Meet Liz Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Smith.

Hi Liz, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. 
I started ice skating at the age of 5. I loved it instantly. I wanted to fly across the ice. I watched the Olympics on TV. My dad, who played hockey, would take me to open skate, and shortly after, I was in learn to skate classes, and my skating journey began. I always knew I wanted to be a synchronized skating coach, even way back in middle school. The ice rink was my happy place. Ice skating was always a constant in my life, and even when things got tough at home, I could go to the rink. My friends and I used to joke we would move to the middle of nowhere in somewhere like Montana and start our own team and call it the Montanaettes. My journey with Synchro took me all over the country and Europe. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities I got at such a young age to be a Team USA synchro skater. My first international trip to Sweden as a novice skater and only 13 years of age made me realize I was a part of something bigger than myself. Representing my country was a feeling like no other. All the hard work paid off, and I knew this sport was going to stay with me. I assisted at camps and local learn-to-skate classes in college at the University of Delaware. I was able to start being more hands-on coaching Girl Scout learn to skate events and consulting for synchro teams in Pennsylvania. When I graduated from the University of Delaware, my goal was to skate on Disney on Ice. Unfortunately, the week of synchro nationals, I blew out my knee. It was dislocated and tendons torn. My life plans changed I moved home. Luckily, after knee surgery, I was able to not only continue coaching but was able to really start being able to put routines together. It was the start of me finding my voice as a coach and what kind of coach I wanted to be. I had really strict coaches growing up, I had Russian Ballet instructors, and in college, I had coaches who cared more about being well-rounded. I wanted to find that fine line of both. I truly believe you can be competitive and still have fun. I had a lot of success in Wisconsin for three years, one day I came across the advert for the job here in Cleveland. I wasn’t sure about applying. Was I good enough? Was I someone that would fit their needs? I say this even though I had already been coaching synchronized skating for 5 years then, a Former Team USA skater and former Junior Worlds Competitor. I actually almost didn’t apply, but my good friend and colleague was like, “No, Liz, I have a good feeling about this one! Go for it!” And I did. I moved to Ohio without any local family or friends and rebuild my life. From the get-go, everyone was so supportive, and I was able to really push the boundaries of what these athletes were used to. The skaters were ready to learn and grow and I felt like all my experience and knowledge was coming into one place where I could make a difference. Seven years later, I’ve doubled the size of the program from 60 skaters to over 120 skaters. Last season, I coached our juvenile team to the National Championships. Not only was this a first for our organization, but a first for Northeast Ohio in 11 years! I am so beyond proud of the progress I’ve made from only losing 1 skater/family during Covid season to our size and results growing my club has come so far. I have not made all this success alone. With the support of my on-and-off-ice coaching staff and dedicated parents, I’ve been able to grow this program to be not only the largest in Cleveland but also the largest in the state of Ohio. These kids constantly surprise me, and I never grow tired of coaching this ever-changing sport. Synchronized skating is so unique and most people have never heard of it. It requires too much of a skater to be a well-rounded athlete, and I am so honored after 26 years in the sport that it has stayed in my life, and I don’t see my life without it. I truly hope one day, it can become an Olympic sport. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth… but that has made me a stronger person. Throughout my time in Cleveland, I also had personal setbacks, which I know affected me more than I realized at the time. After being of me living in Cleveland, my dad decided to move back to Canada. I lost my mom to cancer in college and do not have a big family. My dad has been very supportive from day one and often comes to 1-2 competitions a season to see and cheer on my teams. It was a tough thing to grasp that he was going to be 11-13 hours away instead of 5 1/2. I do not have a large family, so it was tough to not be able to just drive home for the weekend if I needed an escape or visit. It’s been tough not having family close by. About a year ago, my dad ended up moving, so now it’s a 6–7-hour drive, which is a little nicer but still tough. From stepping into my role in Cleveland, I was not aware of past history and struggles the club had. I had work on changing the image of the club internally but also externally. A culture change does not happen overnight. I was constantly told by parents who had left I wouldn’t be able to grow this organization. Luckily, I was able to make friendships with parents who are real cheerleaders, and I am so thankful for their continued support. I know I have friends for life. Skating does that, creates friends for life. A lot of the friends I have made here are more like family. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Synchronized Skating Coach and Program Director. I coach the largest synchronized skating organization in not only the Cleveland Area but also Ohio. I also coach individual private lessons to skaters of all ages and disciplines, but in particular, Moves in the Field Tests and Ice Dance. I am the so proud of how welcoming Cleveland has been to me and allowing this girl from Illinois to make it her home. I’ve worked very hard to get where I am. With the sport that I am in ever-changing and our world ever-changing, it seems every few years, we have to evaluate what works and what doesn’t, and that allows us to get stronger. This year I was ever so influenced by the TV Show Ted Lasso and really focused on growing a positive supportive environment for my oldest team of high school skaters, Intermediate. I definitely try to adapt and not get stuck in one way of treating a skill or element. Right before Covid, I actually went on a road trip by myself to go to a seminar for synchronized skating in Canada to see what it was like from a different lens. It really gave me some ideas for the following year that I brought back to my club. As a coach, I believe you are constantly growing and learning. Whether it’s watching videos on YouTube from a competition on the other side of the world to attending coaching seminars, there is always room to improve, collaborate, and grow. 

