TARQUINI

hen bringing the characteristics of different worlds to the ice, Cindy Stuart goes all in. Years ago when she was starting choreography for the Disney On Ice show featuring Finding Nemo, Stuart went to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, to study and research the sea creatures to, literally, get the motion of the ocean just right. Now she’s back in the thick of the underwater world, choreographing for Disney On Ice presents “Follow Your Heart,” featuring Finding Dory. “The language of the sea creature is such a fun thing to bring to the ice,” said Stuart, the 2016 Paul McGrath Choreographer of the Year Award winner, awarded by PSA and U.S. Figure Skating. “The costume designs are so smart and innovative in that they allow the performers’ faces to show and the colors are so amazing and beautiful.” So adventurous Nemo, overprotective Marlin and, of course, forgetful Dory are back for another turn in skates, but what about Hank, that curmudgeonly sevenlegged octopus with the heart of gold who befriends the talkative tang fish and helps her find her parents? “There are different ways to do these big things: remote control or motorized or skater-driven,” Stuart said. “Hank is skater-driven and not only can he move around the ice, but he can move his eyes and tentacles. Hank is one of the genius’ of Feld Entertainment and he’s absolutely brilliant.” Stuart was an accomplished singles skater who earned a bronze medal at the Junior National Championships and was a two-time member of the United States international team before she left her hometown of southern California at the age of 17 to join the Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice as a principal skater. In that same year, the leadership at Feld Entertainment purchased both of those touring productions, which eventually became known as Disney On Ice. Not one to just sit and watch, Stuart gets out and does the learning first-hand so her movements can be as genuine and spot-on as possible. “I’ve taken classes on rope twirling, flag twirling, rifle spinning, hula, martial arts,” she said. “Everything I do, I take a class or I outsource so I can really have a grasp on it. I really feel research is important; getting

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

ABOVE: Cindy works with Becky Bereswill on Let it Go. RIGHT: Director Patty Vincent and Cindy during rehearsals

it 100-percent right can’t be learned on YouTube. Yeah, you could try and fake it, but when you have 18 skaters performing as color guards on the ice, there is probably someone in that audience who really knows their color guard stuff and is going to know it’s faked. It’s important to get it right.” Stuart is ever-mindful of all of the eyes—and there are a lot of them—she has watching her work. “The performers come in not knowing how to portray a character and, in fairly short-order, they have to actually become Belle or Elsa or Anna,” Stuart said. “The move-

Cindy leads a Disney On Ice edge class

ments and the interpretation have to be spot-on. It’s very important to the filmmakers because they’re watching to make sure we’re staying true to the characters and the stories they created. And the audience has come to see their favorite characters so you have to be totally believable and true to the stories they love.” A researcher and a planner, it is no surprise Stuart is a self-proclaimed “mapper-outer,” who has about 85-percent of the choreography planned in her head and on paper before she ever steps foot into the ice rink. “One of the big challenges is the skaters come in

from a competitive background and they have learned to skate through private lessons,” Stuart said. “But we have big group numbers and the skaters need to quickly learn to have the ability to skate together and cohesively as one unit.” Following two-to-three weeks in pre-production with hand-picked skaters and choreographers, a skeleton team starts learning the routines so Stuart can see the choreography before all of the skaters come in. Once the whole cast is present, then the chess game begins in earnest.

