Searching for my old coach

[SonicBlu]

HI All! When I was a kid, I skated in Colorado. I really enjoyed the sport, but because of family issues, I had to stop skating. Anyway, I feel that a lot that I have in my life is because of skating. My best friend of 15 years, being one of those things. She and I had the same coach and that is how we met. She and I have been searching for the coach that we had so many years ago. The rink where we skated closed a while ago and we can't seem to find her now. Everywhere we go, they have heard of her, but don't know where she is coaching. So, if anyone out there can help me find my old coach, it would be much appreciated. She is rather distinctive wherever she goes as she is loud and well known for being such. Her name is Di Austin. The last I heard, she was coaching out of the Denver area. That may be the case now, but I don't know. If anyone knows where her rink is, my best friend and I would be very grateful if you would share that info.

Thanks!

Sonic

[sk8tegirl06]

I have no information for you, but I wanted to wish you luck in your search. I actually found my old coach after about 6-7 year break, so it is possible. Keep looking!

[Query]

For what it is worth, I think ISI, USFSA and PSA all provide ways of finding information about a given instructor. The purpose is partly so you can check their ratings, but it might provide contact info.

For ISI and USFSA you may have to belong to sign in.

I haven't looked at this for a while, but the organizational web pages may help:

http://www.usfigureskating.org
http://www.skateisi.com
http://www.skatepsa.com

If they haven't changed, the USFSA sells a "directory" which I think includes instructor contact info, often as part of the rulebook. See if you can find someone has the rulebook+directory.

You could also try searching at yahoo.com for the coach's name and skating - i.e. for
"john smith" skating

[renatele]

Query: the directories! Why didn't I think of them?

PSA directory lists a "Austin, Dy H. Lussi" in Colorado. I don't know the rink, but there's other info listed, maybe it's still current ;)

PMing you.

[flippet]

Ah. With the proper name spelling, it's easier to get Google results. :)


I found an article about Dy Austin volunteering with a inner-city type program at Foothills Ice Arena. (http://www.foothillsicearena.com/underconstruction.htm) If she's not actually affiliated with that rink, they might know where she is. Try there.

A message board post from 2003 also mentioned some skaters taking from her in Denver.

[Query]

Yahoo can find her too - a link mentioning Dy Austin of the Alpine Skating Club - in Colorado, from year 2006!

http://homepage.mac.com/jzeles/alpine/Membership/membershipforms/files/Alpine%20Membership%20App.%2006.pdf

It lists the club at

http://www.alpinesc.org

whose membership chair, Renee Honda, phone (303) 791-3417, might help you.

Good luck.

I hope the search was legit, and I haven't just helped someone find someone who wanted to stay hidden.

[SonicBlu]

Thank you all! You have been most helpful. I assure you that I mean well in my search. When she coached me, I was easily intimidated and very quiet. She taught me to speak up for myself and to not be intimidated by anything. I attribute a lot of my awesome qualities to her teachings.