About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

February 2004

Chuck Foster, the president of U.S. Figure Skating, took some time from his busy schedule to answer questions from many kids, and here are his answers!

Chuck Foster

Q: How did you become president of U.S. Figure Skating? Do you like the job? Dlyssa Aanesh, 11, Wailand

A: I was elected president by the Governing Council at the annual meeting of U.S. Figure Skating in May 2003. Being president is a real challenge, but I enjoy it very much.

Q: What caused you to run for president of U.S. Figure Skating? What have you done in the past with U.S. Figure Skating? Caitlin Grothaus, 15, Cold Spring; Jennifer, 14, Summerville

A: I ran for president because I felt that I had the best qualifications for the job that needed to be done at this time. I have done almost everything in skating from being a competitor to judging to being a member of the Board of Directors.

Q: I know it's a big responsibility and honor to be president of U.S. Figure Skating. How does it feel to be president? Chiaki Oda, 15, Old Greenwich, Conn.; Aimee Bolton, 12, Tigard, Ore.; Chloe, 9, Brentwood, Tenn.

A: It is, indeed, a great honor to be the president of this organization. It feels great to be able to contribute to the organization as president.

Chuck Foster and Maribel Y. Owen after winning the U.S. junior pairs title in 1955.

Q: You skated competitively. How did you first become involved in the sport of figure skating? What rink did you skate at? Elizabeth, 10, Charleston; Melissa, 15, Sugar Land, Texas; Phoneika, 13, Topeka, Kan.

A: I first became involved in the sport when I was 4 years old with my entire family. Skating became our family hobby and passion.

Q: What is your main objective as president? Victoria, 11, Monroe

A: My main objective is to help guide a financially responsible organization that has the best interests of all of our skaters in mind at all times.

Q: What advice would you give to a beginning skater like me? Kristin Patton, 11, Rock Hill, S.C.

A: My advice would be to skate for yourself and for the love of the sport.

Q: Do you think figure skating always has to be fun? Lauren, 12, Harwich

A: No, it is not easy to become a good skater. Our sport, which combines artistry and athleticism, is very hard to master. Some training days of hard work won't appear to be fun. But the result is exciting, and the discipline you learn will stay with you forever.

Q: Compare competing as a skater to judging the sport. What are the pros and cons of being a judge? Kelly, 13, Arvada, Colo.

A: As a skater you try to do your best when you are competing. Everything depends upon you or you and your partner. As a judge you are also trying to do your very best, but you are part of a panel of judges who are trying to determine the correctness and the quality of your skating in relation to the other competitors. I enjoyed competing and I have enjoyed judging very much. It is a real challenge to correctly evaluate the skaters.

Q: How does U.S. Figure Skating select and hire judges? How do I become a judge? Rachael Anderson, 15, Spokane

A: Judges are not hired, they are volunteers who give freely of their time to the sport. Judges come from many different areas: skaters, parents and interested people who have made a study of the sport. Like a good skater, it takes years of practice and training to become a judge.

Q: It seems like skaters like the new judging system. How do you feel about the system? Kym Fischbach, 16, Bushkill, Pa.; Grace You, 12, San Jose, Calif.

A: From the response that we have gotten from skaters who performed under the new judging system, it seems that most of them like the system, because they feel it is more fair. I like it also as it gives credit to all facets of the sport. The skaters get a more complete evaluation of their performance, and the coaches get the necessary information to assist the skater in progressing forward.

Q: What all did you accomplish while you were skating? What was the highlight of your skating career? Muffin, 11, Sugar Land, Texas

A: I passed my seventh figure and silver dance tests. The highlight of my competitive career was winning the U.S. junior pairs title with Maribel Y. Owen.

Q: Do you work for U.S. Figure Skating daily? What kinds of things do you do as U.S. Figure Skating president? Is it hard to keep up with everything? Ashley Stipek, 12, Marborough; Dice Murakami, 12, Corona, Calif.

A: I do work daily for U.S. Figure Skating even though I am a volunteer. Most of what I do concerns the overall guidance of the organization. It is very difficult to keep up with everything, but I try hard to be on top of all of the issues.

Q: How old were you when you started judging? Caitlin Decker, 11, Mankato

A: I was 18 years old when I started to judge.

Q: What club did you represent as a skater? Shannyne Conealy, 12, Needham

A: At first I represented the Fargo-Moorhead Winter Club and later the Skating Club of Boston.

Q: Do you have favorites out of the current skaters? What do you like about each skater? Amanda Snell, 14, Addison, Ill.

A: I have had many favorite skaters throughout the years, and that list continues to grow each year. As president it wouldn't be fair to mention favorites from our current group of competitors. From the early skaters of Maribel Vincent Owen to our current team, I feel honored to be from a country historically rich with magnificent skaters.