Skate for Coach Darin Hosier

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The skating world came together last week in a beautiful way to honor and support one of its own, coach Darin Hosier. Darin is fighting stage four colon cancer and his friends created the Darin Hosier Foundation to raise money for his treatment, putting on a star-studded skating spectacular, Skate for Coach Darin Hosier.  It was such an emotional show. As I heard one audience member say, the show was wonderful, but the reason for the show was so difficult.

National and international skaters joined locals in giving their time and energy to make Darin’s show a success. Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi announced. Olympic silver medalist Ben Agosto and national champions Rachel Flatt and Michael Weiss joined Darin’s students, past and present, and groups of skaters from local clubs. Darin’s partner played the piano while one of Darin’s top students skated.

Rachel Flatt floated through deep spread eagles in a white skating dress and skated a cool illusion spin in a later, outgoing program that she skated in sparkly turquoise. Ben Agosto, as a janitor with big dreams, danced with amazing energy and charisma with a broom as his partner. Michael Weiss entertained in two numbers with big jumps and his trademark backflip. As a young skater, Michael, a student of the same coach as Darin, looked up to and admired his skating. The show closed with a touching and serene group number, with the skaters, in sweet, ethereal light blue dresses, carrying colored globes to represent their care for people they have loved and now carry in the light.

I’m proud of both our local and national skating community for putting this on. Darin is a wonderful person and he deserves every bit of the energy coming his way. I wish him the best and hope so much that he can beat this cancer.

 After the show the skaters and Darin generously stayed to meet and greet and to sign autographs. Desserts and a silent auction rounded out the night. I hope that memories of the camaraderie, fun, and well wishes of the evening will help Darin through the next, intensive phase of his cancer fight. Edit: Almost 10 years later Darin is still coaching figure skating. I’m so grateful!

 Another article about the Skate for Coach show is here on icenetwork.