Ron Pfenning Receives Prestigious Judges Award

The Professional Skaters Association honored World Skating Federation Acting President Ron Pfenning by presenting him their coveted 2003 Distinguished Judge of the Year Award on May 21, 2003. Carole Shulman, Executive Director of the Professional Skaters Association, said, "There are many dedicated judges around the world and within that group there are those who stand out because of their generous gift of time, their nurturing, their caring attitude and their fair decisions. They go that extra mile over and over again." The award was a complete surprise to Pfenning and he thanked the PSA with great emotion, "I am so honored that my work has been appreciated by such an important member of the skating family." Pfenning joins other award-winning luminaries: Benjamin Wright, Virginia LeFevre, Oscar Iobst, Janet Allen, Mary Louise Wright, Joan Gruber and Bill Fitzpatrick.

The 65th Anniversary of the PSA Conference was held in Stamford, CT with over 600 skating professionals and coaches in attendance for the gala anniversary celebration. Pfenning was also a featured speaker and briefed the packed audience on all aspects of the World Skating Federation including details of governance, judging appointments and assignments, competitions, Championships and professional events. The attendees were pleased to hear the fascinating history and the accurate facts about the WSF, and greeted the presentation of the principles of the WSF with loud and spirited applause. They responded similarly to the exhortation for everyone to stand up against fear and intimidation in our sport.

Following his prepared remarks, Pfenning received many compliments and words of encouragement. The World Skating Federation thanks Carole Shulman and the PSA Board of Directors for the opportunity for Ron Pfenning to speak.

Congratulations are also in order for two of the World Skating Federation's most dynamic supporters. Kathy Casey was returned to the PSA Board of Directors and Paul Wylie received the Gustave Lussi Award. Wylie also performed in the "Kiss My Ice" show along with Richard Dwyer and scores of other great skaters representing 65 years of PSA Figure Skating.

For more information and details on the 65th Anniversary of the PSA, please go to www.skatepsa.com.