Ron Ludington named to World Figure Skating Hall of Fame

Former Olympian Ron Ludington, Ice Skating Science Development Center, has been named to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, UD President David P. Roselle announced Friday, May 14.

Ludington, a World and Olympic figure skating coach, is one of only two worldwide and the only U.S. selection to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame this year.

Established in 1976, the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame honors those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of figure skating around the world. Election to this elite group is decided by an international committee of 23 judges, and requires a consensus among at least two-thirds.

Ludington has coached skaters in nine consecutive Olympics and 36 World Championships. He holds several skating titles himself: U.S. Pair Champion (1956-60); U.S. Silver Dance Champion (1958); World Bronze Medalist (1959); Olympic Bronze Medalist (1960) and World Invitational Dance Champion (1965).

"What pleases me most about today's announcement is that it is celebration of one who leads by example," Roselle said. "Ron reached the heights of his profession and then turned his talent and experience toward helping others reach their dreams.

"We, obviously, are interested in outstanding teachers at UD, and what better definition of a teacher could there be than taking what you've learned and using it to motivate and inspire others to succeed? The list of skaters who have trained with Ron is testament to the quality of that teaching and learning experience," Roselle said.

"If you ever have occasion to visit Ron Ludington's office, you'll see an impressive collection of memorabilia." Roselle continued. "What strikes a visitor when entering Ron's office is that-with all his medals and honors and accolades--the item that is most prominently displayed is a photograph. And, it's not a photo of Ron on the ice or of Ron being awarded a medal or receiving congratulations. It is a photo of his coach and mentor, the late Maribel Vinson. That is a particularly poignant tribute from a man, who himself is held in high esteem as a mentor for so many others."

For his part, Ludington said he expressed "disbelief" when he received the letter telling him of his induction. Just to make sure, he said he had his wife, Karen Ludington, search the web for the World Hall of Fame and a list of its members.

"When she pulled off the names of those who had already been inducted into the Hall of Fame, I realized for the first time the magnificence of what had taken place. There was the name of Jackson Haines, inventor of the sit spin, the first person to skate to music, the man who started figure skating. There were all the coaches-people I had just idolized. I had a lot of trouble trying to figure out why I had gotten in the Hall of Fame."

Addressing the young skaters who train at UD and who had gathered to hear the announcement, Ludington said, "We all have our dreams. You have your dreams. Never quit. Go for those dreams."

Ludington has been director of the Ice Skating Science Development Center at UD since 1987 and has helped it grow from an instructional and recreational facility for students and the community to an internationally recognized center of excellence--training some of the world's champion figure and ice dance skaters.

In 1990, Ludington was named Coach of the Year by the Professional Skaters Guild of America, and he was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1993. He also earned the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995.

He was instrumental in developing the Professional Education Program/Coaches Accreditation Program at UD's Ice Skating Science Development Center-the training facility chosen by Gold Medalist Oksana Baiul and many other Olympians. Ludington also is master-rated by the PSA in the categories of Figures and Freestyle, Dance/Free Dance and Pairs.

Among past honorees to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame are Sonja Henie of Norway, Willie Frick of Germany, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean of Great Britain and Kristi Yamaguchi of the United States. For 1999, the honorees are Ludington and the late Gladys Hogg of Great Britain.

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