OBITUARY U.S. Hall of Famer Ricky Harris Passes Away at 95 U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer Ricky Harris died June 21 at her home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She was 95. Often referred to as “the mother of choreography education in figure skating,” Harris revolutionized the sport in 1972 when she began integrating dance concepts into figure skating choreography. For more than 40 years, Harris choreographed for dozens of the world’s best skaters. Harris worked with Olympic champions Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, Evan Lysacek and World champions and medalists Michelle Kwan, Linda Fratianne, Christopher Bowman, Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner, among others. In Hamilton’s 1984 Olympic season, Harris began sitting with Hamilton and coach Don Laws in the kiss and cry, making her the first choreographer to do so. Today, choreographers routinely join athletes and coaches as they await the judges’ scores. Harris, who in 2013 received the Professional Skaters Association Lifetime Achievement Award, was instrumental in establishing the PSA rating in choreography and was one of the first choreographers to become a master-rated coach. A prolific writer, Harris earned a master’s degree in dance and a Ph.D. in choreography. She published three books and was a frequent contributor to SKATING magazine, where she wrote a popular column that shared her insight and answered readers’ questions in the 1980s and 1990s. Always ahead of her time, Harris produced the first figure skating instructional videos and created a series of choreography workshops that are still being conducted by American Ice Theatre, which awarded her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. Harris is survived by her husband Paul Piazzese, daughter Hillary and son John. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund. For those wishing to send letters of condolences, mail to: Paul Piazzese, PMB #313A, 220 N Zapapa Hwy #11, Laredo, TX 78043-4464 Reprinted with permission from U.S. Figure Skating | Photo courtesy of U.S. Figure Skating
Debbie Gordon Devoted mother, loving wife, treasured sister and steadfast friend, passed away June 25, 2017, surrounded by her loving husband Bob of 29 years, her two adored children Ali and Evan, her doting brother Bruce Goldberg and, of course, her emotional support animal and best friend, Cooper. She will be sorely missed by many. Born Debra Lee Goldberg in Newark, NJ on August 24, 1957, she graduated summa cum laude from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Debbie did everything to its fullest with impeccable skill and grace. She loved skating and the beauty of figure skating. A tireless supporter of skating as an art form, Deb contributed to the growth of both the Ice Theatre of New York and the Next Ice Age. She was honored as ITNY’s 2012 Ice Angel for her tireless dedication and outstanding contributions. In December 2014, Debbie co-founded Ice Dance International and served as IDI’s Executive Director and Chair of its Board of Directors until stepping down in March due to failing health. In lieu of flowers, or other tributes, please make a donation to Debbie’s beloved Ice Dance International in her memory, www.icedanceinternational.org.
Thomas McGinnis, MFF, MP, MDFD, MPD, MG, MS, MC, MM On July 24, 2017, PSA honorary member Thomas McGinnis passed away after a lifelong career dedicated to the figure skating community. Thomas was born on October 10, 1935. His skating career included competing, performing, and judging at professional competitions, as well as coaching at the national, world, and Olympic level. He coached for over 55 years at The Skating Club of Boston. Tom was a master rated coach and rating examiner in ten PSA disciplines: figures and free skate, pairs, dance and free dance, program director, group, synchronized team skating, choreography, and moves in the field. He is the only coach to have earned a master rating in each discipline. In addition, Tom was awarded a Level VII ranking, PSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and was a member of PSA’s Coaches Hall of Fame. Tom has certainly left a grand legacy and he will be sorely missed.
P ROF ESSIONAL SKATERS ASSOC I AT I ON
EXCELLENCE ON ICE REQ U I RE ME NTS To participate in the EOI program all coaches of the club or rink must be PSA members and carry liability insurance. Member coaches receive a variety of benefits which include: seminars, workshops and conferences, eligibility for ratings and accreditation, group health insurance, liability insurance, PS Magazine subscription, and job placement services. BE NE FI TS Register now and receive national and international recognition as a progressive training facility dedicated to excellence in coaching both on and off-ice. As a registered facility you will receive an ‘Excellence On Ice’ shield to be displayed in the arena, international recognition in PS Magazine, and access to a resource coordinator in the PSA office—all at no cost!
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