Coach Frank Carroll and Evan Lysacek
his coaching career as well.” Lysacek, known for his eloquent speaking, made no apologies for exceeding the time limit allotted for acceptance speeches. Reading from pages of notes, the 31-year-old shared how train- ing under Carroll helped shape him as an athlete and as a man. “Frank always told me to honor those who
came before us,” Lysacek said with a sly smile. He was joined at the ceremonies by his parents, Tan- ya and Don Lysacek, sister Christina Metzger and brother-in-law Ryan Metzger.
Cohen, who was accompanied by fiancé
Tom May and mother Galina Cohen, also admit- ted to having a pinch-me moment. “I remember watching so many greats before
me — Scott Hamilton, Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi — and it was just a dream to reach that level, to compete in the Olympics,” she said. “Ten, to become one of those names that lives on, I couldn’t imagine that when I was starting off in the sport as a little girl.” Belbin White and Agosto, who trained as a team for 12 years in Michigan, not surprisingly
Ben Agosto, Tanith Belbin White and Charlie White
shared similar feelings as they reflected on their induction. When asked to select someone to pres- ent them into the Hall, they did not hesitate in choosing their former training mate, rival, friend and 2014 Olympic ice dance champion Charlie White, who also is Tanith’s husband. Like Cohen, Belbin White, 31, expressed being a bit starstruck as she looked out into the crowd filled with so many hall-of-famers she has admired since youth. Ten she paused and looked at her parents, Michelle and Charles Belbin, and shared a more personal reaction. “I’ve just been so fortunate that way in my
entire life and career — to stand on the Olym- pic podium with my best friend, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame by my husband, to have my costumes made by my mother,” she said. “Figure skating is intertwined into my life in such a loving and exquisite way. “Obviously there are times in a skater’s ca-
reer where you feel like that’s smothering, but as I’ve become older and more multifaceted myself, I’ve embraced the involvement of skating in every aspect of my life because it’s truly brought me the
most joyous moments I’ve ever experienced.” Agosto, 34, who was accompanied by his
longtime partner Merrie Schultz and parents Mir- iam and Angel Agosto, was simply thankful. “Te biggest thought I had last night was
just an overwhelming sense of gratitude, for being in the position that we are, for having the won- derful career we had and for the support of every- one who wanted us to be a part of this wonderful group,” Agosto said. “Standing at the podium and giving a speech last night, I looked out at the audience and there were all my heroes — Brian Boitano, Paul Wylie, Liz Punsalan and Jerod Swallow — all those people that really made an impact on my skating career as a young skater. All of a sudden, here they are and we’re inducted into the Hall of Fame with them. It’s extremely special and I’m extremely grateful for it.” Lussi, who was inducted posthumously,
was presented via video by his most famous pu- pil, Dick Button. Accepting the award on behalf of the Lussi family were granddaughter Cristina Lussi and close family friend and 1992 Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie.
Coach John Nicks and Sasha Cohen
Gustave Lussi’s granddaughter Cristina Lussi and skating great Paul Wylie SKATING 35
PHOTOS BY JAY ADEFF/U.S. FIGURE SKATING
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