U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States. It is recognized as such by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and is the United States member of the International Skating Union (ISU). Although the official name of the organization is "the United States Figure Skating Association," it is now known as and conducts business under the name "U.S. Figure Skating." Founded in 1921, U.S. Figure Skating regulates and governs the sport and defines and maintains the standard of skating proficiency. It specifies the rules for testing, competitions, and all other figure skating related activities. U.S. Figure Skating promotes interest and participation in the sport by assisting member clubs, skaters, and athletes, appointing officials, organizing competitions, exhibitions, and other figure skating pursuits, and offering a wide variety of programs.[1]
Athletes and officials who represent the United States at international figure skating competitions are selected by U.S. Figure Skating.
Since its inception through 1947, the governance activities of the Association were centered in New York City. The annual Governing Council meetings, as well as the annual Executive Committee meetings, were all held in New York City. In 1949 the Association transferred its offices to Chicago, Illinois. The offices were again moved, this time to Boston, in 1950. In 1979, the Association moved into its current headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This followed the USOC's move to Colorado Springs a year earlier in July 1978.[13]
In the 1930s, the Association made an effort to increase the number of competitive events by creating the three sectional championships, Eastern (1938), Midwestern (1933), and Pacific Coast (1936).[14]
In 1959, the Eastern and Pacific Coast Sections expanded their qualifying competitions by adding three Sub-Sectionals Championships each. The Eastern Section created the New England, North Atlantic, and South Atlantic Regions, while the Pacific Coast Section established the Central Pacific, Northwest, and Southwest Pacific Regions. It wasn't until 1962 that the Midwestern Sectional finally added their regional championships to the qualifying competition cycle.[15]
The abbreviated name, "USFSA" was first used in April 1921 and trademarked in 1972.[16] The distinctive shield logo was adopted in 1964[17] and used until 2003 when U.S. Figure Skating instituted its current logo.[18]
In 2006, the Executive Committee was eliminated.[19] At the same time the Board of Directors was reduced to sixteen members from its previous 29 members.
As of May 5, 2007, the Association officially adopted the name "U.S. Figure Skating" and dropped the abbreviated name of "USFSA".[20][21]
Governance
U.S. Figure Skating is an association of clubs, governed by its members and its elected officers at national, regional and club levels.[22] As of June 2011, U.S. Figure Skating had 688 member, collegiate, and school-affiliated clubs[23] and a membership of 180,452.[23] Each member club may send delegates to the annual Governing Council meeting.
Governing Council
U.S. Figure Skating has a representational government. Clubs and individual members appoint delegates. The number of delegates representing a club and the individual members depends on the prior year's paid registered member. Athlete delegate representation is required to be 20 percent of the prior year's registered delegate and proxy votes. Collectively these delegates meet annually (typically early May) to review, amend and ratify the actions taken by the Board since the prior year's Governing Council. This annual meeting of the appointed delegates is called the Governing Council.[24]
Board of directors
The Board of Directors is charged with the management of the business and affairs of U.S. Figure Skating. It is currently composed of sixteen (16) members including: the president, three (3) vice presidents (one from each section), the secretary, the treasurer, four (4) group coordinators, two (2) coaches, and four (4) athletes.[25]
Presidents
Samuel Auxier is the current president of U.S. Figure Skating. He began his term in 2022. The prior presidents are listed below.[26]
Committees, in particular the Permanent Committees, are responsible for proposing and enforcing the rules of the U.S. Figure Skating. Other special committees may undertake other projects, such as nominations and other ad hoc matters.
