About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

October 2004

The U.S. Figure Skating Headquarters staff members wanted to answer questions, whether it be about athletes, membership or events, for this special edition of Kids' Questions. If you would like to contact a Headquarters staff member, their e-mail address is their first initial and last name @usfigureskating.org. For instance, SKATING magazine editor Amy Partain's e-mail address is apartain@usfigureskating.org. Contact Headquarters if you would like more information on anything or have any questions!

The first five questions are exclusive to U.S. Figure Skating Online.

Q: How long does it take to make decisions like switching the regions around? Chloe Giffin, 10, Brentwood, Tenn.

A: During the past 40 years, there have only been a few changes to the regions as we now know them, allowing for pockets to join with other states in closer proximity than across their own state. Making a complete change to the regional structure would typically take about four or five years, but to change pockets from one region to another may take only about one year.

The recent push to change the overall regional structure did not pass at the recent Governing Council. Perhaps we will revisit the regional structure again.
— Bob Crowley, Associate Executive Director

The U.S. Figure Skating Athlete Programs Department is (L-R): Nicole Stocker, Kelly Hodge and Juliet Newcomer

Q: I would love to work at U.S. Figure Skating Headquarters when I'm older. What kind of jobs do you offer? Breanna Melville, 15, Ankeny, Iowa

A: U.S. Figure Skating offers a wide variety of job opportunities for people who are interested in working for the sport. As the national governing body for figure skating, we are involved in nearly every aspect of the sport's operation including membership, Basic Skills, athlete programs, sponsorship, communications, television and events. Visit the Leadership/Staff page for more information on current job openings as well as the types of jobs available at U.S. Figure Skating.
— Kristin Matta, Senior Director of Sponsorship and Communications

Q: Do you hire employees who are bilingual since you deal with people from all over the world who may not speak English? Georgina Oliveira, 12, Ludlow, Mass.

A: We aren't required to hire people who speak other languages. English is the official language of our parent organization, the ISU, and all officials (judges, referees, etc.) are required to demonstrate fluency in English. Regardless of what country an event is held in, everything is conducted in English.
— Valerie Powell, Director of International Affairs and Special Projects

Q: Would you consider publishing a special issue of SKATING magazine with competition results and photos, rather than publishing them over many months? Paige-Noel Piasecki, 13, Amherst, N.Y.

A: Paige, this is an option that was considered by the Executive Committee. However, right now this type of project would cost too much to produce. But it is an option we will continue to look at as a possibility for the future.
— Amy Partain, SKATING magazine editor

The U.S. Figure Skating Sport Resources Department is (L-R): Denise Thomas, Greg Johnston, Sharon Morgan and Bob Dunlop.

Q: Are there internships at U.S. Figure Skating? Jamie Blanchard, 18, Tucson, Ariz.

A: U.S. Figure Skating hires one to two interns per year through the U.S. Olympic Internship Program. The U.S. Olympic Committee conducts this program for college students. Interns live at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, eat their meals at the athlete's dining hall and work at U.S. Figure Skating Headquarters (or other local national governing bodies).

At U.S. Figure Skating the intern works both in the media department — (writing press releases, athlete biographies, etc.) and in the sport resources department (preparing international teams for competitions and handling athlete requests).

To be eligible for the internship program, students must have completed at least two years of college and be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program. To inquire about an application, e-mail internprog@usoc.org.
— Lindsay DeWall, Director of Media Relations

From October 2004 SKATING magazine ...

Q: How do you become a coach for U.S. Figure Skating? Are there any tests you have to pass? Jennifer Bourlet, Tacoma, Wash.; Mavy Coyne, 12, Palos Verdes, Pa.

A: There is no one way to become a coach, and currently there are no requirements or tests that need to be passed. If you're interested in coaching, it's a good idea to get involved in an apprentice or training program. The Professional Skaters Association offers an apprentice program, and many clubs offer training programs starting coaches out as junior or assistant coaches.

If the clubs in your area don't offer any formal training, ask your coach if he or she would be willing to help you get started. More information on how to become a coach, visit the Coaches Info page.
— Juliet Newcomer, Coordinator of Coaching Programs

Q: How are the North American Challenge Skate (NACS) competitors selected? Tarin A., 16, Seattle

A: The criteria for skaters to compete in the August 2004 NACS was based on placement at the 2004 State Farm U.S. Championships and the 2004 U.S. Junior Championships. Selection criteria varies from year to year and is determined by the Athlete Development Committee.
— Nicole Stocker, Director of Athlete Programs

Q: I love to skate, so are there any jobs available that require you to skate while working at Headquarters, other than teaching skating? Ashley Assad, 10, Wilbraham, Mass.

