Iowa Figure Skating Coach Wins "Caring Coach" Award

Iowa figure skating coach Burton Powley believes the greatest gift he can pass on to his students is this message.

"To believe in themselves and remember that skating is supposed to be fun," Powley said. "Even if the results in a competition are disappointing, I always try and find something to compliment them on, and make a positive experience out of the event."

It's this special advice, and a caring coaching style that earned Powley the Caring Coach Award given annually by the Iowa Sports Foundation.

"The Caring Coach Award is nominated by athletes and parents," Tyler Kubik of the Iowa Sports Foundation said. "Caring Coaches have made a significant and positive influence over the actions and development of their players. We feel having a caring coach gives your team the edge in the game of life, not just the field of play."

For Powley, who coaches at the Coral Ridge Ice Arena in Coralville and the Metro Ice Sports Facility in Urbandale, hearing he won the award was a true surprise, and honor.

"I was honored to be selected above all other sports coaches in the State of Iowa," Powley said. "Being nominated by my students was the best part."

Powley received his award at the Iowa Summer Games Opening Ceremonies on July 13.

"It was held at the Jack Trice ISU Stadium in Ames in front of a crowd of 10,000 people. I was announced and went on stage and saw myself on the Jumbotron," Powley said. He was also interviewed on WHO radio in Des Moines for promoting a healthy lifestyle and participating in sports as an adult skater and coach.

Powley has been competing in adult skating since 1999. He won men's gold at the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships, championship master men's bronze at the 2006 event and championship masters intermediate/novice gold in 2010, bronze in 2011 and silver in 2012.

"I still compete and try to instill a good work ethic in my students that will carry them through many other areas of their lives and to show them that you can be healthy and active at a sport you love, even as an adult skater," Powley said. "I try to be a good role model in my caring coach style and try to present a healthy lifestyle."

Powley's other passion is art. Throughout his life he has devoted himself to painting and artistic endeavors. His artwork shows the same imagination, exuberance and flair as his skating. He studied under James Engler and Dennis Kaven at Grand View University from 1975-78 and 1991-1993. He also lived, skated and studied art in Australia from 1983-1991.

Powley is proud to be highly respected by his peers and has skated in many prestigious venues around the world. He sees "the rink as a giant canvas, the music is the color and the skater is the brush." He is an artist on and off the ice.

He is also proud of his many students.

"They are just like me. They are always helping one another and the older skaters often take the younger ones under their wing," Powley said.

If he could pass on just one piece of advice he would like his students to take with them?

"I tell them keep trying. Never give up. When things get tough remember that it is all your previous hard work that got you to the point you are now," Powley said. "So, this is no time to let up."