Scott will be in the Twin Cities this weekend December 4 & 5 to promote the 2016 Prudential US Figure Skating Championships coming to the Xcel Energy Center January 15th-24th. Also this weekend, the first of six free Cub Foods Learn-to-Skate programs will kick off at the Wells Fargo WinterSkate rink in downtown Saint Paul.
I grew up watching Scott Hamilton figure skating on TV. Getting to stay up late, waiting in anticipation to see what kind of fun, silly, and exciting routine he would do... these are some of my fondest memories of my childhood. I always thought that he was the one who came up with the back flip! The truth is, he actually saw other skaters that he needed to beat doing it and wanted to do it himself. He didn't want them to have any advantage. Many figure skaters didn't have a whole lot of rivalry, because much of the competition was based on how well you did, and the judges' scores. Scott said his favorite place he ever skated is Madison Square Garden in New York. He says there is something special about it. Truthfully he loves to perform any place there are people!
During the Olympics, the athletes just wanted to compete, and they weren't too concerned about the politics going on between the countries. They just skated, being oblivious to what goes on between the leadership to win medals, putting the right judge in the right place, and things like that.
Scott's advice for kids in sports or any goal they want to achieve are: first, they should show up, give their best effort, and do their best. Then, if they would want to achieve a higher level, they should make it a priority in their life. Also, be efficient with their practice time and days. Train on a level that they would like to play. Parents that have kids in sports, remember that it is your kid's sport. You can be supportive, and cheer them on. As a father of 4, Scott says, "Even I get caught up in my own kid's sports. I'm not the coach and I have to work hard to be supportive of them and not distract what they do."
Scott says his parenting style is being a talker. "I wear them out. I ask them why it is not a good choice, why we make the decisions we make, etc." He says he is not a yeller, very composed, and not strict, he just talks.
Scott has overcome being adopted, childhood illness, a gold medalist, cancer, and brain surgery. He believes that each of these events has made him stronger to deal with the next . He believes that nothing comes by chance, he believes "having the luxury of time and age and the Lord" has made surviving possible. "I don't think anything is by chance. It has taught me independence, being strong, it helped develop my personality. I look back on it all and these things have taught me how to be successful."
I grew up watching Scott Hamilton figure skating on TV. Getting to stay up late, waiting in anticipation to see what kind of fun, silly, and exciting routine he would do... these are some of my fondest memories of my childhood. I always thought that he was the one who came up with the back flip! The truth is, he actually saw other skaters that he needed to beat doing it and wanted to do it himself. He didn't want them to have any advantage. Many figure skaters didn't have a whole lot of rivalry, because much of the competition was based on how well you did, and the judges' scores. Scott said his favorite place he ever skated is Madison Square Garden in New York. He says there is something special about it. Truthfully he loves to perform any place there are people!
During the Olympics, the athletes just wanted to compete, and they weren't too concerned about the politics going on between the countries. They just skated, being oblivious to what goes on between the leadership to win medals, putting the right judge in the right place, and things like that.
Scott's advice for kids in sports or any goal they want to achieve are: first, they should show up, give their best effort, and do their best. Then, if they would want to achieve a higher level, they should make it a priority in their life. Also, be efficient with their practice time and days. Train on a level that they would like to play. Parents that have kids in sports, remember that it is your kid's sport. You can be supportive, and cheer them on. As a father of 4, Scott says, "Even I get caught up in my own kid's sports. I'm not the coach and I have to work hard to be supportive of them and not distract what they do."
Scott says his parenting style is being a talker. "I wear them out. I ask them why it is not a good choice, why we make the decisions we make, etc." He says he is not a yeller, very composed, and not strict, he just talks.
Scott has overcome being adopted, childhood illness, a gold medalist, cancer, and brain surgery. He believes that each of these events has made him stronger to deal with the next . He believes that nothing comes by chance, he believes "having the luxury of time and age and the Lord" has made surviving possible. "I don't think anything is by chance. It has taught me independence, being strong, it helped develop my personality. I look back on it all and these things have taught me how to be successful."
He also grants wishes for the Make a Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to kids with life threatening illnesses. Scott said it was a great experience to spend time with these kids and their families, also supporting them (the foundation) financially. "There is nothing more beautiful then seeing a child experience something, not knowing how many days are left for them."
Scott wants people to remember to be kind to each other. It is important to make personal contacts and have face to face conversations. Social media has taken away our ability to interact with others and everyday human contact.
I asked Scott if he had any final words of wisdom for me. His response was, "We are all going to get pummeled with stuff, bad things happen. Life changes, we all will fall down, we all face things in our life we don't want to face, but we can get through it okay. If we didn't have tough days in our lives, we wouldn't have anything to compare the good stuff too. We shouldn't hold on to the bad, we should let it build us up and make us stronger. It is part of life."
If you would like to meet Scott Hamilton, he will doing a meet-and-greet for fans and sign autographs in the Twin Cities.
I asked Scott if he had any final words of wisdom for me. His response was, "We are all going to get pummeled with stuff, bad things happen. Life changes, we all will fall down, we all face things in our life we don't want to face, but we can get through it okay. If we didn't have tough days in our lives, we wouldn't have anything to compare the good stuff too. We shouldn't hold on to the bad, we should let it build us up and make us stronger. It is part of life."
If you would like to meet Scott Hamilton, he will doing a meet-and-greet for fans and sign autographs in the Twin Cities.
- Star Tribune: Friday, Dec. 4 at 11:30 a.m.
Capella Tower: 225 S. Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
- Cub Foods Maple Grove: Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m.8150 Wedgewood Lane, Maple Grove, MN 55369
- Cub Foods Plymouth: Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11:45 a.m. 4445 Nathan Lane, Plymouth, MN 55442
Also, Cub Foods Learn-to-Skate program officially begins on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Wells Fargo WinterSkate rink in Rice Park. Professional figure skating coaches will be on hand to teach interested skaters some new moves or help them brush up on their basic skills. The program is free and open to the public. Rental skates will be available for a minimal charge. Other Cub Foods Learn-to-Skate dates at the Wells Fargo Winter Skate rink are Dec. 12 and 19 and Jan. 9, 16 and 23. Minnesota-based grocer Cub Foods is the Official Local Presenting Partner and the Official Floral Provider for 2016 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
The U.S. Championships serve as the final qualifying events to make the U.S. World Figure Skating Team and the U.S. Olympic Team. The U.S. Figure Skating Championships attract more than 1,600 athletes, coaches and officials, and over 110,000 fans annually to the host community and have generated up to $30 million in economic impact for recent host cities. The annual event, held since 1914, is the nation's most prestigious figure skating event, with past winners including Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Hamilton. The city of Saint Paul also hosted the 2008 U.S. Championships. Champions included 2010 Olympians Mirai Nagasu, Evan Lysacek, and Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto.
Single-session tickets, Championship Weekend Packages and All-Event Ticket Packages can be purchased online at 2016uschampionships.com or at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office. Groups (12+) call 651-312-3486. This event will also be televised on NBC.
