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#27
09-27-2002, 02:27 PM
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Wow NiceIce-- I take it you aren't a Frank Carroll fan? When I think I Frank, I don't think of dull and stodgy. He seems like a personable, expressive man who is great at what he does. I don't believe in chastising a person because they act their age, just because it isn't yours. And for his age (whatever it is), I think Frank seems like a pretty cool guy! But we're all entitled to our opinion....I just feel you are dismissing him as a boring has-been which isn't really fair to him.
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#28
09-27-2002, 02:28 PM
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Thank you Louis...you said what I was SCREAMING at my monitor!!! My thoughts exactly. Who, in their right mind, wouldn't take on Kwan????
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#29
09-27-2002, 02:40 PM
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I had the same thought as speedy. Maybe this is Michelle's segue into the professional ranks. I don't think MK is going to win the next Olympics with this choice, but I don't think she was going to do that no matter who her coach was. Whether eligible or pro, I think it will be neat to watch Michelle's development under Scott.
And I am thrilled she finally has a coach (even if it's possibly only temporary)!
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#30
09-27-2002, 02:50 PM
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http://pub1.ezboard.com/fmichellekwa...ID=15813.topic
Actually, Scott has worked with quite a few very well known people in the skating world and made the IFS list of top 25 influential. He's not some amateur. I think this is a good move for Michelle.
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#31
09-27-2002, 03:09 PM
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i think its an intersting choice for someone to work with, certainly very daring of Michelle. and very non-conservative pick from her.
but also, i think people should realize what Michelle is saying with this article. she is basically saying that she is testing the waters with new people, and that parterning with Scott Williams could be a temporary thing or it could not be. just that she is seeing what works and what doesn't. very smart of her, to not commit to anything yet. so if it doesn't work out with Scott, she won't be blamed for "dumping" another coach, or she won't be called "indecisive" this is the perfect time for Michelle to really stretch and try new things. she has nothing left to prove in the eligible world, she's the most decorated US skater in history, and she's a 4-time World Champion. noone is expecting her to go on and win the next Olympics, no one is even expecting her to make it to the next Olympics. so this time she has now could be well spent experimenting with new choreographers and coaches and try and get her excited about competing and skating again. and also, those rumors about no elite coaches wanting to take her are completely bogus. any elite coach would be willing to coach her, even during the previous Olympics she got "a dozen" offers, but declined.
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#32
09-27-2002, 03:25 PM
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Hmmmm Okay, here are my thoughts.. I think Frank is an awesome coach. I also think Michelle is a very talented young lady who has reached a point in her life where she needs change and independence. Frank is very set in his coaching ideas, coaches get this way. (I have one and know!) I think Michelle wants some indepence in her skating and the "right" to make choices. Since she's grown up skating this seems pretty normal to me. I also think that skating isn't as much fun for her lately, and she's looking for some "newness" and fun. I don't know a thing about her "new" coach, but he sounds like he might just be the thing she needs. If Michelle finds the independce she needs and the fun she wants she'll be even better. If your loving skating, you'll be creative and willing to attempt new challanges. As for this coach not teaching elite skaters....everyone has to start somewhere. Frank started this way once. Besides, what she needs are EYES to guide her. Someone to discuss things with. She needs a partner for a coach. I say, good luck. This is Michelle's skating and life, her choices.
Chico
__________________
"I truly believe, when God created skating, he patted himself on the back."
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#33
09-27-2002, 03:32 PM
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Quote:
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#35
09-27-2002, 04:09 PM
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Well, only one more week until we get to see them in action at the Campbell's event.
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#36
09-27-2002, 04:48 PM
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In the article, Michelle is quoted as saying, "We'll just see how it goes...It would be foolish for me to say it will be long term when I don't know how he is at competitions or how it will work out."
If I were an elite coach with a full load of students, I might well be reluctant to take on an extremely high caliber (and high visibility) skater on a trial basis. When you get to a certain professional level, you don't want to audition. And even if it's not on a trial basis, there are reasons not to want to coach a World Champion level skater. The risks could be regarded as too high (what if it doesn't work out for any number of reasons, what if it does work out but the skater fails to maintain her/his previous level of success) and the rewards too low (how much credit will "I" get even if the skater maintains her/his previous level of success?). I should think the dream new skater for an elite coach is someone like Tim Goebel or Sasha Cohen, already well trained but eager to jump one level up. I don't think Michelle needs an elite level coach and I do think she has made a very interesting (albeit not fully committed) choice. I look forward to seeing if Scott Williams changes, in any way, the style of her skating.
