Prospective Skaters

Why Join? 

Take a break from the stress of college academics and stay active throughout your time at Michigan! Our U-M collegiate figure skating team will allow you to continue the sport you love while receiving a world-class education!

With a growing team of nearly 70 U-M skaters, the University of Michigan skating team is a warm and welcoming organization for skaters across all majors to gather together. Teammates of the UMFSC often become each other's closest friends, roommates, and study buddies!

I'm a prospective member... what can I do?

FAQs

Are there any requirements to join UMFSC?
All UMFSC team members must be current, registered members of U.S. Figure Skating in order to be eligible to compete. UMFSC welcomes all levels of USFS skaters!

Scroll down for information on USFS Collegiate Memberships.


When and how often are UMFSC practices?

Our practices are currently scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons at Yost Ice Arena. Practices are not mandatory but attendance records are used to help determine which skaters to send out at competitions. (Each collegiate team is allowed a limited number of competitive events.)


How do UMFSC skaters get to practice?

For many of our skaters, the walk to Yost Ice Arena is a lengthy one because of its location on the south side of campus. To help out with this, many skaters with personal vehicles kindly offer to drive teammates to our Yost practices. At the start of the school year, the UMFSC leadership will help arrange carpools.


I want to practice more than three times a week... how can I make that happen?

About a 15 minute drive from U-M's central campus is the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, the public ice rink of Ann Arbor. Many of our UMFSC skaters bus or drive to the Ice Cube's practice sessions for additional practice time.


Does UMFSC have opportunities for USFS testing?

UMFSC does not provide USFS testing opportunities, but many skaters take advantage of the ice time, coaches, and testing sessions offered at nearby rinks, including the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.


How much does being a member of UMFSC cost?
Dues are currently set at an annual payment of $1,000 per person. However, the specifics of each team member's financial obligation is assessed and determined by the UMFSC Executive Board each year and assistance is often available.

What do UMFSC dues cover?

Note: U-M skating apparel costs (team Lulu jacket (~$90), team Nike shirt (~$35), team Lulu skirt (~$40)) are not covered in club dues and will be an additional expense for all new members.


What are UMFSC active member requirements?


Do I have to compete at the intercollegiate competitions to join UMFSC?

UMFSC offers skaters the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the University of Michigan at U.S. Figure Skating intercollegiate competitions! We therefore encourage all team members to participate in at least one to two competitions per year.

If, however, the requirement to participate in competitions is holding you back as a prospective member, please reach out (mfigureskating@umich.edu) to talk with us about your interest in our team! For somewhat experienced skaters with a strong desire to join our team as a practice-only member, we do try our best to be accommodating :)


Is it possible to be a part of the U-M Synchronized Skating Team (UMSST) as well as UMFSC?

As you can imagine, joining both teams will be a large time commitment in your college life, but YES it is possible! UMSST and UMFSC have different Yost practice times and joining both can be a great way to get more ice time, participate in different types of skating, and meet lots of new people!

For more information on the synchro team, please visit the Michigan Synchro webpage.

USFS Collegiate Membership Info:

(taken directly from USFS Collegiate Skating Website)

U.S. Figure Skating offers a special four-year membership for collegiate skaters. Available for purchase through your home club for $70 ― a 66 percent discount from a full four-year membership, collegiate memberships carry the same privileges as a full membership, including a subscription to SKATING magazine, testing and competition privileges.  


Four-year Collegiate Membership
This four-year full membership is available to college-aged members at a reduced rate, and all skating privileges apply for the four-year duration. Collegiate members can purchase this membership through any club for $70 or individually through U.S. Figure Skating for $170. Each athlete may only use this option once during their skating career.