‘WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER’ Delegates, staff unite to take on Olympic season
BY MIMI MCKINNIS A spirit of unity echoed around the
DoubleTree hotel as approximately 350 delegates came together for the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Governing Council May 3–7 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “We are so appreciative of the members,
delegates, board members, committee chairs, athletes and observers who attend this event,” U.S. Figure Skating President Sam Auxier said. “Teir opinions, contributions and ded- ication are the backbone of this organization, and we’re thrilled to be hosting them in the city of our headquarters.” Attendees descended on the Centen-
nial State Wednesday, taking in seminars on topics such as club education and local organizing committee opportunities, as well as participating in a critical issues Q&A be- fore caucusing with their sections and casting their votes at the full Governing Council on Saturday, May 6. After Auxier called the council to order
Saturday, delegates were treated to a video message from two-time Olympian Jeremy Abbott. He set the tone by reflecting on his punishing fall during his 2014 Olympic short program. Abbott stressed the signifi- cance of togetherness and perseverance in his
own career, recalling the powerful part the audience played in his ability to continue that performance. With that, U.S. Figure Skating Chief Marketing Officer Ramsey Baker echoed Abbott’s sentiments in an update on Get Up, detailing the impact of the campaign’s first year and its importance heading toward the Olympic Games. “We Get Up,” Baker stressed. “We’re in
this together.”
As the day continued, sessions of debate and discussion were balanced with moments of comic relief brought about by the Adult Skating Committee’s Governing Council bingo card, littered with the trademark phrases and inevitable points of order that longtime delegates have come to expect. Most notably, in the efforts to maintain a lighthearted camaraderie during the afternoon sessions, Auxier proudly held up a small burro piñata he had won in a round of trivia the night before at the Athlete Advisory Committee’s (AAC) Cinco de Mayo-themed dinner. Te item, affectionately referred to as a term less PC than Sam’s donkey, was auctioned off in an impromptu bidding war to benefit the AAC. Te piñata was ultimate- ly won by Jassen Bowman, an individual member, for $600.
Members of the Athlete Advisory Committee, with U.S. Figure Skating President Samuel Auxier and Jas- sen Bowman, display a Cinco de Mayo piñata. Auxier auctioned the item, which was won by Bowman, to benefit the AAC.
“He’s worth every penny,” Auxier’s
wife Lynn laughed. “I’m just happy because we knew the money was going back to the athletes, which is great.” U.S. Figure Skating Giving Programs
Coordinator Brent Diederich announced plans for the organization’s Destination PyeongChang program, which follows pre- decessors Destination Vancouver (2010) and Destination Sochi (2014), in generating funds to assist the families of the 2018 Olympic Team with travel and lodging expenses. Troughout the day’s coffee breaks, Destina- tion PyeongChang T-shirt sales launched the program to the tune of around $13,000. Te council concluded around 4:30
p.m., leaving time for breaks and committee meetings before the President’s Reception, which officially closed this year’s event. Next year’s meeting, set for May 2–6, 2018, will be held in Orlando, Florida.
Accountant Michael Meyer (Wagon Wheel FSC) received a special honor from U.S. Figure Skating
President Sam Auxier at the President’s Reception. The plaque reads: “For your many years of merito- rious and dedicated service as a Board Member, Committee Member, National Accountant and Tech- nical Accountant, contributing to the development and growth of the sport in the United States.” Meyer lives in Denham Springs, Louisiana.
16 JUNE/JULY 2017
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