I'm a sports fan and I'm always amazed how the addition of a new coach brings excitement and vitality to a team. That's what's happening with the Meadville Figure Skating Club. The revitalization of the figure skating club began in August of last year with the hiring of Daniel Smith. I’m visiting with Daniel on the ice at the Meadville Area Recreation Complex. (MARC) Daniel began skating at the MARC as a kid in the early 1980's.

"I remember coming to the rink with friends of my parents at the age of 11,” he says. “Directly behind me in the corner of the rink is where I had learned to skate backwards."

By age 16, Daniel was competing on a national level. He retired from amateur competition and attended Allegheny College a few years later. He then went into coaching.

"One of my greatest triumphs is I had three consecutive silver medalists at the U.S. National Collegiate Championships,” he says.

17 years ago, after a glorious career, Daniel left skating all together. Not once did he step onto the ice until August of last year. He had recently moved back to Meadville to be close to his parents after living in Chautauqua County. He was asked to be the coach of the Meadville Figure Skating Club. Daniel's old club needed help. Its membership had dwindled down to 5 girls. There was no hesitation. He accepted.

"Honestly, there was no choice,” he says. “They told me if something like this didn't happen there was a high likelihood that figure skating would die out in Meadville and probably never return. So, knowing that, it was an easy decision to make."

Daniel is back on the ice. News spread that Meadville's greatest ice skater is now the coach at the local rink. Since August, the figure skating club has grown to over 20 members, including some boys. There's some older folks too. Daniel's goal is to double the size of the club each year for the next three years. Everyone is invited to join. Even if, like Daniel, you haven't put on ice skates for 17 years.

"It is a difficult sport but it's a sport that once into it, it's hard to get out,” he says with a laugh.

Coach Smith is always looking for new members. He’ll coach anyone from elementary school age to those who are retired. Anyone who wishes to join the club should contact the MARC for information. Daniel says not all members want to participate in competitions. Some join just to get some exercise and to have fun.