News
May 12, 2009
Local coach Tom McGinnis named to Skating Coaches' Hall of Fame
In late May, the Skating Club of Boston's famed coach Thomas McGinnis will be recognized with the sport's top achievement - being named to the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) Figure Skating Coaches' Hall of Fame. McGinnis will be presented with his award at the association's annual Conference to be held May 21-23, 2009 in Orlando, FL.
McGinnis has coached at The Skating Club of Boston (SCOB) since 1961, and continues to work with figure skaters there from beginning through competitive levels. He also directs the SCOB's Basic Skills program on Monday evenings, a Learn-to-Skate program for skaters of all ages. Known among students for his ability to creatively bring out the best in every skater he works with, McGinnis has worked in all of the skating disciplines including figures, pairs, dance, free skating and choreography.
He has coached his students to National and World team assignments, and he has also worked with International skaters who have moved to the Boston area specifically to train with him. He has been a US International and World Team coach and US Olympic Team alternate coach. For decades, he directed and choreographed SCOB's annual ice show, "Ice Chips."
Carol Rossignol, the PSA's director of Education and Events, says the Hall of Fame selection is based on a coach's lifetime of accomplishment in coaching figure skating. The PSA, organized in 1938, has over 6000 members, including coaches, performing professionals, judges, officials and patrons of the sport. The Association offers education for coaches and judges and accreditation for coaches, and 100% of all US Olympic and World coaches are PSA members. The Hall of Fame honor has been awarded to coaches since 2001, and may be awarded posthumously. The number of honorees is determined based on the proposed candidates each year, and has ranged between two and six since the award's inception. The complete list of this year's awardees will be announced at the Orlando conference.
McGinnis' contribution to the sport and profession of figure skating is vast. He began skating in New York at the age of 10, and passed gold tests in singles, pairs and ice dancing. He augmented his skating training with dance and acrobatics, and was known for his flexibility. He was in demand as a young performer in New York, in ice shows at the Roxy Theatre and dancing on the Martha Raye and Ed Sullivan shows, as well as Your Hit Parade. His stage credits include appearances with the New York City Opera Company, Pajama Game and even swimming with the Aquacade in Flushing, NY. Following his TV and stage appearances, McGinnis starred with Holiday On Ice, touring the US, South and Central America and the Caribbean.
After touring with Holiday On Ice, McGinnis moved to Philadelphia, where he found work as a skating instructor and choreographer, before his move to Boston. He returned to touring when the Ice Capades hired him to coach their star performers in 1979, including Dorothy Hamill, Peggy Fleming, Scott Hamilton, Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner.
His reach in the skating field was broad, and even included Roller Skating. McGinnis was asked to work with US National Champions David Tassinari and his dance partner, Patricia Fogarty and pair partner, Diane Kern in 1965, when they prepared for the 1965 Roller World Championships in Madrid, Spain. Tassinari remembered how Mc Ginnis "both helped us and charmed us" when contacted by his roller coach, Jack Breen, at Roll-Land, in Norwood, MA. Tassinari, reached today, says he considers McGinnis a lifelong friend for that help years ago.
Students speaking warmly of McGinnis' coaching talent is a common theme. "He made my skating style what it was, and he did that by getting to know me and allowing me to be creative and expressive," said Joshua Figurido, who trained with McGinnis at the SCOB and competed at the National level through 2001. "I'm a confident coach today, because of Tommy. And thanks to him, I love coaching!" Figurido now works with skaters in the San Francisco area.
McGinnis brought his skills to the professional community as well. He was one of the coaches who helped create the Moves in the Field protocol, the skills and related tests which judge skaters' edge quality, power, extension and quickness. He organized three major conferences for the PSA, including the first combining US and Canadian coaches. He has judged professional championships and founded an international skating publication, International Figure Skating Magazine. He holds master ratings in eight disciplines by the PSA, and was awarded their "Lifetime Achievement" award.
Asked by a student if McGinnis will retire from coaching, having earned the Hall of Fame distinction, he responds with a sly grin. "Why would I? This means I'm getting better. I can always keep improving."
