Skater Goes Extra Mile to Create Collegiate Program

by Loren McGean and J. Michael McGean

Ten years ago, Dartmouth College didn't have a skating program. Amy Stetson '00 decided she wouldn't let this stop her from continuing skating in college, so she started one.

The process of establishing a team on campus included recruiting several skaters, preparing a plan to become approved as a club sport, securing ice time and hiring a coach, J. Michael McGean '49.

With just a few members, the team qualified for the first U.S. Intercollegiate Team Skating Championships, hosted by Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 2000. To help offset travel expenses, team members pursued funding through Dartmouth President James Wright. Wright offered his support, the fundraising effort grew, and the team now receives donations from alumni and special supporters. The team has attended every U.S. Intercollegiate Championships since, and most recently won the event in 2006 in San Jose, Calif.

Over the years, the program has grown and provided athletes with many wonderful opportunities and honors. Since the program's inception, six athletes have been named Dartmouth's "Wearers of the Green," a distinction bestowed upon a select number of athletes at the school. In addition, several members of the team, after leaving Hanover, have gone on to graduate school and started collegiate programs in their new surroundings.

Starting a collegiate team on campus is easier than one would think. Interested students should go to U.S. Figure Skating Online ("Programs," then "Collegiate") and download the file called "Collegiate Team Handbook." This document will walk students through the initial stages and assist them in working with colleges. Remember, every team had to start somewhere, and nearly every team came from the vision of a few dedicated students whose legacy outlived their college years.