PS MAGAZINE

“The cast has six weeks to learn the show and digest all of the choreography, which is not a lot of time” Stuart said. “I have such awesome assistants who can be doing choreography with some skaters while I am working with a principal character; it’s a very eﬃcient process. I had a lot of experience as an assistant before I started choreographing so I understood the mapping out process so I can see the progression of the shapes. In the large arenas from elevated seating, the audience sees shapes first, and then they see movement. Strangely, the last thing they see are the feet. Plus, it all looks different from the three different sides. It has to be appealing from all angles.” During the course of her career, while collaborating with Olympic gold medalist Robin Cousins on various choreographic efforts, Stuart first came to see choreography as a possibility for her future. Since then, she has choreographed five productions of the Emmy-Award winning Stars on Ice starring Sasha Cohen and she now has a dozen Disney On Ice choreography credits to her name. “It’s really important to me to keep the quality of skating elevated—and the kids know that and they work to keep their skating sharp,” Stuart said. “Just because you’re not being judged, you don’t just turn out on a landing. Landings are important and there should be a nice glide out. I’m a stickler about the quality of skating.” Whether choreographing for an ice show or for a competitive program, Stuart strives to strike that balance between the two sides of the sport that defines figure skating. “I create movement to interpret or tell a story through music and the body, all while weaving the athleticism in so that it all compliments each other,”

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

Stuart said. “Skating is a language all its own and the challenge is to blend both the athleticism and the movement. The music sets skating apart, even from gymnastics. Gymnastics has some music playing while the gymnast is performing, but skaters skate to and with the music. Our job is to be musical and let the music flow through us. Cindy during the White I always say, ‘the music Model Meeting at Feld tells me what to do.’” Entertainment Studios. Stuart’s career as a choreographer outside of ice shows include creating routines for Gracie Gold, Adam Rippon, Chris Knierim and Alexa Scimeca, Katarina Witt, Joannie Rochette, Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao, and Jamie Sale and David Pelletier. “My most important job is to create a piece that works for the skater that camouflages their weaknesses and showcases their strengths,” Stuart said. “It’s so important that I know all of those in both categories so the program can become a part of them—and that’s true with show or competition programs. It’s so important they relate to the music. While I’m editing the music, I’m creating the layout of the program based on that particular skater, which is gleaned from working with them and their coach. Getting that layout right from the start is the most important thing—where the jumps and spins and footwork are placed. In the end, if they can’t do what you plan or where you put it, nothing else matters. I’m not there to put my mark on it; I’m there to help them make it their own.” But what’s a choreographer to do when she’s got one skate in the live entertainment world and the other in the world of levels and GOEs? “I don’t mix the two,” Stuart said. “It’s almost a completely different job and I have to really differentiate between them. When I am working on a show, I wear my show hat and I do that exclusively. Then I go back to the competitive world and do that. It’s an entirely different head space, especially with IJS. Having said that, there’s a different language in the sport now with IJS and we do try and apply that in the shows.” Stuart is a two-time Sonja Henie award nominee, recognizing a female professional skater or coach who has brought attention to figure skating in a positive

Cindy accepts her Edi for the Paul McGrath Choreographer of the Year Award in Las Vegas this past May.

way, and is a fourtime nominee of the Paul McGrath Choreographer of the Year Award…an award she won this year. “I so value all of the people I have had the privilege to work with, as well as those I haven’t but have had such an influence on the sport,” Stuart said. “When I think of the list of my fellow nominees and predecessors and all the work they’ve done to continue to grow figure skating—it’s all just very humbling. I have so much gratitude.” Stuart gets noticeably excited when she talks about the skaters she works with and their maturation as individuals, as well as athletes. “One of my favorite things is to get a skater at the juvenile or intermediate level and watch them get to the senior level—I love being a part of that process,” Stuart said. “I’m thinking of Tyler Pierce (bronze medalist at

the 2015 Ice Challenge and the 2015 Tallinn Trophy, as well as the 2014 U.S. junior national silver medalist). To see her develop from a spunky kid to a young woman— it’s such an honor to be a part of that journey.” Deep in show rehearsals for Disney On Ice presents “Follow Your Heart,” Stuart has the show hat firmly on her head and is clearly enjoying choreographing in that universe as well. “In the show world, there is a brilliant job done of casting of all different types of personalities that will soon become a family as they tour,” she said. “They don’t always come in with the skills they will one day leave with—and that process is amazing. They come in as a singles skater and they do class every day and they start to learn to move as an ensemble. They have extensive training for each role and two or three years later they are performing as a principal character. The potential for growth is beyond what you can imagine. “In the eligible world and in the professional world,” she said. “I love, love, love being a part of the development of the skaters.”

