NORWOOD, Mass. — The Skating Club of Boston has a rich history intertwined with the evolution of American figure skating, both during moments of triumph and periods of grief. For over a hundred years, this prestigious club has been the springboard for countless Olympic medalists and world champions while also nurturing novice skaters who are just beginning to explore the sport.
This week proved particularly tragic for the skating community as the club faced profound sorrow. On Wednesday night, a plane carrying two teenage skaters, their mothers, and two coaches from the Skating Club of Boston tragically collided with an Army helicopter during their return from a national development camp in Wichita, Kansas. The aircraft crashed into the chilling waters of the Potomac River, claiming the lives of all on board. Compounding the loss, the skating world was informed that distinguished alumnus Dick Button, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and namesake of the club’s trophy room, had passed away at the age of 95.
“This is a club of excellence that has thrived for more than a century,” remarked Paul George, a former vice president of the U.S. Olympic Committee who trained at the club while working toward his 1962 pairs championship. “We have nurtured countless skilled skaters, and I believe we will continue to do so.”
The Skating Club of Boston, formed in 1912, is the third-oldest skating club in America and a founding member of U.S. Figure Skating. It began on a frozen pond at Chestnut Hill before becoming established at the Boston Arena until obtaining its own facility in 1938. That building along the Charles River became an integral part of American figure skating history, training not just Button, but also other champions like Tenley Albright, Nancy Kerrigan, and Paul Wylie, among many U.S. champions.
Moreover, the club was the home to a significant portion of the American figure skating team that tragically perished in a plane crash while traveling to the 1961 World Championships in Prague. “The day the music stopped really resonates with us now,” George reflected during a press conference held in the rink, alongside Albright and Kerrigan. “Though it took time, we recovered—perhaps even stronger for it.” Albright recalled losing 22 friends and a coach in that devastating crash, mentioning that she had intended to accompany the group but was preoccupied with her studies in her final year at Harvard Medical School. The impact of the 1961 disaster left a significant void in the organization, which lingered for years. “Losing coaches like this means losing the future of the sport,” Zeghibe, the club’s CEO, stated. “It has taken a long time to rebuild, and I believe that after almost 60 years, this club is just beginning to emerge from the shadow of that tragedy.” The club relocated in 2020 to a modern facility featuring three ice rinks, yet it continues to honor its rich history in every space. One wall inside the main rink, known as the Tenley E. Albright Performance Center, showcases a timeline filled with black-and-white photographs that depict the sport’s progression from early outdoor events to the spectacular quad jumps and flamboyant outfits of today. Lists commemorating Olympians and champions who trained there are displayed prominently across the rink. A library, often utilized by younger skaters for remote schooling, leads into a trophy room named after Button, filled to the brim with various skating memorabilia, including medals, costumes, programs, and posters. “Our club takes great pride in its legacy, not only for Olympic champions and leaders in U.S. Figure Skating but also its commitment to the sport’s future,” Zeghibe asserted. “While we honor our roots with this new facility, we are also focused on progression. The lives lost were an essential part of our forward-moving journey.” In the aftermath of the tragedy, flowers began to accumulate in the club’s lobby, as members and families came together to offer support and comfort. A table that initially welcomed skaters heading to Wichita was replaced with a memorial featuring candles and white roses for each victim of the accident. On that somber Thursday, Kerrigan and Albright visited the club to connect with others during this challenging time. “You don’t have to know everyone to feel a bond here,” Kerrigan said, her voice tinged with emotion. “We share a journey of rigorous training, of falling down and getting back up. The most important lesson in skating is perseverance—no matter the struggle, we must continue to rise and move forward. It may be challenging, but that is our collective path now.”
