PHOTO COURTESY OF BELLA FACCIE SPORTS MEDIA, THOMAS DI NARDO © 2012


Jonathan Kuck


ever been involved in speed skating is extremely special. I would like to say a thank you to a few people that were in- strumental in career, Jerry Search, Pat Wentland, Paul Marchese, Pat Maxwell, Jack Mortell, Apolo Ohno and to Coach (Li Yan).” said Smith. Do you know someone who might be


Hall of Fame worthy for the next Induction Class of 2013? Now is the time to submit your nominations. Please visit here to download forms and information for the categories of: Contributor, Classical Era Athlete and Modern Era Athlete. Nomi- nations are due by June 30 for the next induction ceremony at US Speedskating’s annual meeting in the spring of 2013. Questions? Please contact Jenny Walter.


2012 Eric Heiden Skater of the Year Jonathan Kuck With Jonathan’s per- formance at the 2012 Single Distance World Championships---a Bronze Medal in the 5000m event, a Bronze Medal in the 10000m event and a Silver Medal in the Team Pursuit, we are honored to rec- ognize Jonathan Kuck with the 2012 Eric Heiden Skater of the Year Award. 2012 President’s Awards Dr. Eric Heiden Having reconnected


with our sport prior to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Dr. Heiden has been involved with the medical care of the skaters within our Short and Long Track programs and on our teams. Dr. Heiden has volunteered his time and traveled to the Olympics in 2002, 2006 and 2010 and several international competitions in between the Olympics, serving as Team Doctor. In addition, he has helped coor-


14 RACING BLADE Summer 2012 www.usspeedskating.org


Tom Frank & Jerry Search


dinate medical care by other physicians at other international events. He has also provided medical care for both disciplines of our sport, Short and Long Track, at the Utah Olympic Oval. Dr. Heiden currently serves as the Chairperson of the recently formed Medical Commission.


Jerry Search Jerry served 8 years on the U.S. Speed-


skating Board, from 2002 through 2010, and served as a Board Member for the Amateur Speedskating Union (ASU) for 13 years, from 1989 until the merger with US Speedskating in 2002. Jerry currently serves on the US Speedskating Competi- tion Committee, the Hall of Fame Commit- tee, the Coaching Committee and the Eth- ics Committee. He is also a member of the ASU Foundation Board. He was inducted into the Speedskating Hall of Fame in 2001 as a Contributor to the Sport. His interest primarily being Short Track, Jerry has at- tended all Age Group Nationals for the past 29 years; since 1987 most US Short Track Championships and since1993, the Junior Short Track Championships. He has also attended several International Short Track events as well. And what has Jerry done at all those skating events? Yes, he coached at some, but mostly he took pictures, lots and lots of pictures. Jerry has allowed so many of us to use his pictures for various reasons from improving our technique to promoting and growing our sport. “I had absolutely NO idea that I was


even being considered for the. Presi- dent’s Award,” said Search. “I wasn’t even thinking about it when the presentation started. When Tom began reading the


Hence Bollinger & Jae Su Chun


details of the person to receive his Presi- dent’s Award, I was listening, and when he said that this person had served on the Board of Directors for 8 years, from 2002 to 2010, I began to think that “may- be he might be talking about me.” When he said that this person had been to the past 29 Age Group Nationals in a row, I remembered talking to him about that at the Nationals last month. And I was say- ing out loud but in a low voice (mostly to Jean Uyehara, who was sitting next to me): “No Way!! I think he is talking about me”. Then I began to realize that he really was talking about me! And since I had seen numerous people win the Presi- dent’s Award over the years, I realized that I was being awarded a great honor by the president of US Speedskating!”


2011 Coaches of the Year US Speedskating is pleased to an-


nounce the following individuals who have been selected and recognized as honorees for the 2011 USOC Coach of the Year awards. US Speedskating members were in-


vited to submit nominations of coaches to the US Speedskating Coaching Com- mittee based on results for the 2011 cal- endar year. The US Speedskating Coach- ing Committee reviewed applications and selected the honorees for the Develop- mental and Volunteer Coach of The Year. US Speedskating’s High Performance staff reviewed criteria and selected the Doc Counsilman Science Award and Na- tional Coach of The Year honorees. “The US Speedskating Coaching Com- mittee was honored to be a part of the


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