mission statement
- The mission of the organization is to encourage instruction, practice and advancements in the discipline of figure skating and to carry out the general policies and objectives of US Figure Skating.
Vision
- Register skaters and supporters of skating as members of the USFS.
- Encourage test and recreational skating.
- Conduct USFS and ISI (Ice Sport Industry) test sessions.
- Prepare skaters for the a range of competitions from recreational through National, International and Olympic levels.
- Sanction shows and exhibitions.
- Recognize the accomplishments of the members.
- Provide opportunities and encouragement for skaters to become judges, coaches and leaders in the sport of figure skating.
- Promote good sportsmanship.
- Maintain excellent relations with our Host facility.
- Lead with innovative ideas as the Center of Excellence in the 21st Century.
About Us
Are you ready to take your skating to the next level?
Are you ready to take your skating to the next level?
Are you ready to take your skating to the next level?
Ice & Blades of Western Pennsylvania is a member organization of US Figure Skating, the national governing body of figure skating in the United States, under the US Olympic Committee.
Ice & Blades of Western Pennsylvania has produced numerous US regional, sectional, national, and international competitors and many US Figure Skating test gold medalists and Ice Sport Industry level 10 gold skaters.
On the Ice!
Are you ready to take your skating to the next level?
Are you ready to take your skating to the next level?
Private lessons from beginner through advanced competitive levels are offered by US Figure Skating, Ice Sport Industry, and Professional Skaters Association certified coaches. Lessons are available on public sessions and figure skating freestyle sessions, with over 30 hours of instructional time each week at Alpha Ice Complex.
Feature Events
Are you ready to take your skating to the next level?
Feature Events
The ISI Golden Blades Championship of Pittsburgh very April at Alpha Ice Complex.
Year-round figure skating programs including summer seminar and winter holiday ice exhibitions.
Ice and Blades of Western Pennsylvania hosts an annual Club/Team celebration picnic and awards day each year at Kennywood Park.
ice &blades coaching staff
Bob Mock Skating Director
Bob Mock Skating Director
Bob Mock Skating Director
412-780-6637
Coach Member: USFS Coach Compliant ISI, PSA, Learn to Skate USA
Certified in Arena Management and Programming, Accredited in the Professional Educator Program, Master Rated in Compulsory Dance and Free Dance, Senior Rating in Group Programming, PSA International Ranking Level 5, ISI Gold Certified.
Past President of PSA and Former US Figure Skating Coaches Committee Chair, USFS Coach Representative to US Olympic Committee Coaches Symposium (93-97).
Coaching through International Test and Competition.
Barbara Gahagen Assistant Skating Director
Bob Mock Skating Director
Bob Mock Skating Director
724-931-7516
Coach Member: USFS Coach Compliant, ISI, PSA
Coaching all levels of Moves in the Field, Free Style and Dance through Gold and Senior Level, Coaching of competitors at regional, sectional, national, and international competitions. PSA Registered and Certified Rating, PSA Level 5 Ranking through International Competition. Professional Education Program, US Figure Skating and ISI Certified Gold. ISI National Recognition-District 2 Merit Award, Westmorland County Sports Coach of the Year, Former Competition Director of Keystone State Games (ISI), Hockey Certification I & II
State Games of America & ISI World Championship Judge.
Jessica Wasik
Bob Mock Skating Director
Jessica Wasik
412-952-3004
Coach Member USFS Coach Compliant Learn to Skate USA ISI PSA
Five-time USFS Gold Medalist (Solo International Dance, Gold Solo Dance, Gold Dance, Senior solo free Dance, Senior Moves in the Field) Canadian Gold Dance, 2008 Eastern Sectional Synchronized Team Skating Championship Open Collegiate Silver Medalist with Robert Morris University.
American Ice Theatre Certified Choreographer Master Choreography Technique Course (fall 2013 semester).United States Olympic Committee SafeSport Certified. American Red Cross First Aid for Coaches Exam.
Heidi Krueger
Paige DiToppa
Jessica Wasik
424-986-4888
PSA Senior Rated Freestyle Coach with over 35 years of experience coaching all levels of Test/Competitive Freestyle and Moves in the Field. She specializes in beginning through advanced jump, spin, and edging techniques. She teaches all ages of skaters from 1st Grade through Adults. She does Off-Ice Jump Technique Training and is certified in the Off-Ice Harness/Vestibular Spinner. Her students have achieved Regional and National Excel Festival podium results from the Pre-Preliminary through Senior Levels.
Paige DiToppa
Paige DiToppa
Paige DiToppa
412-266-1131
Coach Member USFS Coach Compliant Learn to Skate USA ISI PSA
Coaching Assistant Miami University Summer Skating School
National & International Competitor, Member Team USA, National Solo Dance Competitor
USFS National Champion, Miami University Collegiate Synchronized Skating 2014, 2015, 2016, & 2017.
Senior MIF, Gold Dance Test, International Gold Dance, Senior Solo Free Dance, Solo Gold Dance, Solo International Dance Test, Canadian Gold Dance.
Mary Lou Robinson
Paige DiToppa
Paige DiToppa
412-310-6093
30+ years teaching
Regional, Sectional, and National Level Competitors
Gold Moves and Gold Freestyle
USFS Gold Medalist (Figures & Freestyle
National Bronze Medalist
Two-Time National Competitor: Singles & Pairs
Regional and Sectional Champion
Jennifer Yarchever
Kaitlin Hipp
Kaitlin Hipp
Kaitlin Hipp
Kaitlin Hipp
Kaitlin Hipp
412-523-7342
Coach Member. ISI
USFS Gold Test Moves in the Field & Solo Ice Dance
USFS Novice Freestyle
Skating Experience in Ice Dance, Freestyle, Moves in the Field, and Power Skating
Coaching experience in Basic Skills, Moves in the Field, Ice Dance, Freestyle, Power Skating, and Hockey Skating Skills.
Keith Lichtman
Kaitlin Hipp
Keith Lichtman
Coach Member USFS Coach Compliant
Coaching Regional, Sectional, National, and International level skaters for over 30 years.
Professional Skaters Association, Master Ice Dance and Master Free Dance Rating. Teaching all levels of Choreography for Free Style and Dance. Produced numerous USFS Test Gold Medallist
Jeff Petri
Heather Zarisky
Keith Lichtman
Coach Member USFS Coach Compliant
Jeff is an experienced coach who enjoys teaching all levels of skaters – from beginners to high level competitors. He encourages skating as a lifetime sport. Jeff has personally completed the International Ice Dance and Gold Free Ice Dance levels. He has coached skaters up to sectional and national competitive levels and has had numerous gold medalists. Jeff is also a presenter/demonstrator at various seminars for skaters and judges.
Heather Zarisky
Heather Zarisky
Heather Zarisky
Coaching for 18 years, member of the Professional Skaters Association and the Ice Skating Institute. Attained Gold Figure Freestyle, Dance, and Moves in the Field. Trained in Lake Placid, NY. Former US Sectional competitor. ISI Gold level certification, Masters Degree University of Pittsburgh in Psychology.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bob Mock
Skating Director
Vice-President
412-780-6637
Joyce DiToppa
President
Test Chair
412-491-0480
Barbara Gahagen
Secretary
724-931-7513
Dr. Louis A. DiToppa
Treasurer
Membership Chair
Skate Safe Chair
USFS National Vice-Chair Membership Committee
USFS Sport Medicine
412-443-7766
Sheri Fellabaum
Board Member
Lisa Smarick
Board Member
David Sladack
Paula Maniago
Emeritus Board Member