College degrees for figure skating?

Question

I am a freshman in high school and want to be a figure skating coach when I get older. I also want a degree with something that has to do with skating. I have heard about sports science but is there anything else? And any tips on how to get into this proffesion? I already know there isn't something just for skating but anything somewhat to do with it or that will help?

Answer 1

I've been coached over the years by several russian coaches and most of them had college degrees in sports management, just to show how common it is for more serious coaches to have a university degree.

However, skating coaches don't really need any specific degree to coach. You could have an MD degree and coach (which would come in handy because you'd know how to avoid injuries to your students). It's more important to be a good coach, that is objective with the dream and real possibilities with your students, that you don't get a pet student and ignore the rest on purpose and have patience teaching.

Consider getting a college degree that will give you something to eat later on if you stop coaching for x reason. A degree in the arts isn't too bad either since skating is in essence a sort of art mixed with sport.

Answer 2

Sports management is a good choice.  You could also look at physical therapy if you want to work with recovery.  There is also sports psychology, which is more about counseling.  As you probably know, you don't have to have a college degree to be a coach, but it's great that you're thinking about it.  If you get a degree in something related to sports but broader than figure skating alone (any of the one's I've suggested here), it will make you more marketable as a coach and open up your options if you aren't able to make enough money as a coach alone.  Another option, however, is just to continue to be involved with skating to keep up your experience but to study something totally different in college -- something you're really just interested in.  Having life experience and knowledge will always help you with coaching!  Good luck!

Oh - another idea -- education and/or physical education!

Answer 3

Sports manegment

sports medicine perhaps as a trainer for olympics skater