SEE THE WORLD and BE ON THE CUTTING EDGE of the skating world Team up with world-class skaters in a show that warms hearts around the world!

Feld Entertainment ® is seeking male and female skaters for U.S. and International tours of Disney On Ice. It is your opportunity to truly shine. Please send a skating resume, photos, a current video (3 – 6 min.) and all contact info to: Judy Thomas, Talent Director and Production Coordinator, Feld Entertainment 2001 U.S. Highway 301. Palmetto, FL 34221 USA

©Disney

Phone: (941) 721-1234 Email: jthomas@feldinc.com

PS MAGAZINE

May 24-27

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Awards Dinner Denim and Diamonds Friday, May 26, at 6:30pm Tickets $80 *We always sell out, so be sure to add your ticket to the cart when registering

*Included in conference fee

President’s Reception Wednesday, May 24, at 6:30pm

Find your coaching rhythm

in music city

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

OBITUARY Ellen Burka

August 11, 1921 – September 12, 2016

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Ford Center 5264 Hickory Hollow Pl Antioch, TN 37013

Canadian Hall of Fame figure skating coach Ellen Burka has died at the age of 95. Burka, one of the world's most respected coaches and choreographers from Toronto, Canada, passed away on September 12th. Burka was a Dutch national skating champion in the Netherlands 1946 and 1947. She learned German and English at home and in school she learned Dutch and French. Ellen met a Czech-born artist, Jan Burka, and married him after the war. They immigrated to Canada in 1950 after surviving the Holocaust. They were divorced in the mid-1950s and Ellen raised her two daughters, Petra and Astra, on her own. Burka went on to join the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club and began her successful coaching career. Mrs. Burka, an Olympic and world coach, taught many accomplished skaters. Her students include her daughter Petra Burka, the 1964 Olympic bronze medalist and 1965 world champion, as well as Toller Cranston, six-time Canadian champion and 1976 Olympic bronze medalist. She also coached Dorothy Hamill, Elvis Stojko, Sandra and Val Bezic, Patrick Chan, Tracey Wainman, Christopher Bowman, and many other world and Olympic competitors. Burka had been trained in ballet and modern dance in Holland. Canadian figure skating was rigid at the time, and she wanted to blend it with her training. She encouraged her skaters to be more expressive, to show emotion—and, for Cranston, that meant moving his arms above his head, which was not something the men were doing at the time. Her innovative coaching techniques and dedication earned her the Order of Canada, membership in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, and induction into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Martha E. Muth – September 29, 1964 – July 28, 2016 PSA member and colleague from Columbia, MD. Martha—beloved daughter of Patricia Muth—passed away after her battle with cancer. A memorial service was held October 10th in Ellicott City, MD. Frances Helen Dafoe

December 17, 1929 – September 23, 2016

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Conference & Trade Show in Nashville, TN. The ﬁrst question will hit your inbox in the November Community Update.

Frances Dafoe passed away at her home in Toronto at the age of 86 from cancer. Frances was a pioneer in pair skating with her partner, Norris Bowden. They won four Canadian titles, two World titles, and an Olympic silver medal (1956). She was a World and Olympic judge and became a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, received the Order of Canada, and was inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame. Frances was also an award-winning costume designer in television, theatre, figure skating, film, and ballet. She designed the costumes for the closing ceremonies at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. Over the years she designed skating costumes for over two dozen World and Olympic medalists representing four different countries. In recognition of her contributions to both figure skating and her work as a costume designer, Frances was awarded the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and both the Confederation Medal and the Golden Jubilee Medal. *Photo from www.morleybedford.ca PS MAGAZINE