Permanent committees
The following table shows the Association's permanent committees:[27]
Adult Skating
Athlete Development
Athletes Advisory
Audit
Coaches
Collegiate Program
Compensation
Competitions
Dance
Ethics
Finance
Grievance
International
International Judges & Officials
Judges
Membership
Memorial Fund
Pairs
Parents
Program Development
Rules
Sanctions and Eligibility
Selections
Singles
Special Olympics/Therapeutic
Sports Sciences and Medicine
State Games
Strategic Planning
Synchronized Skating
Technical Panel
Tests
Theatrical Skating
Mission statement
“As the national governing body, the mission of the United States Figure Skating Association is to provide programs to encourage participation and achievement in the sport of figure skating on ice.”[1]
Operations
Executive Director
The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of U.S. Figure Skating. Mr. David Raith is currently serving in that capacity and has done so since 2005. He is charged with carrying out the policies, programs, and goals of the association as approved by the Board of Directors.[28]
Departments
The departments that support U.S. Figure Skating's operations reside at its headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO. These departments are staffed by full-time employees. They administer and manage the association's day-to-day affairs.[29]
Athlete Development
Athlete High Performance
Events
Finance
Information Technology
Marketing and Communications
Membership
Executive Director
Finance
The Association is a non-profit organization.[30] As of June 30, 2011, U.S. Figure Skating had revenue, support, and gains of approximately $24.9 million derived primarily from dues, admissions and activity fees, skating events, sponsorships, broadcast and licensing, publications, grants, and other sources. The association expended approximately $12.9 million on its various programs and services plus an additional $2.4 million on management and general administrative expenses, under which the departments listed under the “Operations – Departments” are included.[31]
Officials
Member clubs arrange to hold test sessions and competitions. The competitions are conducted under the supervision and authority of U.S. Figure Skating appointed officials. The member club (for competitions, the club is sometimes called the local organizing committee or “LOC”) is responsible for many of the ancillary functions of the test session or competition (registration, transportation, event monitoring, hospitality, messengers, copying, etc.). For national and international events, U.S. Figure Skating headquarters staff also provides logistics and event support. The officials are responsible for actually running the test sessions, competitions, and associated individual events. All the officials at test sessions and competitions are unpaid volunteers.[32]
Officials receive their appointments from U.S. Figure Skating after demonstrating a certain level of proficiency, and in some cases, after trialing or taking written examinations. In most cases, officials are appointed at three (3) levels; regional, sectional, and national.[33]
Below is a list of officials at a typical large competition. For the 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, 70 officials were assigned along with over 50 alternate officials.[34] The parenthetical number is how many people were assigned to the respective positions. If there is no number, only one person was assigned.
Chief Referee
Assistant Referees (3)
Dance Referee
Assistant Dance Referees
Chief Accountant
Assistant Accountants (3)
Chief Technical Accountant
Assistant Technical Accountants (2)
Chief Ice Technician
Assistant Ice Technicians (3)
Chief Music Coordinator
Assistant Music Coordinators (4)
Music Technician
Chief Announcer
Assistant Announcers (3)
Technical Controllers (6)
Technical Specialists (8)
Data Operators
Video Replay Operators
Judges - Singles/Pairs (18)
Judges - Dance (9)
Organization
U.S. Figure Skating's members, clubs, and qualifying competitions are divided into three (3) geographical sections, that are further divided into nine (9) regions.[35]
Eastern Section
New England Region
North Atlantic Region
South Atlantic Region
Connecticut
New Jersey
Delaware
Maine
New York
District of Columbia
Massachusetts
Pennsylvania1
Florida
New Hampshire
Georgia
Rhode Island
Maryland
Vermont
North Carolina
Pennsylvania2
South Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia
Chattanooga, Tennessee
1Erie, PA 2excluding Erie, PA
Midwestern Section
Eastern Great Lakes Region
Upper Great Lakes Region
Southwestern Region
Alabama
Illinois
Arkansas
Indiana
Iowa
Colorado1
Kentucky
Pennsylvania
Kansas
Michigan3
Minnesota
Louisiana
Mississippi
Louisiana
Nebraska
Ohio
North Dakota
New Mexico
Tennessee Skate International Brand Alliance
South Dakota
Missouri-PA
Wisconsin
Oklahoma
Texas
1excluded for Synchronized only 2Upper Peninsula 3Lower Peninsula 4excluding Kansas City and St. Joseph's 5excluding Chattanooga 6Kansas City and St. Joseph's
Pacific Coast Section
Northwest Pacific Region
Central Pacific Region
Southwest Pacific Region
Alaska
California1
Arizona
Idaho
Colorado2
California3
Montana
Hawaii
Nevada4
Oregon
Nevada5
Washington
Utah
Wyoming
1all cities north of and including Visalia 2for Synchronized only 3all cities south of Visalia 4Las Vegas 5excluding Las Vegas
Types of membership
U.S. Figure Skating has nine (9) types of membership:[20]
Clubs that foster figure skating, known as “member clubs”;
Individual persons registered with U.S. Figure Skating who are members of a member club or a collegiate club;
Individual persons who are not home club members of any member club, known as “individual members”;
Honorary members;
Collegiate club and school-affiliated members;
Basic Skills members;
Supportive members;
Theatre On Ice/Team, and
Introductory Members
U.S. Figure Skating programs
U.S. Figure Skating offers many programs to accommodate a wide range of skill and interest levels.[36]
Testing allows figure skaters to demonstrate that they have achieved a certain level of skating proficiency. Tests progress in increasing difficulty and focus on power, strength, speed, quickness, flow, extension, and edge quality and control.[37] Tests are conducted under the auspices of member clubs and administered during test sessions. Usually, three (3) test judges (the judge panel),[38] of appropriate level, determine the outcome of the tests on a pass / retry basis. Tests up to a certain level may be judged by a single, sufficiently qualified, judge.[38] Some higher-level dance tests require judges certified in dance judging to attend. The member club is responsible for reporting the results to U.S. Figure Skating.[39] U.S. Figure appoints test judges at various levels (bronze, silver, and gold) based on trial judging and their judging experience. According to their level, test judges are qualified to determine the outcome of increasingly difficult tests. Test judges are invited by the member club to participate in a given test session. Skaters’ testing levels passed determines at what level they may compete. For qualifying competitions, skaters must pass the free skate test at the level for which they intend to compete. U.S. Figure Skating still offers tests in compulsory figures, however, this discipline was last competed at a national championship competition in 1999.[40]
Singles and adult skaters must show they are proficient at a given level by passing two (2) tests at each level, moves in the field ("MIF") and free skate ("FS"). Additional test are conducted in the pairs skating, free dance and pattern dance discipline. Each member of a synchronized skating team must pass the appropriate test of single's competitor.
