Frances Dafoe and Norris Bowden Athlete Canadian Senior Pairs champions from 1952-55, 7 time Canadian champions in Dance, Waltz and Ten-Step and two time North American Pairs champions this outstanding team earned Canada a reputation of excellence for others to follow. World silver medallists in 1953, their gold medal performances at the 1954 and 1955 World Championships earned them the distinction of being the first Canadian Pair ever to win a World crown. World and Olympic silver medallists in 1956, they retired from competition that year. They remained actively involved in skating for many years both serving as international level judges and Norris as the 1984 Olympic Team Manager and Frances as a costume designer. Barbara Wagner and Robert Paul Athlete Claiming the Canadian Senior Pairs title in 1956, this team from the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club would go on to dominate pairs skating throughout the world for the next four years. Undefeated Canadian champions from 1956-60, they claimed two North American titles and were World Champions from 1957-60. Their electrifying performance at the 1960 Olympic Games in Squaw Valley resulted in first place marks from all judges and earned them the distinction of becoming the first North American pair ever to win an Olympic gold medal. Retiring from amateur competition in 1960, they went on to skate professionally for the next five years. Gustave Lussi Coach Known by many as 'The Father of Modern Free Skating' this native of Switzerland began teaching at the Toronto Figure Skating Club during the 1920s. Moving to the Olympic Arena Figure Skating Club of Lake Placid in the 1940s he was still giving instruction at the age of 94. His seventy years of dedication to the sport resulted in the creation of not only world champions, but new and innovative elements and techniques. A pioneer in both spinning and jumps, he was one of the first coaches to combine interpretive programs, choreography and music. Amongst the Canadian skaters who learned from this master were Constance and Montgomery Wilson, Barbara Ann Scott, Suzanne Morrow, Donald Jackson and Maria and Otto Jelinek. Charles Cumming Builder Joining the CFSA in 1945 representing the Minto Club, this Ottawa native was responsible for much of the growth which took place in the Association during the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the CFSA in 1948 he inherited a bank account of $2,000 and the responsibility of administrating 49 clubs spread across the country. During his tenure membership grew, summer schools came into operation, sections were formed and a revamped test structure including the development of a centralized system for tests was introduced. His twenty-five years of service resulted in the creation of the solid foundation upon which the CFSA has been built. Nigel Stephens Official First getting involved with the sport of figure skating as a young skater at the Minto Club during the 1930s, Nigel's contribution to the sport spanned five decades and included success as an athlete, builder and official. Following his competitive career which included the 1943 Canadian junior title and the 1945 Canadian senior crown, Nigel turned to judging and contributed his talents to the development of the CFSA. For more than 30 years he judged at national and international competitions and was named an Honorary Judge in 1974. Joining the CFSA executive in 1950, he served as President from 1961-63 and as Chairman of numerous committees being named an Honorary Member in 1968.
Athlete
Canadian Senior Pairs champions from 1952-55, 7 time Canadian champions in Dance, Waltz and Ten-Step and two time North American Pairs champions this outstanding team earned Canada a reputation of excellence for others to follow. World silver medallists in 1953, their gold medal performances at the 1954 and 1955 World Championships earned them the distinction of being the first Canadian Pair ever to win a World crown. World and Olympic silver medallists in 1956, they retired from competition that year. They remained actively involved in skating for many years both serving as international level judges and Norris as the 1984 Olympic Team Manager and Frances as a costume designer.
Claiming the Canadian Senior Pairs title in 1956, this team from the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club would go on to dominate pairs skating throughout the world for the next four years. Undefeated Canadian champions from 1956-60, they claimed two North American titles and were World Champions from 1957-60. Their electrifying performance at the 1960 Olympic Games in Squaw Valley resulted in first place marks from all judges and earned them the distinction of becoming the first North American pair ever to win an Olympic gold medal. Retiring from amateur competition in 1960, they went on to skate professionally for the next five years.
Coach
Known by many as 'The Father of Modern Free Skating' this native of Switzerland began teaching at the Toronto Figure Skating Club during the 1920s. Moving to the Olympic Arena Figure Skating Club of Lake Placid in the 1940s he was still giving instruction at the age of 94. His seventy years of dedication to the sport resulted in the creation of not only world champions, but new and innovative elements and techniques. A pioneer in both spinning and jumps, he was one of the first coaches to combine interpretive programs, choreography and music. Amongst the Canadian skaters who learned from this master were Constance and Montgomery Wilson, Barbara Ann Scott, Suzanne Morrow, Donald Jackson and Maria and Otto Jelinek.
Builder
Joining the CFSA in 1945 representing the Minto Club, this Ottawa native was responsible for much of the growth which took place in the Association during the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the CFSA in 1948 he inherited a bank account of $2,000 and the responsibility of administrating 49 clubs spread across the country. During his tenure membership grew, summer schools came into operation, sections were formed and a revamped test structure including the development of a centralized system for tests was introduced. His twenty-five years of service resulted in the creation of the solid foundation upon which the CFSA has been built.
Official
First getting involved with the sport of figure skating as a young skater at the Minto Club during the 1930s, Nigel's contribution to the sport spanned five decades and included success as an athlete, builder and official. Following his competitive career which included the 1943 Canadian junior title and the 1945 Canadian senior crown, Nigel turned to judging and contributed his talents to the development of the CFSA. For more than 30 years he judged at national and international competitions and was named an Honorary Judge in 1974. Joining the CFSA executive in 1950, he served as President from 1961-63 and as Chairman of numerous committees being named an Honorary Member in 1968.