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What Do Maia and Alex Shibutani Say? There came a point in Maia and Alex Shibutani’s free dance at the World Figure Skating Championships when it was hard to tell whether the increasing tempo of the song was influencing the speed of their twizzles or whether the team’s twizzles themselves—so close and fast and perfectly synched—were actually controlling the music. In a calm yet captivating program to Coldplay, which has earned them standing ovations this season, the Shibutanis skated their way back to the podium after a five-year hiatus from a World Championship medal. Starting the season out strong, they caught fire and only got better: silver at Skate Canada International; gold at the NHK Trophy, earning them their second career Grand Prix title and the highest combined scores for any of the dance teams during the Grand Prix season; gold at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships; gold at the Four Continents Championships, setting personal bests and then breaking those records with an even higher personal best to win silver at the World Figure Skating Championships. Having just finished their sixth season as senior competitors, the Shibutanis are right on track for their goals and, hopefully, a second Winter Olympics in 2018.

What drew you both to skating originally? Maia: We grew up in Connecticut where figure skating birthday parties were very popular. I started in basic skills when I was four years old and fell in love with skating right away. Alex: Part of it for me was about social events. It also made sense to learn to skate because I was at the rink waiting for Maia, and I had nothing else to do. Maia had a natural ability, but I loved just motoring around the ice. It’s amazing to think about where it has taken us.

How did you ultimately decide to focus on ice dance? Alex: Our parents had tickets to the ice dance events at the 2003 World Championships. Maia and I had already spent five years as singles skaters and that’s what we watched on TV. In Washington D.C., we were close to the ice and we ended up being very surprised by the speed and athleticism of the ice dancers. We were cheering for Tanith and Ben. It really left an impression on us. Maia: Seeing it live was a real eyeopener. From there, it was natural for us to start skating together since we were

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

always on the ice at the same time.

You had a quick start once you did start dancing. Did that ignite your desire to continue with ice dance? Alex: We started dancing together in May 2004, did a few summer competitions, and then were second at Junior Nationals in 2005. For us, it was a unique achievement that we hadn’t accomplished in singles. Considering we only had six months of dancing under our belts, it certainly made us think there might be an opportunity to continue improving. It was such an accelerated time table. Especially considering when we started, it was just, ‘Let’s try this for a year.’

As brother and sister, what works for you to foster a successful professional relationship and a successful sibling relationship? Alex: It’s very personal and it takes a lot of work. There are not three quick and easy steps to getting along with your partner, whether they are your sibling or not. Skating together creates a very close bond, and being from the same family has helped with communication. We also benefit from having great parents. As with any working relationship, com-

By Terri Milner Tarquini

munication is critical. Maia and I have the same goals, and we are reaching for the same heights. While we have very different personalities, we bring different things to the table. Maia and I have learned to use those differences to our advantage. Maia: We are not the same person, but at the end of the day, we are on the same path and it’s special to be sharing that experience.

Day in, day out—what keeps you motivated? Maia: At our first Olympics, we learned so much about ourselves - it clarified things for us. Sochi was such an enormous event, but we took all of our experiences and really made plans for the next four years. This is the path we are moving along now. Alex: This was our sixth season as Seniors. It seems like a long time considering that we popped through Juvenile, Intermediate and Novice with one year each. Yet we still feel fresh and new. We’ve had so much growth each year, and our bodies and minds are better and stronger. We are so much more a part of the creative process. While we’ve reached new heights, we have not reached our full potential yet, and we’re very motivated to do that.

In a post-figures era, it is often said that it can be difficult to teach skaters things like generation of power, knee bend, body lilt, and control—all key elements in ice dance. How do you view the role of ice dance in skating and could it play a bigger role? Alex: We are fortunate that we received great instruction from a very young age. The elements that make ice dance what it is can be seen in so many aspects of figure skating. Everyone can benefit from working with coaches who understand the importance of skating basics. Great skating is great skating and the basics are what drive everything. Even as the technical level increases with more quads and more difficult lifts, skating quality continues to shine through and is still respected.

