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USICERINKS.COM MARCH.APRIL.2019 / 29 Whether tragedy or triumph, U.S. Figure Skating has persevered and risen from its darkest days. The Feb. 15, 1961, crash inspired the establishment of the Memorial Fund, a scholarship program that supports athletes in skating and academics. To this day, the Memorial Fund has awarded ath- letes more than $20 million, preserving the legacy of the skaters who perished in the crash. In 2019, U.S. Figure Skating achieved a major milestone and broke its member- ship record with 203,023 members. A large piece of this outstanding triumph is Learn to Skate USA, which broke its own mem- bership record with 144,476 members that same year. Learn to Skate USA formed from the Basic Skills Program, which has introduced more than 3 million skaters to the ice since 1968. Many of those skaters have gone on to become the very athletes that future figure skaters, hockey players and figure skaters look up to and aspire to become. SINCE ITS INCEPTION U.S. FIGURE SKATING HAS CULTIVATED OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS, RENOWNED COACHES AND AVID SUPPORTERS. , The 1961 U.S. World Team, whose lives were taken in a plane crash en route to the World Championships, is honored through the Memorial Fund. , Learn to Skate USA, along with their mascot, Snowplow Sam, has been welcoming skaters to the ice since 2016. , 2021 National Skating Month marks 20 years since the inaugural month-long event. 1994 Nancy Kerrigan attacked, resulting in record-breaking Olympic TV ratings 1995 First U.S. Adult Championships 2000 U.S. Ice Rink Association is formed through a joint venture between U.S. Figure Skating and USA Hockey 2001 First National Skating Month 2002 Basic Skills reaches 100,000 members 2008 First National Theatre On Ice competition 2016 Learn to Skate USA launched USICERINKS.COM JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2021 / 29