Tests must be completed in the order of increasing difficulty. They may not be taken out of turn.[41] However, a singles skater may take as many moves-in-the-field tests before taking any free skate tests.[42] Once a free skate test is passed, a competitor may only compete at that level at qualifying competitions. There are four (4) test levels specific to adult figure skating.[43] Adult skater must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older.[44]
Standard track levels
Moves in the field
Free skate
Pairs
MIF, FS, Pairs Panel1
Free dance
Free dance Panel2
Pre-Preliminary
Pre-Preliminary
Bronze3
Preliminary
Preliminary
Bronze4
Pre-Juvenile
Pre-Juvenile
Pre-Juvenile
Bronze
Juvenile
Juvenile
Juvenile
Bronze
Juvenile
Bronze5
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Silver
Intermediate
Bronze5
Novice
Novice
Novice
Silver
Novice
Bronze
Junior
Junior
Junior
Gold
Junior
Silver
Senior
Senior
Senior
Gold
Senior
Gold
1The test panel consists of three test judges of these levels or higher, appointed in single/pairs or dance for MIF or in single/pairs for FS. 2The test panel consists of three dance test judges of these levels or higher. 3A single bronze or higher test judge, appointed in single/pairs or dance for MIF or in single/pairs for FS, may also judge this level. 4A single silver or higher test judge, appointed in single/pairs or dance for MIF or in single/pairs for FS, may also judge this level. 5A single silver or higher dance test judge may also judge this level.
Adult track levels
Moves in the field
Free skate
Pairs
MIF, FS, Pairs Panel1
Free dance
Free dance Panel2
Adult Pre-Bronze
Adult Pre-Bronze
Bronze3
Adult Pre-Bronze
Bronze4
Adult Bronze
Adult Bronze
Adult Bronze
Bronze5
Adult Bronze
Bronze4
Adult Silver
Adult Silver
Adult Silver
Bronze
Adult Silver
Bronze
Adult Gold
Adult Gold
Adult Gold
Silver
Adult Gold
Silver
1The test panel consists of three test judges of these levels or higher, appointed in single/pairs or dance for MIF or in single/pairs for FS. 2The test panel consists of three dance test judges of these levels or higher. 3A single bronze or higher test judge, appointed in single/pairs or dance for MIF or in single/pairs for FS, may also judge this level. 4A single silver or higher dance test judge may also judge this level. 5A single silver or higher test judge, appointed in single/pairs or dance for MIF or in single/pairs for FS, may also judge this level.
Each level of pattern dance, with the exception of international, consists of three or four individual dances. Preliminary skaters must pass the Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, and Rhythm Blues,[45] while gold-level skaters must pass the Viennese Waltz, Westminster Waltz, Quickstep, and Argentine Tango.[46] There are currently ten dances at the international level.[47]
Level
Panel ex. Solo1
Panel Solo2
Preliminary, Solo Preliminary
Bronze3
Bronze
Pre-Bronze, (Standard, Adult, Masters and Solo)
Bronze4
Bronze
Bronze (Standard, Adult, Masters and Solo)
Bronze
Bronze
Pre-Silver (Standard, Adult, Masters and Solo)
Bronze
Bronze
Silver (Standard, Adult, Masters and Solo)
Silver
Silver
Pre-Gold (Standard, Adult, Masters and Solo)
Silver
Silver
Gold (Standard, Adult, Masters and Solo)
Gold
Gold
International (Standard, Adult and Masters)
Gold
1The test panel consists of three dance test judges of these levels or higher. 2The test panel consists of one or three dance test judges of these levels or higher. 3A single bronze or higher dance test judge may also judge this level. 4A single silver or higher dance test judge may also judge this level.
Synchronized skating
Synchronized skating team the Haydenettes in 2006.