THEN & NOW LEFT: The young Shibutanis take the ice during their first year of skating together. RIGHT: 2016 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

In 2011, you earned a bronze medal at the World Championships and, at 16 and 20 years old, you were the youngest to medal in ice dance in over 50 years. What did it take and what has been instrumental in your journey back to the World podium? Alex: Dealing with adversity was critical to our growth. It was almost like we were on a treadmill that was set just a bit too fast. (In six years, the Shibutanis earned six national medals—three golds, two silvers and one pewter—the first four medals coming at four diﬀerent levels, as well as multiple international medals and a silver medal at the World Junior Championships.) For a long time we had been working to keep up, but getting a medal at our first Worlds put more pressure on us. For the first time, there was no level to move up to. We were staying at the senior level and the expectations were high and possibly a bit unrealistic. During these years between World medals, we’ve learned to really train well. Maia: It all depends on what you consider success. We had a lot of skating success. More importantly, we matured as people and gained a real sense of who we are as a team. We never lost sight of where we wanted to go and we never lost confidence in ourselves. Alex: We always had faith in our ability to continue improving. We took the time to develop and we have improved every single season. That’s how we got back.

You have been with Marina Zoueva since 2007. What does she bring to the table as a coach that you think works for you as skaters and as a team? Alex: On paper, she’s had an amazing career. She’s worked with multiple Olympic champion teams—Ekaterina and Sergei, Tessa and Scott, Meryl and Charlie—not to mention all of the elite singles skaters she has done choreography for. She is known within the sport for having a great eye. On a personal level, it’s the intangibles. She cares so deeply for every skater she works with. Marina recognizes that each team is diﬀerent and she works with them in diﬀerent ways. The relationship between coach and skater is so important, and we’re very happy we’ve been on this journey with her. Sometimes along the way, there will be those people who have doubts about you and the direction you’re going in the sport. Marina has always been in our corner believing in us. She’s allowed us to grow and supported us through all of the improvements we’ve made, especially within the last four years. Maia: Marina is a visionary and is extraordinarily caring. With her guidance, we have grown incredibly as a team.

The announcers at Worlds commented that you are always so calm and collected. Are you really? Or how do you project that? Maia: While it helps that we have a lot of experience, experience alone does not make you more calm, collected, or

confident. We have taken each experience in stride and that has helped us handle our nerves. When it’s time to compete, we know it’s such a privilege to show what we’ve been working on. Performing to us is exciting. Alex: There’s no oﬀ-season in skating— we’re always skating and always preparing for something, and we don’t get a ton of opportunities to show what we’ve worked so hard on. In professional basketball, there are 82 games per season. We get six to eight competitions a year—and that’s including international competitions. We’re on the ice each time for a combined seven minutes, so when we get those chances, we love competing and we love performing. We value these opportunities.

After the season you have had, have you given thought to how you’re going to sustain that momentum to the 2018 Winter Olympics? Alex: It’s all cumulative. We have a plan in place to make sure that we’re at our best come February 2018. It really is right around the corner. This season, we showed a new level of ability in our skating. That didn’t just suddenly happen —we have been working on getting there for the last two years. While we are looking ahead as much as possible, we are in the present, and doing our best in each moment. Maia: We are proud and happy with the momentum we’ve built. We couldn’t ask continued on page 31 PS MAGAZINE

