Frank Carroll, a legendary figure skating coach known for his remarkable career spanning 60 years, passed away at the age of 85. Carroll, who mentored six Olympic medalists across 10 Winter Games, including iconic skaters like Michelle Kwan and Evan Lysacek, succumbed to cancer on Sunday.
Carroll, with his sharp wit and humor, played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of American figure skating stars such as Kwan, Lysacek, and Linda Fratianne. His influence extended beyond the ice rink, touching the lives of skaters and parents alike.
Born on July 11, 1938, in Worcester, Massachusetts, Carroll's passion for skating was ignited by two-time Olympic champion Dick Button. He later honed his skills under the guidance of Maribel Vinson-Owen, a former world medalist and Olympic bronze medalist.
Carroll transitioned from a competitive skater to a coach, nurturing talents like Mark Cockerell and Fratianne before propelling Kwan to stardom. Kwan's five world championships and Olympic medals solidified Carroll's coaching legacy.
Notable skaters like Tim Goebel, Gracie Gold, and Denis Ten also found success under Carroll's tutelage. However, it was Lysacek's gold medal-winning performance at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics that showcased Carroll's coaching prowess.
Lysacek, acknowledging Carroll's pivotal role in his triumph, honored him with the Order of Ikkos medal. Carroll's contributions to figure skating were further recognized with inductions into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1996 and the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2007.
Details regarding Carroll's funeral arrangements were not immediately available. Those wishing to pay tribute to Carroll's legacy can make donations to the Memorial Fund, established in memory of the 1961 plane crash that claimed the lives of the entire U.S. figure skating team.
Frank Carroll's impact on the figure skating world and the lives he touched will be remembered for generations to come.
