Club offers singular, group competition

The IU figure skating club might well be the best-kept secret in IU team athletics. As a club sport, the club has enjoyed noteworthy success since its founding four years ago. The competitive team is ranked No. 1 in the Midwest and performed in the 2006 Intercollegiate National Figure Skating Competition in San Jose, Calif.\nClub membership consists of two divisions: noncompetitive recreational and the competitive team. Members, such as the current club president, Beth Dorr, perform in both individual events and synchronized competition, which often provides competitors with a heavy workload. \n"I was always an individual skater until I came to IU," said Dorr. "I have thoroughly enjoyed (synchronized) so far because I enjoy being out there with 19 other people."\nFigure skating can be an expensive activity because of the apparel, equipment and travel required -- not to mention the time commitment. Club members pay fees to belong to the club for these reasons. \n"The IUFSC is funded through member dues, fundraising, donations and the allocation money given to us by the IU Club Sports Program," said club Treasurer Katie Farrell. "Fundraising is necessary because it lowers members' dues and travel expenses."\nThe club holds practices in the Frank Southern Ice Arena located next to Bloomington High School South. "The rink is terribly run down and too small for us to even host a competition in," said club founder Katie Laughner.\nThe majority of the competitive team takes the ice four nights a week, a substantial time commitment considering that each member is also a full-time student. \n"I would like to see the team be able to get more ice time at a reasonable time during the day," Laughner said. "Our late night practices tend to wear you out."\nClub members constantly encourage and support each other on and off the ice. \n"My favorite thing about the IUFSC is the camaraderie I have developed with the other members," Dorr said. "When you are out there several days a week together, we really get to know each other and share our love for the sport together."\nThe club requires a large amount of a teamwork, even though figure skating is commonly regarded as an individual sport.\n"The IUFSC is different because we are an actual team," said Laughner. "At IU, we give up our individualism as skaters and instead represent IU every time we step on the ice." \nClub members said they love that they are still skating at an age when many give up their hobby. \n"I just love to skate, and I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to continue it during college," said second-year member Lizzie Mills. \nThe club's membership continues to grow each year, and club members are confident that its best days have yet to come. \n"This is only the fourth year of the club," Dorr said, "and we are already beginning to establish ourselves among the collegiate skating world"