2013 GOVERNING COUNCIL
(Left) Olympic champion Scott Hamilton fl ew in to emcee the AAC’s dinner and ice show gala. Hamilton’s charm and wit helped make the evening one to remember. (Right) U.S. champion Max Aaron hams it up at the table of Denver-area skater Morgan Bell and her family.
MORE THAN MEETINGS A packed ballroom at the DoubleTree by
Hilton Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo., stood and waved American fl ags and cheered as past and current members of Team USA paraded around the room to open the 2013 Governing Council on May 4. Led by 2002 Olympic champion Sarah
Hughes, Tea m USA proudly walked through the aisles, with the inspiring Olympic theme music playing over the speakers. T is sea of red, white and blue set a patriotic
tone for the rest of the meeting that was branded Destination Sochi, a program to support Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in So- chi, Russia, as well as skaters of all levels across the country. One of the event’s highlights took place
at the nearby Colorado Springs World Arena, where the Athletes Advisory Committee (AAC) presented a benefi t dinner and ice show. Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic champion, laced up his skates and served as the emcee of the inti- mate evening.
TEAM USA INTRO, DINNER SHOW HIGHLIGHT GOVERNING COUNCIL
Directed by 2010 Olympian Mark Lad-
wig, the show featured an array of entertain- ing exhibition programs presented by mem- bers of Team USA past and present. More than 300 people attended, with proceeds going to help fi nance the AAC’s scholarship fund and cultivate is athlete alumni program. “T is is such a great idea,” Hamilton told the
crowd from center ice. “You have tables around the ice and the perfect view to watch the best and brightest of what U.S. Figure Skating has to of- fer.”
Earlier in the day, Lainie DeMore, mem-
bership development group coordinator; Terri Levine, the strategic planning committee chair; and Kathy Slack, Midwestern vice president, gave a presentation on Destination Sochi. T eir presentation focused on how U.S. Figure Skat- ing’s clubs can easily become involved in this dy- namic program and where to go online to get all the information. “T e Destination Sochi membership re- cruitment and club programs campaign is a
great way for clubs to involve their members in fun events and activities leading up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games,” DeMore said. “Pick one program to initiate, or pick them all. Be creative, engage members of all ages and abilities and have fun!” U.S. Figure Skating Executive Director
David Raith delivered the latest news regarding the organization’s future on television. A four- year extension of U.S. Figure Skating’s broadcast rights agreement with NBC has been fi nalized, and
icenetwork.com has acquired all the U.S. media rights for International Skating Union events through the 2017‒18 season. Lastly, U.S. Figure Skating announced the
launch of its SafeSport Program. T e program, created by the U.S. Olympic Committee and adapted by U.S. Figure Skating, addresses the diff erent types of abuse and off ers resources for clubs and rinks to manage these diffi cult issues. T e primary resource available is the U.S. Figure Skating SafeSport Handbook, which includes all its policies and guidelines in dealing with abuse.
The gala cast featured many of the sport’s top skaters, including several Olympians and U.S. champions. (Right) Former Team USA members Lorrie Parker and Doug Williams turn back the clock and perform a combination camel spin to the delight of the rinkside audience.
10 JUNE/JULY 2013
PHOTOS BY CHUCK BIGGER
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