About the Amherst Skating Club
Our Mission Statement
The Amherst Skating Club, as a member club of United States Figure Skating, is dedicated to promoting excellence in all aspects of figure skating. To this end we:
Provide a safe environment in which each skater can achieve his/her goals.
Provide an organizational structure to assist or lead in the coordination of all programs associated with figure skating.
Offer instruction in all levels and aspects of figure skating.
About the Amherst Skating Club
The Amherst Skating Club is a United States Figure Skating (USFS) club with 120 amateur skaters, both young and adult, and 215 non-skating adult members including parents, coaches and judges. Our parent organization, the USFS, governs amateur figure skating programs in the United States. Our home ice is the Amherst Ice Center; a four-rink facility located on Amherst Manor Drive in Amherst, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. We are a 501(c)(3) Not For Profit Corporation dedicated to promoting excellence in all aspects of figure skating (Club History, By-Laws and Rules.)
Our club has been in operation since 1964. We hosted the USFS 1974, 1998, 2001, 2005 and most recently the 2008 North Atlantic Regional Championships, as well as the USFS 2000 Junior National Championships. We host an annual Amherst Skating Club Invitational Competition, drawing approximately 300 competitors each year.
We have the most comprehensive year-round program in the area and offer programs in Freestyle, Dance, Moves in the Field, power skating, on-ice choreography, USFS tests, off-ice conditioning, and recently introduced synchronized skating. The ASC offers summer, fall, winter and spring Ice Schedules sold through ice purchase contracts to our members. ASC members may also purchase ice through advance-sale ice cards and USFS non-club members may guest with some restrictions for a fee. We also offer the USFS Skate with US (group lesson) program to non-club members, providing group instruction to over 600 enrollees annually. We hold classes in basic skating skills, figure skating, pre-school and adult only classes.
Our experienced and qualified coaches are USFS and Professional Skaters Association members, many of whom are former National and World competitors. They offer private instruction to ASC members and group lessons through our Skate with US program. An elected volunteer Board of Directors, many committees; our tireless membership of willing volunteers; the Junior Board; an office manager; and a Skate with US Coordinator manage club programs.
class="indent1">We are home to basic skill skaters through National, Junior National and World competitors. The heart and soul of our club is our many Volunteers. Come Join Us!
Last ASC Membership Meeting.
The latest ASC Membership Meeting was held at the Amherst Pepsi Center. Click on this link to read the ASC Board President's Statement.
History of the Amherst Skating Club
Edward Selleck, one of the ten original members of the Amherst Skating Club, was the first person to submit an application to the Amherst Recreation Commission, on August 3, 1964. The stated purpose for applying for the formation of the club was to utilize to the fullest the new ice rink facility, which was opened in early 1964, to develop the sport of figure skating among the residents of the Town of Amherst and to become affiliated with the U.S.F.S.A.
The first directors‘ meeting was held on December 2, 1966, after several organizational meetings had been held to formulate plans for the Club. Vernon Fruehauf was elected President. After one year of the Club's existence the membership had grown to 120 members.
In January 1967, the Club boasted a membership of 200 individual members, of which almost half were children. That same year, the Amherst Skating Club participated in the Town of Amherst Winter Carnival for the first time.
The year 1968 brought many changes and growth for the Club under the leadership of Dexter Rosen as Club President. The ASC took part in the First Annual Town of Amherst Championship and later that season, competitors from the Club entered the Greater Buffalo Interclub Competition. Also that year, the Club produced its first major production under the direction of Mrs. Frances Duroure. The familiar emblem of the ASC depicting a skater on a shield bearing the name and initials of the Club was adopted in June of 1968. The First edition of the "Ice Facts" was printed and the Progress Trophy was initiated. This award continues to be awarded each year to a skater who has shown concentrated effort, commendable figure and dance tests, high placement in competition and sportsman-like conduct.
During the 1969-70 season, the ASC hosted its first Greater Buffalo Interclub Competition and early in 1970, the Junior Board was formed because of the tremendous interest that was shown among the young people of our Club.
The 1971-72 season was marked by great expansion as the Club was asked to administer the entire skating program, including the Amherst Town Classes. In January of 1972, the ASC held an Ice Show as part of the Winter Carnival and the Clearfield Rink opened October 6, 1972.
The highlight of the 1973-74 season was our hosting the North Atlantic Figure Skating Championships at both rinks.
In 1986-87 the ASC hosted its very first Amherst Invitational Competition which drew skaters from Pennsylvania to Toronto. This competition has been an annual event for the Club.
In January 1989, there was "standing room only" at the ASC Ice Show and in April, Olympic Gold Medalist Robin Cousins put on a three day clinic for our skaters. The next few years brought many other internationally known skaters to various club events and seminars, including John Curry, Peter and Kitty Carruthers, Scott Hamilton and the Stars on Ice Cast along with Brian Orser, Rob McCall and Tracy Wilson. Members of the ASC skated with Olympic Gold medalist Brian Boitano in a production entitled "Me & My Shadow" during the opening festivities at the Marine Midland Arena in September, 1996.
In the fall of 1997, ASC again hosted the North Atlantic Figure Skating Championship, which was held at Niagara University. Our two well used rinks in Amherst, had been in need of repair. ASC and other ice user groups collaborated with Amherst Town Board and the decision was made to build a new four rink facility at the site of the old Audubon Rink.
In September of 1998, the ASC moved into the Amherst Pepsi Center, one of the largest ice and recreational complexes in the US. Club skaters had the opportunity to skate with Brian Orser at the center's gala opening ceremonies.
ASC proudly hosted the 2000 Junior National Figure Skating Championships and the 2001, 2005 and 2008 North Atlantic Regional Championships.
ASC is constantly growing and changing to meet the needs of our figure skating community. Two of our rinks are in operation during the spring and summer, adding continuity to our programs. New and exciting programs are offered, including Synchronized Skating, power skating, off-ice conditioning, and ballet classes to enhance athlete performance. Looking to the future, we will make every effort to continue to function as a dynamic and productive figure skating club.
Club Bylaws
Download our latest Club Bylaws and Member's Handbook by clicking the links shown here.
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