Today we’d like to introduce you to Rockne Brubaker.
Rockne, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I great up figure skating and playing hockey here in the Chicagoland area. I ended up pursuing a career in competitive figure skating. I was on the US Figure Team from 2004-2014. During my career, I was able to win 4 National titles, multiple international medals, and was an alternate for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
I retired from skating in the spring of 2014. I was offered the skating directors positions at The Skate School at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, IL. From there, I began to rebuild the skating programs. 4 years later our Learn To Skate Program has tripled in size, we have a highly competitive figure skating program with multiple national champions, and I have begun working closely with hockey players on their power skate and edge work.
None of these would have been possible without the amazing staff. My wife Stefania is the Assistant Director of the program, we have several international coaches, and an amazing Learn To Skate Staff.
Has it been a smooth road?
It most certainly was a challenge. Anyone time you walk into a place and you are the ‘new guy’ there are a lot of unknowns. How would the current staff receive me? Where do I start? How can I make this better? These were just a few of the questions that I began asking myself when I first tooth job. It all came down to team work and organization. I felt that I needed to make small, gradual changes. Most of the coaches that were there before I started are still there coaching. We also have several new coaches. Together we found a direction and made it happen.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I was hired to grow the Learn To Skate ice skating program. I oversee all of the beginning learn to skate figure skating and hockey as well as the competitive figure skating. The thing that is great about our program is that we have a little bit of everything. Many rinks in the US are either more competitive or more recreational. We have both which is great. It really allows for a strong grassroots program, but also gives kids the opportunity to take the competitive route.
I split my time between figure skating and hockey. With figure skating, I like to coach all levels and everything from recreational to competitive. When I work with hockey players I strictly focus on skating skills: power, acceleration, edge work, etc. Being a figure skater, but also having a background in hockey, has allowed me to really connect with the players and expose them to a whole new side of skating.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely!!! Chicago has such a skating-rich history for both figure skating and hockey. There are a ton of rinks, the ponds freeze in the winter :), and some of the best figure skaters and hockey players are connected to this great city.
Pricing:
- All classes start at only $15 per class (We usually run 8 week learn to skate sessions)
Contact Info:
- Address: 1996 S. Kirk Rd
Geneva, IL 60134 - Website: www.theskateschool.com, www.fvia.us
- Phone: (630) 262-0690
- Email: rbrubaker@theskateschool.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fox-Valley-Ice-Arena-111765088858909/
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