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#37
09-27-2002, 05:22 PM
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Scott Williams is an interesting (and hopefully creative) choice. As a Kwan fan, I'm hoping he'll bring something new and different to her skating. Of course, it can not be huge because people are who they are, but some FUN little changes or additions would be great. I'm just a casual skating fan and am not too familiar with Scott Williams as a coach, but it is this unknown quantity that really peaks my interest and creates an excitment for me. So, I'm thrilled with this choice and can't wait to see what this collaboration brings.
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#38
09-27-2002, 05:24 PM
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If anything, I'm looking forward to seeing the choreography Scott Williams is planning on for Michelle. I always thought half her problem was not doing something that challenged her and held her interest long enough. When you've been skating elite for as long as she has, keeping things interesting I imagine would be essential to not losing your motivation. I don't for a second think this is a step backward for Michelle. Going by last season's choreography and lack of coach, I'd say this is step 1 in the right direction. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
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#39
09-27-2002, 05:47 PM
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Even before I got to Yazmeen's post, the first word that came into my mind to describe Scott was innovator. He definitely pushes the envelope. If it turns out they work well together, this could be the perfect choice to maybe silence the critics who keep harping that she always does the same thing.
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#40
09-27-2002, 06:18 PM
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I think there is limited success to achieve, (because Michelle is already at the top) and lots of risk of failure. Also, Michelle seems to have definite ideas of how SHE wants to work. I wonder how much a coach fits his approach around what a skater wants? That is a general question. I would assume that with the top coaches, you go to them because you want what they have to offer. In other words, you fit to them. Michelle has certainly earned the right to do whatever she wants, but it sounds as though she wants a coach to fit to her, rather than the other way 'round.
__________________
 DH - and that's just my opinion - correct, of course - but still just an opinion
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#41
09-27-2002, 06:22 PM
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Well, at least people can't say that this is boring, typical Michelle. I don't think she sounds very enthusiastic, but I'm excited for her and I hope it works out. I'd love to see her enjoying herself and using more innovative choreography: something along the lines of DOD or Taj and nothing modern or "out there" unless she can really make it work. Like TMM and the Chris Dean sp: they were different but had potential...not like the Beatles sp which, IMO, lacked something and was there only b/c it was different, but not good-different. I wouldn't mind seeing another Peter O.-choreographed program from her while she's being coached by Scott, either. He was very musical and creative with TMM. I'm still convinced, though, that she should skip this competitive season and start at SA next year after she's well-rested (if she still wants to compete). Anyway, here's to something new and satisfying for Michelle.
 .
__________________
"Now unto him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." ~Ephesians 3:20
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#42
09-27-2002, 06:42 PM
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Funny enough, I had the opposite thought. I've heard nothing coming from Michelle Kwan that suggests she has definite ideas on the direction of her skating or how much she wants to work. She seems to be aware of her options but not sure on which direction to take. She wants to go to school, but shel also wants to continue to skate. Her decision making process seems to have stopped right there. If anything there is an air of indecision coming from her side. I can't imagine there being no give and take in a coach/athlete partnership though. A coach has to be able to adapt to their athlete about as much as the athlete has to adapt to the coach. Meaning they both have to adjust to "fit" each other. IMO
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#46
09-27-2002, 08:34 PM
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Someone wrote that Scott Williams teaches at Torrance, which is true, but he has been teaching Michelle for the past two weeks at Paramount Iceland. That is where I skate and I've seen them.
Today Michelle had a lesson with Peter Oppegard in the afternoon, so maybe she is working with both of them? Or maybe today was just a one time thing. I can't say on that one. It has been nice to be able to watch Michelle practice. I hope she stays at Paramount and I hope she competes at Nationals this year, but we'll see. -Catherine
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#47
09-27-2002, 08:58 PM
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 I remember Brian Boitano once saying in an interview that when Scott's practicing, many of the other pros watch in awe (and perhaps a bit of envy) at the stuff he does on skates. His choreography is never like anyone else's and if anyone can stretch Michelle artistically, Scott could be the guy.I'll also add that after conversing with Scott via e-mail and in person (at the 2000 American Open), everyone should know how completely nice, friendly and unpretentious he is. I'd e-mailed him a few times before the comp and when I finally saw him there, he remembered me and we talked for a bit. Hmmm, I'll have to dig out that pic I have of me with him and Rory Burghart. Spinner
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#49
09-27-2002, 09:59 PM
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Years ago there was a 'rock and roll' competition on TV. The mainstream skaters were out there with music that would never be considered 'Rock'. Scott came out and did 'Walking on the Sun' and brought the house down. The barrell rolls, the hair, the leather - nice!
I love this pairing. Temporary or not, it's a nice fit and it will be fun to watch. I just hope Scott's preparing his flame proof suit! 
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#50
09-27-2002, 10:18 PM
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By the way, for the Campbell's event next weekend in Florida, are the competitors each doing one program or two? -Catherine
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