Synchronized skating teams are not required to pass any tests as a whole. Each individual team member must have passed the appropriate moves-in-the-field test.[48]
Team
Individual
Senior
Novice
Junior
Intermediate
Novice
Juvenile
Intermediate
Pre-Juvenile
Juvenile
Preliminary
Preliminary
(none)
Collegiate
Juvenile
Adult
Adult Bronze1
Masters
(none)
Pre-Juvenile
(none)
Open Juvenile
Pre-Preliminary
Open Adult
(none)
Open Collegiate
(none)
1Preliminary moves in the field, dance, or figure is also acceptable.
Every year, U.S. Figure Skating sanctions numerous non-qualifying competitions, shows, and carnivals.[49] In addition, it annually sanctions qualifying regional and sectional competitions,[50] in various disciplines, that lead up to championship competitions. The Association also selects those athletes and officials that represent the United States at international competitions.
Regional competitions
The following regional competitions are held in singles skating:[51]
Singles
New England Regional Figure Skating Championships
North Atlantic Regional Figure Skating Championships
South Atlantic Regional Figure Skating Championships
Eastern Great Lakes Regional Figure Skating Championships
Upper Great Lakes Regional Figure Skating Championships
* Effective September 1, 2012, the U.S. Junior Championships (for Juvenile and Intermediate level competitors) was eliminated and those levels are held in conjunction with the U.S. Championships.[55]
International competitions
U.S. Figure Skating selects the athletes and officials that represent the United States at international figure skating competitions (Team USA). These competitions include the ISU Junior Grand Prix, Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, the ISU Grand Prix, the World Synchronized Skating Championships, the World Figure Skating Championships, and the Olympic Games.[56] Although the participants for Worlds and the Olympics are most often the top placers at US Nationals, there have been several times when other skaters have been selected due to injuries preventing them from competing at Nationals; Nancy Kerrigan being selected for the 1994 Olympics over 2nd-place finisher Michelle Kwan is one example. Most recently 2014 4th-place finisher Ashley Wagner was selected over 3rd place Mirai Nagasu ostensibly because of Wagner's more consistent international record; however, because of Wagner's many endorsement contracts, her selection has raised concerns about the fairness of the process (since U.S. Championships are not used as a straightforward Olympic trials).[57][58]
Sponsors
U.S. Figure Skating has a number of sponsors, suppliers, and licensees that provide support to the association either financially or by supplying other goods and services. U.S. Figure Skating also makes available its logo and sanctioned content, primarily competitions, to various licensees.[59]
In 2005, U.S. Figure Skating partnered with MLB Advanced Media to set up Ice Network, LLC. Ice Network, LLC is a wholly owned by U.S. Figure Skating.[66] In 2018, Ice Network's website closed.
Memorial Fund
Formation and purpose
On February 15, 1961, the entire United States figure skating team was killed when Sabena Flight 548 crashed en route from New York City to Brussels, Belgium.[67] The team was going to participate in the 1961 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Among the team members that perished were 18 athletes, seven coaches and managers, three judges and referees, and six team family members.[68] Within one week of the tragedy, the association announced the formation of a memorial fund in honor of the lost team members.[69]
"The mission of the Memorial Fund is to provide qualified U.S. Figure Skating members in need of financial aid with monetary assistance to pursue their goals both inside and outside the competitive arena. The fund is committed to awarding skating and academic scholarships to those athletes who have demonstrated excellent competitive results and/or academic achievements, and who have potential in national and international competitions."[70]
RISE
In 2009, U.S. Figure Skating commissioned the production of a full-length feature documentary film commemorating the 50th anniversary of the loss of the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Championship team and exalting figure skating in the U.S.[71] The movie, RISE, was produced and directed by the Emmy-award-winning company, Lookalike Productions of Englewood, NJ.[72] The film was released on February 17, 2011, for a one-night presentation through NCM Fathom.[73] It was shown again for an encore presentation on March 7, 2011.[74] Proceeds of the movie were used to further the mission of the Memorial Fund.[71]
^In June 2010, the ISU replaced the name "compulsory dance" with "pattern dance". p.2Archived 2011-07-09 at the Wayback Machine, Section I.1.1.b), "ISU Communication 1621", International Skating Union, (accessed July 19, 2011).
^U.S. Figure Skating also adopted the name "pattern dance" in 2011. p.32, "2011–12 Tests Book", U.S. Figure Skating, (accessed July 19, 2011).
^ ab"RISE". www.usfigureskating.org. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
^"Documentaries", Lookalike Productions, (accessed July 4, 2011)
^"RISE", Fathom Events, (accessed August 24, 2011)
^"RISE Encore", Fathom Events, (accessed August 24, 2011)
Further reading
Wright, Benjamin T. (1996). Skating In America (1921–1996) The 75th Anniversary History of the United States Figure Skating Association. Colorado Springs, Colorado: The United States Figure Skating Association.
