Regarding the new Michelle Kwan trophy

[manleywoman]

From the USFSA web site:

Kwan was shocked and honored to learn that the trophy handed out every year as part of SKATING magazine's Readers' Choice Award for Skater of the Year will be called the Michelle Kwan Trophy. Although Kwan may continue to be an eligible skater, she will no longer be eligible for the Readers' Choice Award for Skater of the Year. She has proven she is the fans' all-time favorite.

Interesting she'd no longer be eligible to win this award now. On the one hand, it gives other skaters a chance to win it, and she has won it enough. But on the other hand, how are they going to word the nomination ballots?..."Please vote for your favorite skater, unless it's Michelle Kwan." ??:?: :?:

[Debbie S]

Maybe the USFSA's adopted a policy where previous winners of the award are ineligible - the Sullivan Award, for one, has the same rule. Perhaps on future ballots, they'll list the previous winners with a note that past winners are not eligible. Of the skaters currently competing (Oly-eligible), the rule would only apply to MK and Michael Weiss, since they're the only previous winners who are still competing.

[AshBugg44]

I personally think it's a good idea. And yeah, they will probably just make a note that past winners are not eligible. These include blah blah blah...

[HSF]

When I first read about the name change I thought it was a nice tribute to Michelle. The name change was probably well intentioned but after reflecting on the situation it creates, I think the timing is wrong. This should not have been done while Michelle is still an eligible skater.

If another lady skater wins it next year, how will she feel about taking home a trophy named "The Michelle Kwan Trophy?" I assume the winner will have been competing against Michelle all season and trying to beat her.

That wouldn't be a factor if Michelle had retired or gone pro . . . just seems a little akward to me. LOL

HSF

[duane]

Originally posted by HSF
I think the timing is wrong. This should not have been done while Michelle is still an eligible skater.

If another lady skater wins it next year, how will she feel about taking home a trophy named "The Michelle Kwan Trophy?"

excellent point.

i mean, i just dont see irina, sarah, or sasha jumping for joy in being awarded "The Michelle Kwan Trophy". ;)

[blondeangl]

i think it would have made much more since to keep her eligible for the award and still named it after her or waited to name it after her for a few years ... i mean if there was the option im sure she would win it again

[supersk8er]

Originally posted by HSF
When I first read about the name change I thought it was a nice tribute to Michelle. The name change was probably well intentioned but after reflecting on the situation it creates, I think the timing is wrong. This should not have been done while Michelle is still an eligible skater.

If another lady skater wins it next year, how will she feel about taking home a trophy named "The Michelle Kwan Trophy?" I assume the winner will have been competing against Michelle all season and trying to beat her.

That wouldn't be a factor if Michelle had retired or gone pro . . . just seems a little akward to me. LOL

HSF

TOTALLY! I never really thought about it...But you're completely right.

[Mel On Ice]

I've read other people complain about this, and frankly, I find it ridiculous.

It seems people are assuming Sasha and Sarah are the ones who will be miffed by this. Sarah has stated, a zillion times to the press, that she admires and respects MK. On Saturday night during the video tribute, none other than Sasha Cohen paid tribute to Michelle as well, saying how she looks up to MK and admires all she has done in the sport and for the sport. There, for all the public to see, Sasha PAID TRIBUTE TO MICHELLE KWAN.

Also, Irina would probably be pleased to recieve the award if she were an eligible US skater since she also paid tribute to Michelle in the ceremony.

Finally, I think anyone who recieves this award in the future would be honored to have been chosen by the readers as fan-favorite, whether its called the MK Trophy or not.

[duane]

Originally posted by Mel On Ice
I've read other people complain about this, and frankly, I find it ridiculous.

It seems people are assuming Sasha and Sarah are the ones who will be miffed by this.

well, since i am the only one who mentioned sasha and sarah in this thread, let me reply to this.

as you state, both have stated their admiration for michelle, but that's beside the point. i think one thing many can agree on is that michelle, sarah and sasha are all extremely competitive, and as long as they all remain eligible, they are rivals. to me, the thought of sarah, sasha, or irina receiving a trophy bearing the name of their chief rival does come across as awkward at best. it's like davenport or capriati receiving a "Serena Williams" trophy.

[memememe76]

I would agree. It's like Everybody Loves Raymond winning the Friends trophy for best sitcom.

[JDC1]

I think it depends on how you view Michelle, if you see her as an Icon or just another skater. My guess is most skaters eligible for the award see her as a Icon in part because none of them can match her record. It probably does make more sense to have waited a year but whatever.