About the Foundation

The Professional Skaters Foundation (PSF) was founded to expand the educational opportunities of PSA members through a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable foundation. The trustees of the PSF have developed several scholarship programs for its members through a selection process based on established guidelines and criteria, and the Skaters’ Fund assists all coaches and performing skaters who need financial assistance due to sickness, disability or age.

All contributions to the Foundation are subject to IRS rules regarding eligibility requirements. Your generous gift may be 100% tax deductible provided that you have not received any goods or services in consideration for your contribution.

The Skaters' Fund

Founded by Coach Charles Fetter in 1998, The Skaters Fund assists all coaches and performing skaters who need financial assistance due to natural disaster, sickness, disability, or problems due to aging. Since its inception, The Skaters Fund has awarded over $248,000 in assistance to over 80 recipients. Charles Fetter passed in August of 2014 following a 12-year battle with cancer. Among his final wishes was that the Skaters Fund become a part of the PS Foundation and continue to provide assistance to coaches and performing skaters in need. His wishes became a reality when the fund was formally turned over to the PS Foundation at a ceremony at the 2015 Conference and Trade Show by his widow, Sandy Fetter.

**Only digital applications can be accepted at this time. Please send to PatrickHONeil@aol.com

Scholarships

The David Shulman Leadership Scholarship

The PS Foundation is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing Mr. David Shulman as a key “builder” for the Professional Skaters Association as he served in many capacities for over 58 years. Mr. Shulman was a competitive skater, a volunteer, committee chair, PSA president, and general counsel for the PSA. The David Shulman Leadership Scholarship provides an opportunity for a PSA coach to develop leadership skills with the goal of enhancing PSA’s leadership depth.

The Walter and Irene Muehlbronner Scholarship

The Walter and Irene Muehlbronner Scholarship is available to PSA members for attendance at PSA education programs such as Ratings Prep, Seminars, Clinics, or the International Summit. Scholarships are intended for the reimbursement of associated fees to attend PSA education programs. Up to four scholarships are awarded annually of up to $1000 each. 

The Don Laws Apprentice Scholarship

Presented by the Professional Skaters Association in cooperation with Shattuck St. Mary’s

In memory of Don Laws, the Trustees of the Professional Skaters Foundation are proud to offer the Don Laws Apprentice Scholarship. PSF offers merit-based apprentice scholarships, each intended for the reimbursement of direct expenses incurred for attending the PSA Apprentice development program at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, MN. Direct expenses include travel to the program site, lodging, and meals. Awards are based on dedication to coaching, sound character, and ethical practices.

Mr. Laws — a former U.S. Junior Mens Champion, U.S. Junior Dance Champion, and World Team member — was the coach of 1984 Olympic Gold medalist Scott Hamilton and three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss. He was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame both as a skater and as a coach in 2001. A Past President of the PSA, he was also a Life- time Achievement Honorary Member of the PSA.

U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships

The U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships is presented by the Professional Skaters Association.

The objective of the championship strives to promote professional figure skating as an athletic as well as an artistic event.  It provides quality, wholesome entertainment for the entire family. While other professional competitions include skaters by invitation only, the U.S. Open gives all professional skaters a chance to perform and compete. It has provided a platform for many skaters to showcase their talent and advance their careers.

History of the US Open

The U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships was sponsored by the Professional Skaters Guild of America, the precursor of the PSA. The first event was held in Philadelphia, PA, February 21-22, 1981 and featured some of the top skaters of the time—reigning World Professional Champion Scott Cramer, Stacey Smith & John Summers, and Sheryl Franks & Michael Botticelli. The top three finishers represented the U.S. at the World Professional Championships in Jaca, Spain.

The U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships was first shown on ESPN in 1988 and continued on until 1995 on CBS, USA, and TBS. In 1995, when the ISU introduced the ISU Champions Series—which would later change its name to the Grand Prix of Figure Skating—it was a severe blow to the long established pro competitions like the U.S. Open, the World Professional Ice Skating Championships, and a popular skating event from Candid Productions, The World Professional Championships.

In 2015, the Professional Skaters Association revived the U.S Open Professional Championships with spectacular performances at the Bloomington Ice Garden in Bloomington, Minnesota. Rallying around creativity, the new U.S. Open format attracts this generation’s stars and unknown stars…grassroots to Olympian collection of expressive performers who seek to invigorate fans, skaters, and PSA members through a platform that celebrates innovation and entertainment. Proceeds from the U.S. Open help support the PS Foundation, which was established to expand the educational opportunities of PSA membership and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable foundation.

2022 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championship

Grand Champion
Kseniya Ponomaryova & Collin Brubaker

Creative Visionary Award
Harmony Theatre Group

The Skater’s Skater Award
Ashlee Pantano

Ground Breaker Award
Morgan Johnson & Jessie Santee

2021 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championship

Grand Champion
Alissa Czisny

Creative Visionary Award
Harmony Ensemble: Paige Bartholomew, Piercyn Hunt, Alyssa Kormos, Ashlyn Olson, and Ashlee Pantano

The Skater’s Skater Award
Kseniya Ponomaryova & Collin Brubaker

Ground Breaker Award
Maria Starr & Sarah Santee

2020 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championship

Event canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

2019 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championship

Grand Champion
Alissa Czisny

Creative Visionary Award
Themistocles Leftheris

The Skater’s Skater Award
Jonathan Cassar

Ground Breaker Award
”Trick & Track” Ryan Santee & Kyle Shropshire

2018 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championship

Grand Champion
Jonathan Cassar 

Creative Visionary Award
Jason Graetz

The Skater’s Skater Award
Rohene Ward

Ground Breaker Award
Piercyn Hunt

2017 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championship

Grand Champion
Jonathan Cassar  

Creative Visionary Award
Cordero Zuckerman

The Skater’s Skater Award
Kristen Nardozzi & Nick Traxler

Ground Breaker Award
Garrett Kling

2016 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championship

Grand Champion
Rohene Ward  

Creative Visionary Award
Stephanie Chace Bass & Ashley Clark

The Skater’s Skater Award
Jonathan Cassar

Ground Breaker Award
Mauro Bruni

2015 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championship

Grand Champion
Jodeyne Higgins & Sean Rice

Creative Visionary Award
Ice Cold Combos: Adam Blake, Taylor Blair, Shannon Brakke, Kate Charbonneau, Sarah Santee and Kyle Shropshire

The Skater’s Skater Award
Ryan Jahnke

Ground Breaker Award
Jonathan Cassar

The Olivia Clark Foundation Luminary Award
Ryan Jahnke

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Officers, Board Members, and Trustees

President
Patrick O’Neil

Vice President
Carol Murphy

Secretary
Gerry Lane

Treasurer
Scott McCoy

Board Members
Paul Wylie
Tim Covington
Carol Rossignol
Jill Maier-Collins
Kelley Morris-Adair

Trustees
Willy Bietak
Moira North
Richard Dwyer
Curtis McGraw Webster
Wayne Seybold
Robbie Kaine