A: No, none of the jobs require you to skate while working. But my past experience as a competitive skater (I did both singles and synchronized skating) is something that I draw upon almost every day. It helps me when I answer questions from parents and skaters, or when I plan seminars and workshops.

One of the best parts about working in the athlete programs department is attending several skating competitions each season. I also work on programs for coaches and skaters that are usually at ice rinks. So while I don't have to skate for my job, it's wonderful to work with skaters, coaches and officials all over the country — just a different way to stay involved with figure skating. (And there are four ice rinks in Colorado Springs, so I get to skate a couple times a week before work for fun!)
— Kelly Hodge, Director of Synchronized Skating and Collegiate Programs

Q: What is the best part about working at U.S. Figure Skating Headquarters? Bethany DeGraff, 16, Wilkesboro

A: The best part of my job is traveling to Smart Ones Skate America and the U.S. Championships where I get to help organize a reception for our “Friends of Figure Skating” fan members. The fans are able to get autographs and pictures with some of their favorite skaters. We have a great time!
— Susan Strauss, Member Services Coordinator

Q: What are some of the more challenging competitions to organize? Approximately how many hours do they require? Kelly Rogers, 14, Arvada, Colo.

A: Thanks for the question Kelly. Countless volunteers dedicate themselves to organizing all aspects of competitions, from the club level to the State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The competition that requires the most man-hours without a doubt is the annual U.S. Championships. This event attracts more than 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials for a total of eight days of competition.

The U.S. Championships are typically awarded to a host city four years in advance of the actual competition, but even before that, local organizing committees have already put in many hours researching and preparing a bid for the event.

After a city is awarded the event, the local organizing committee then works with U.S. Figure Skating to organize all aspects of the competition, including marketing, sponsorships, transportation and event operations. In addition to all the normal skating-related activities, the U.S. Championships are even more challenging because they are televised by ABC Sports. U.S. Figure Skating benefits a great deal due to our partnership with ABC Sports, and we work with them to showcase the sport to the public through the athletes and the competitions.
— Bob Dunlop, Senior Director of Sport Resources

Q: When you are at a competition, do you ever get excited to be talking to or even see the skaters? Do you ask for their autographs? Amanda Ceaser, 14, Bensenville, Ill.

A: Hi Amanda. All of the competitions are exciting. The skaters are great people, and although many fans enjoy taking their pictures and asking for autographs, my job, along with other staff members and volunteers, is to ensure that fans are able to do so. We want to make sure the athletes are able to skate to the best of their abilities while making it enjoyable for everyone at home and in the audience, so we don't ask for their autographs.
— Greg Johnston, Director of Events

Q: How does a skater get a sponsor? Are there any figure skating scholarships offered? Lauretta, Stony Brook, N.Y.

A: The best starting place to answer all of your skater sponsor-related questions is on the U.S. Figure Skating web site, in the Athlete Funding area. Within athlete funding, the Sponsorships section gives you an overview of sponsorship, and you can download the sponsorship package, which has valuable information about getting sponsors. The most important thing for skaters to understand about sponsorships is that they are agreements between the skater and the sponsor only. The only time U.S. Figure Skating gets involved is when the sponsor asks the athlete to be in an event that is not sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. If this happens the skater must apply for an Eligible Skater's Compensation Agreement in order to protect his/her eligibility.
— Sharon Morgan, Sport Resources Coordinator

Q: Is it up to Headquarters to decide which skaters are on the U.S. Team Envelopes? If so, what criteria do you have to pick the athletes? Garrett Kling, 14, Watertown, Minn.

A: U.S. Figure Skating‘s International Committee, which is a group of 35 volunteer members, determines the criteria each year for the U.S. Team Envelope athletes. Read the criteria.
— Denise Thomas, U.S. Team Director

Q: Are there any journalism jobs affiliated with U.S. Figure Skating? That's the career I'd like to pursue, and working around skating would be fun. Eric Pringle, 16, Coon Rapids, Minn.

A: Yes, there are a few jobs at Headquarters that are journalism-related. Reporting, writing and editing are key skills needed to run SKATING magazine and the U.S. Figure Skating web site. Also, the director of media relations position requires knowledge not only of writing but experience in dealing with the needs of journalists outside the organization who cover figure skating. Currently six people in U.S. Figure Skating's Sponsorship and Communications Department received their college degrees in journalism. If you're interested in one day working at Headquarters in a journalistic capacity, pursue as many opportunities as you can in the writing world, both inside and outside of skating.

SKATING and U.S. Figure Skating Online are always interested in working with new freelance writers, so if you have story ideas and writing samples, send them along. It's a head start to making your dreams come true!
— Laura Fawcett, Director of Online Services