Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1431926
W hen U.S. Figure Skating was formed in 1921, the world was slowly return- ing to normal fol- lowing the Spanish Flu pandemic. One hundred years later, the organization is celebrating a notable milestone while facing yet another global crisis. While U.S. Figure Skating geared up to celebrate its 100th anniversary, COVID-19 was shutting down busi- nesses, schools and even skating rinks worldwide. What was to be a year-long celebration with in-person events across the country became a historic virtual initiative that engaged thousands of users across different channels. Despite uncertainty for the present and future, the organization perse- vered, determined to support skat- ers nationwide while celebrating its 100th anniversary in all ways possible. New events like virtual 5Ks and new digital content like podcasts and a site dedicated to the centennial celebration engaged users in ways never seen by the organization before. "The many challenges of the past year have brought the skating community closer together than ever before and we were able to harness many of the new ways of coming together to help honor and celebrate the last 100 years of U.S. Figure Skating," said Ramsey Baker, the Executive Director of U.S. Figure Skating. "We will continue celebrating the legacy of the organization beyond this year and we look forward to taking what we have learned over the past 18 months into what we know will be an amazing next 100 years for the organization." U.S. Figure Skating tapped into vari- ous mediums to celebrate its 100th anni- versary. Here are a few highlights of the last year: Digital Voices Honoring the voices of U.S. Figure Skating is an essential part of celebrat- ing 100 years. Athletes, judges, coaches and even parents helped shape the sport of figure skating in the country into what it is today. To commemorate these individuals, U.S. Figure Skating launched two podcasts: "Skating Vault" and "Voices From The Ice." In 2007, Allison Manley launched her "Manleywoman Skate Cast," where she interviewed skating legends like Dick Button, Tai Babilonia and more. "Skating Vault," which launched in April is repub- lishing some of the best interviews from Manley's original podcast. U.S. Figure Skating uses virtual offerings to celebrate 100 years "WE WERE ABLE TO HARNESS MANY NEW WAYS OF COMING TOGETHER OVER THE PAST YEAR TO HELP HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE LAST 100 YEARS OF U.S. FIGURE SKATING." by Taylor Dean 28 / NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2021 USICERINKS.COM The Continues Celebration