Of my accomplishments outside my own team, I am also the most thankful and proud that I’ve been given the opportunities to be a consultant for other teams and coaches. This past season, I was a coach consultant for Triangle in North Carolina and Ellenton Epic Edge in Ellenton, Florida. I enjoyed so much lending my expertise to these organizations and seeing them grow along the way. It only makes our sport stronger, and Ellenton Epic Edge even came home with a pewter medal from the Sectional Championship this year. This work is so important and special to me and not something everyone sees every day. I hope that I can continue coaching and consulting for more teams in the future and lending a hand in helping others achieve their goals. 

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mom, I know, is always looking down on me from heaven and supportive of me. She would be beyond impressed of what I have built. My dad is my biggest supporter and biggest critic, but he has seen this sport grow so much over the years. He isn’t afraid to tell me when he thinks a performance was good or bad. The parents of my club welcomed me with open arms when I arrived to Cleveland. I had no idea this was planned but there was a crew of parents and skaters waiting at my new apartment in Cleveland 7 years ago when I arrived with my U-Haul. They went above and beyond to welcome me and let it be known they were excited and ready to have me join their club. Over the years, one of the presidents and advocates for the good of the club, Bruce Bishilany, deserves a lot of credit. Not only for being supportive but looking at the big picture. It often can be quite difficult to not just look at what’s best for your kid but what is best for 100 kids. 

My cousin Lauren Badger is my biggest cheerleader. From when I was a skater, and she would come to my competitions to now as a coach, she may not know all the technical but loves to see what each year looks like for the teams. 

My colleague and friend David McGrouther that started as a mentor to me was the one who recommended that I apply for the job here in Cleveland and have been a constant supporter and mentor. He is always knowledgeable with rules and program ideas. 

My coaching staff: in particular Miranda Hoy, who was a coach on staff when I arrived. She made me feel welcome and always was willing to lend a hand or ear if needed. Another coach, Alissa Mariage, was the coach that I coached our Juvenile team with last year to a National Championship. Our coaching relationship and program creation structure have changed so much over the years, and she has been such a huge supporter and advocate for me. Thirdly, Lana Ullemeyer has been a longtime coach and friend since day 1 of coaching together. Not just my coaching staff but also local skating coaches who have been beyond supportive over the years: Erin Schopf, Julie Bellomy, Jan Wene, Sarah Stafford, and Roberta Mitchell. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Sk8coachliz
• Facebook: Liz Smith
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-smith-37451738
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clevelandicestorm3060

Image Credits
Jen Hayward
Amy Foucher