9-27-04
PROFESSIONAL FIGURE SKATER AND OLYMPIC
CONTENDER
TEACHING AT PENN STATE BEHREND
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Caryn Kadavy, Erie's own professional figure skater and a U.S. National and World Medalist, is teaching ice skating at Penn State Behrend for the fall semester. The class, held every Tuesday and Thursday at J.M.C. Ice Arena, fulfills three physical education credits. Kadavy is enthusiastic about her teaching experience at Behrend thus far. "I'm thrilled about the opportunity," she said. "I'm learning a lot. [The students] effort level has been really high. By the third class I've seen improvement." |
Kadavy likes giving back to the sport that has been so rewarding for her. "I've really enjoyed the technical side, the creative side of skating. I enjoy giving that to others. It keeps the chain going." Though this is Kadavy's first semester teaching at Behrend, or any university, she instructs younger students from both Erie and Pittsburgh.
Kadavy teaches students with a variety of skating experience from beginner to advanced. The class began with the basics of skating: balance, one-foot glides, proper posture on the ice, and how to balance one's body weight. By the end of the semester students will be expected to perform a thirty-second routine of continual movement. Students are graded based on attendance and effort.
From a young age, Kadavy loved being on the ice. "My dad's side of the family went skating on holidays. I was on double runners when I was two years old." At the age of four, the family had a membership to a local ice skating rink. From then on Kadavy was hooked. From the ages of twelve to twenty Kadavy had to live outside of her hometown of Erie in order to be near rinks open all year round. "My parents realized [that moving] was a sacrifice they would have to make if I was going to go further with skating."
Professional figure skating is a demanding and athletic sport that takes hours of practice. As an Olympic contender, Kadavy practiced six hours a day, six days a week, to remain in top competitive shape. Today Kadavy practices an hour and a half a day and does off-ice training, such as running. Rehearsals for performances, though, still require a rigorous five hours a day of preparation.
Most recently Kadavy participated in the Brian Boitono Skating Spectacular, Scott Hamilton's Christmas Special, and a tribute to composer Burt Bacharach. This year's plans include a tribute to Andre Bocelli, Kristi Yamaguchi's ice show, both in November, and a tribute to Kenny Loggins in December. These shows will air on NBC in December and January.
Contact: Jen Town, 814-898-6522, jlt234@psu.edu