REAL LIFE COACHING Bob Mock, MDFD, SG

The FTC Ruling: Facing the Facts H

ere we are in the 21st Century, facing an incredible barrage of changes that have truly shaken the foundation of the sport of figure skating and the profession of coaching. One of those changes affects every skating coach, regardless of their level. Almost two years ago, the Federal Trade Commission decided that the Professional Skaters Association's Code of Ethics was restricting trade and found that the areas of student soliciting needed to be re-written. By now, I am sure you have heard through the various skating publications that new rules have been adopted. Your coaching is directly affected by this ruling. As a coach, you will need to arm yourself with correct information in order to compete in the marketplace. At first, there was a certain "In a nutshell, test amount of disbelief and even panic sessions, exhibitions, that the restrictions on "soliciting" students had been lifted. How and competitions would we ever survive in an already are off limits to highly competitive profession? The fact is there are still ethic approaching skaters. rules and they must be followed! Making false statements The FTC ruling was based on the belief that lifting the soliciting and undelivered rules would give skating families promises can get the a wider choice in the marketplace of selecting coaches. And that it coach in a boat load of would make the market more trouble. " competitive, thereby lowering the cost to skating customers. Generally, we know that under the FTC ruling coaches are now free to promote their services to parents and athletes in a way that is much more overt than in the past. Limitations are much less restrictive. However, there are rule limitations that every coach should know: 1. Approaching a skater in a lesson is not permitted 2. Approaching a skater during a test session is not permitted 3. Approaching a skater at a competition or a practice session at a competition is not permitted 4. Approaching a skater at an exhibition is not permitted 5. Making false statements to a parent or skater about a coachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability or credentials is prohibited

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

6. Making promises like "I can get you to nationals!" or a simple promise like "I can get you that double Axel!" and not delivering could result in legal action against the new coach 7. It is not required to call the former coach to inform them of the coaching change 8. Coaches are allowed to offer free or reduced cost of lessons to get new business and encourage a competitive business environment In a nutshell, test sessions, exhibitions, and competitions are off limits to approaching skaters. Making false statements and undelivered promises can get the coach in a boat load of trouble. The FTC ruling was based on giving parents and their athletes a market free of restrictions in selection of their coaches within the parameters of the above restrictions. Now that the dust is settling what does this all mean to the coaching profession? 1. The profession was always competitive...it just became more competitive 2. Coaches that do approach a skater/parent must follow the FTC rules and not make false statements or promises 3. Just like before, athletes are always free to move from coach to coach While the FTC ruling certainly will have far reaching effects, knowing and working within the ruling can be positive for coaches and their skaters.

WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK! There has been an overwhelming response to the Sept/Oct 2016 article, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 21st Century Skater/Parent Profile.â&#x20AC;? Watch for a follow up article regarding this subject in the near future.

continued from page 29

LEFT: Coach Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali with the Shibutanis at the 2016 U.S. Figure Skating Championships RIGHT: Alex and Maia celebrate their free dance to Coldplay's "Fix You."

for a better season, especially the second half. Everything is going as planned and it’s all very motivating and exciting.

How does it feel to be a part of an emergence of the U.S. as a force in ice dance? Alex: This emergence has come in stages. But yes, the past four to eight years certainly has seen another wave of U.S. ice dancers. We were on the podium with Meryl and Charlie at Worlds in 2011. We went to almost all of the Grand Prix they went to, and they have certainly fostered a lot of our growth. Maia: It’s exciting that ice dance is at the point it’s at now. We credit the hard work that the teams before us put in. Alex: It’s a deep field in U.S. ice dance right now. I’m biased, but I think ice dance was the most entertaining event to watch at Worlds. There were three American teams in the top six. That’s incredible for any country.

What is your favorite move to perform? Alex: Our favorite thing to do is just skate. It’s great to train a program and see the progression, but our favorite type of skating is free of rules and restrictions— just enjoying our edges and feeling the ice. As far as technical elements are concerned, I would say twizzles are our favorite element. A lot of teams dread twizzles because it’s easy to see errors. Maia: They have become a signature element for us. We try to make sure they are highlighted in the program because we are very confident in them.

If there was one thing you could change about the sport what would it be? Maia: Skating is all about balance— having both technical skills and

creativity. While rules can push you—it’s how you choose to interpret those rules and yet make the program your own. We have the same challenges everyone has, but we view the rules as an opportunity for us to expand our creativity. It’s our approach to our skating. How we see things and how we deal with things is what allows us to be special.

