Joint PSA/U.S. Figure Skating EDI Awards
Award History
Following the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, members of the awards nominations subcommittee participated in a conference call to nominate coaches for the Coach of the Year, Developmental Coach of the Year, Choreographer of the Year, and Sport Science Coaching Awards. Appointees for the nominations subcommittee were members of the U.S. Figure Skating Coaches Committee, PSA Board of Directors, coaching members of the U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors, and staff members of U.S. Figure Skating and the PSA. The subcommittee consisted of seven to nine members and represented all four disciplines (singles, pairs, dance, and synchronized) and all three sections.
Nominees
Nominees for all four awards were selected using specific criteria. There was no set number of nominees for each award, but the Coach of the Year and Developmental Coach of the Year awards had to have at least one nominee from each discipline (singles, pairs, dance, and synchronized).
The Ballot
All nominees for all four awards were placed on a ballot, which was sent to all members of the Coaches Committee of U.S. Figure Skating and the PSA Board of Governors. In addition, the Choreographer of the Year award ballot was sent to the International Committee, and the Sport Science Coaching Award ballot was sent to the Sports Sciences and Medicine Committee. Ballots detailed coaching records for the appropriate season as well as other award criteria. Votes were tabulated by the U.S. Figure Skating office to determine the award winners. Nominees were announced at Governing Council, and the winners were announced and honored at the PSA Summit (previously Conference) at the end of May. Winners of the Coach of the Year, Developmental Coach of the Year, and Sport Science Coaching Award were then nominated for the USOC Coaching Awards in December.
Coach of the Year Award
Presented to a person in the skating world who has earned distinction for unending dedication and significant contribution to the world of figure skating.
Paul McGrath Choreographer of the Year Award
The Paul McGrath Award for Choreographer of the Year is given each year to the choreographer who best exemplifies the dedication to artistic excellence that was portrayed by Paul McGrath in his coaching and choreography.
Developmental Coach of the Year Award
A nominee for [the Developmental Coach of the Year award] must have had one or more skaters medal at:
- U.S. Figure Skating Championships (juvenile, intermediate, novice, or junior level),
- U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships (juvenile, intermediate, novice, or junior level), or
- An ISU-sanctioned competition (novice or junior level) representing Team USA.
Nominees must have coached these skaters since the beginning of the season and must be members of U.S. Figure Skating and PSA.
Pieter Kollen Sport Science Coaching Award
The Pieter Kollen Sport Science Coaching Award is for a coach who utilizes scientific techniques and/or equipment as an integral part of his/her coaching methods and/or is involved in research, development, publication and education in the areas of sport science and medicine as it relates to figure skating and coaching.