Spring Break
Go figure; skating club pays thousands
Rossa Dono
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: Sports
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Sliding along and consistently in search for new members since its creation in 2000, the San Jose State University figure skating club's nine members are trying to bring more interest to skating in San Jose.
"It's difficult to get members," says Sandy Schaad, a member getting her masters in kinesiology. "Because basically in the East Coast there are 30,000 skaters… and in the West Coast there are only 10,000 skaters. There are fewer skaters out here and without a large program, we can't recruit students."
As of now skaters must pay upwards of $1,000 per competition, said Schaad. San Jose State does not currently fund the ice skating club.
"We're looking for members who are recreational and want to skate with us," Schaad said. "People think it's going to be demanding but it's not as demanding as people may think. We are students who enjoy skating. The intercollegiate skating is about having fun and challenging yourself," Schaad said.
Schaad started the program back in 2000 after attending a competition at the University of Delaware as a representative of San Jose State, Schaad said.
"This particular program is intended for the fairly new skater and for those skaters who have spent a lot of their growing up years skating," said Mary Panyan, who used to be the advisor for the figure skating club.
Three members of San Jose State's figure skating club will attend the National Intercollegiate Figure Skating Championship - Rachel Duran, Kristin Hitchman and Sandy Schaad are the only qualifying competitors flying to New Hampshire to represent San Jose State as of yet.
Nick Roby, a double major in business and kinesiology, is the only male figure skater on the team and hopes to petition to go to nationals along with the club.
"At the current moment I'm not eligible to go to nationals but we are going to try and apply for a bye," said Roby who is also the president of the club. "I was unable to compete in two competitions (due to illness) and that's a requirement for being able to compete in nationals, but the team itself did qualify."
"It's difficult to get members," says Sandy Schaad, a member getting her masters in kinesiology. "Because basically in the East Coast there are 30,000 skaters… and in the West Coast there are only 10,000 skaters. There are fewer skaters out here and without a large program, we can't recruit students."
As of now skaters must pay upwards of $1,000 per competition, said Schaad. San Jose State does not currently fund the ice skating club.
"We're looking for members who are recreational and want to skate with us," Schaad said. "People think it's going to be demanding but it's not as demanding as people may think. We are students who enjoy skating. The intercollegiate skating is about having fun and challenging yourself," Schaad said.
Schaad started the program back in 2000 after attending a competition at the University of Delaware as a representative of San Jose State, Schaad said.
"This particular program is intended for the fairly new skater and for those skaters who have spent a lot of their growing up years skating," said Mary Panyan, who used to be the advisor for the figure skating club.
Three members of San Jose State's figure skating club will attend the National Intercollegiate Figure Skating Championship - Rachel Duran, Kristin Hitchman and Sandy Schaad are the only qualifying competitors flying to New Hampshire to represent San Jose State as of yet.
Nick Roby, a double major in business and kinesiology, is the only male figure skater on the team and hopes to petition to go to nationals along with the club.
"At the current moment I'm not eligible to go to nationals but we are going to try and apply for a bye," said Roby who is also the president of the club. "I was unable to compete in two competitions (due to illness) and that's a requirement for being able to compete in nationals, but the team itself did qualify."
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Joseph
posted 3/22/07 @ 8:28 PM PST
Rossa, you say the club member pays thousands - but where are your sources from the financial side of the club. SJSU Financial & the club treasurer. "Go Figure" your title is right. (Continued…)
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