What are some things you’ve learned from skating? Alex: The value of hard work and not giving up. Making diﬃcult things look eﬀortless. It’s cliché, but when you fall, you get back up. Maia: You have to be completely invested and passionate about what you’re doing. Even though we love the process, there are still some early morning practices that are tough. You have to be able to push past the rough spots and keep sight of why you’re there. Perseverance is a big thing in this sport. You have to be all in.

Where do you see yourselves in 10 years? Alex: Coming off the 2026 World Championships! (Laughs) Just joking! We’ve had the opportunity to travel the world and develop different interests. I think it’s safe to say that we will be involved in the sport in some way, giving back. Even now, through social media and our YouTube channel, we are working hard to play a role in inspiring young skaters and open up skating to different demographics. It is important to us to promote the sport to a new generation. Maia: The interests we have outside of competing haven’t really been at the forefront for us, but they will be one day. That’s something else skating has taught us: Life is not a clear path. You have to

be open to diﬀerent paths and ready to pursue them.

How would you describe your journey in the skating world so far? Maia: It’s definitely been a journey. And it’s been a journey filled with a lot of passion and a lot of love. Alex and I are extremely grateful to have developed special relationships with so many people —coaches, fellow skaters, spectators, and others we’ve met through the sport. These relationships have been incredibly impactful and we are inspired to keep pushing ourselves to be our best. Alex: I don’t know when the end will be, but it’s amazing to think about where we are now. I vividly remember being in an elevator with Michelle Kwan in 2001, and I was thinking, “Oh my God. That is Michelle-freaking-Kwan!” But now, we’ve developed a relationship with her. She was at the same restaurant we were at after Nationals, and came over and hung out with us for half an hour. In Vancouver in 2001 at a practice session, I remember getting Tanith and Ben’s autograph. It wasn’t a part of their job description, but they took the time to be kind to two kids. Fast forward and we were at Tanith and Charlie’s wedding last year. These are examples of the journey. It’s important that the positivity these skaters instilled in us comes full circle. In 2013, Tomoki Hiwatashi asked to have his picture taken with us—and now he’s the current U.S. junior champion and the world junior bronze medalist. We are very conscious of the platform we have as U.S. Champions. It comes with a lot of responsibility, and it can be used for so much good. Our journey is not just about us; it’s about everyone who has been on it with us.

PS MAGAZINE

LEGAL EASE David Shulman, MFF, MP

Guest Coaching – What to Know I

was asked by several PSA members to discuss the topic of serving at a skating facility as a guest coach. What, if any, procedure is proper? What is recommended? Do you conduct yourself as you observe other coaches acting, or reacting, to activities both on and off the ice? The PSA members then tossed in this question…should staff coaches be given policies to follow which are the same as those imposed upon a guest coach? I feel that the interest expressed deserves exploring the answer(s) to the question. Of additional interest are the clauses and language used in the contract of employment being offered to coaches. I am noticing language used in the contracts seek to restrict, and in some cases, totally limit the coach in the number of facilities in which the coach can work. Some contracts offered to coaches seek to penalize, by termination of teaching privileges, any coach discovered teaching at another facility. I will be discussing these types of contracts, briefly in this article, and other articles to follow. The attempt to restrict or eliminate coaches moving from rink to rink is expanding. Knowing what to look for and to understand what can or cannot be done, legally, is very helpful at the time you are discussing you future employment. Some terms are in common use in facilities, but general terms applied to a visiting coach could be: 1. Coach not on staff 2. Coaches teaching less than…(plug in any number)... per week/month/year 3. Coach working while on probationary status The key is to understand if your status as a visitor limits what you are permitted to do when coaching. You will receive, when hired, a contract which among many things, may limit you in the order you play music. Prohibiting you from teaching from the boards, when you are no longer teaching in skates, is not good. When you sign that agreement to coach, be sure that list of rules you said you read, is really fully understood. If there is a special procedure you are to follow to collect for lessons, make sure you “get it” prior to teaching. Is a percentage charged? Are you permitted to enter into the coaches’ room? Placement of coats, skates, food….all will be written up in some rule. As a visitor, are you responsible for what mischief is done by your skaters? The fact that you are a guest coach may be the result

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

of you bringing "The key is to skaters with you. As a coach told me understand if your recently…“When status as a visitor limits I travel to another rink to skate, I what you are permitted treat my skaters like my silverware to do when coaching. at a dinner party You will receive, when where certain guests who attend hired, a contract which require us to among many things, may count the spoons limit you in the order you before the guest departs.” Be aware play music. " of what responsibilities you have as a guest coach. Things to have with you if you plan to teach at another facility as a guest: 1. Proof of citizenship 2. A résumé or list of accomplishments as a coach a. Ratings b. Ranking c. Insurance d. Membership with PSA, ISI, or U.S. Figure Skating 3. Paper proof of background check, memberships, insurance, and CER compliance A couple things need quick restatement: • ALWAYS obtain and READ the rules for resident and guest coaches to follow. You will likely be asked to sign some type of contract stating rules for pay, requirements such as filing accident reports, and a duty list you must follow. • Be certain to read carefully. If possible, obtain a copy before meeting with management and signing the papers. Doing so will give you time to prepare questions you need answered.

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Grassroots To Champions

“I have Champion Cords… they’re in my bag.” “My Coach – has Champion Cords – in her coat.” “I lost mine.” “I’ve never tried them. But, my coach has them.” “I see them in the magazine. I’ve never tired them.” Make changes in how you coach! Your dedication to consistent training tools/education is what makes your skaters succeed. Be creative and grow as a coach. First 10 emails – telling my why you haven’t tried them – GETS A FREE SET & DVD! Email: Sheila@Theleninc.com

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CALENDAR

EVENTS

O C TO B E R Date: Location: Event: Contact: Credits:

October 28-30, 2016 Area 11 Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport, O’Hare International Airport, Chicago IL 1-800-445-8667 Room rate $109 + tax (cut off PSA rate October 14th) Master Oral Rating Site [Fri 8am-8pm] PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com 1 PSA credit per oral exam taken

Deadline:

Oral Rating Exams August 28, 2016

NOVEMBER Date: Location: Event: Credits:

November 6, 2016 Kendall Ice Arena, Miami, FL Learn to Skate USA Instructor Workshop 1:30-6:00pm 5 Pre-approved credits

JANUARY '17 Date: Location: Event: Time: Contact: Credits:

January 17-18, 2017 TBD Area 11 Kansas City, MO Oral Rating Site at the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Times and days to be determined PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com Register online at www.skatepsa.com 1 PSA credit per oral exam taken

Deadline:

December 19, 2016

Date: Event: Location: Presenters: Credits:

January 7, 2017 Learn to Skate USA Instructor Workshop 1:30-6:00pm Dearborn Ice Skating Center, Dearborn, MI Kim Berry and Patrick O’Neil 5 Pre-approved credits

Date: Event: Location: Presenters: Credits:

January 8, 2017 Learn to Skate USA Instructor Workshop 1:30-6:00pm ICE Arena (Mt. Pleasant FSC), Mt. Pleasant, MI Kim Berry and Patrick O’Neil 5 Pre-approved credits

Date: Event: Location: Presenters: Credits:

January 15, 2017 Learn to Skate USA Instructor Workshop 9:30am-2:00pm Ford Ice Center, Antioch, TN Jason Dilworth and Lisa Musmanno Blue 5 Pre-approved credits

Please visit www.skatepsa.com for the complete Calendar of Events 36

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT & CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) Title of Publication Date of Filing Frequency of Issue Office of Publication and General business of the publisher Editor Owner

The Professional Skater - PS Magazine #574-770 October 2016 Bi-monthly, 6 issues annually, $19.95 annual subscription rate Elizabeth Thornton The Professional Skaters Association 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester, MN 55902

Extent and Nature of Circulation

A. B.

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