Today we’d like to introduce you to Merita Mullen.
Merita, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began my professional career as an Ice Dance coach at various rinks in the greater Boston area. One of the rinks had begun a Synchronized Skating team, and their coach had to relocate, leaving the team without a coach, or a candidate for the position. I was approached, and accepted the job, knowing nothing of Synchronized Skating. I educated myself, and grew that organization to eventually include six teams. We won a variety of National medals, one title, and represented the USA in two Junior World Championships.
I then, with the help of dedicated volunteers created a new organization representing The Skating Club of Boston, where I had skated as a child. We are now beginning our nineth season, and have developed eleven teams of approximately 10 to 20 athletes per team, depending on age group. The teams are comprised of very young beginning skaters, to adults, many of whom have skated with me for their entire Synchro career.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been both smooth and bumpy! One struggle has been competing for quality skaters in the area; there are of course other teams in Massachusetts. Starting over after being Director of a very successful organization was like taking a “leap of faith”, but it was something I felt I had to do. The transition was difficult at times as any change is, but I had a lot of support during the process. Also, representing the skating club where I spent so much time as a teenager was a draw for me.
The smooth part of the journey is the fact that I have been heavily supported by numerous dedicated volunteers; I simply couldn’t do my job without them.
Then, there is the subjective aspect of skating. Pleasing judges and Technical Specialists is not an easy task, but this is something that all of us in any aspect of skating accept.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Team Excel story. Tell us more about the business.
Our organization stresses a sense of family. While we are competitive, we include parents and all skaters in social activities a few times each year. We also encourage parent participation behind the scenes, whether serving on the Steering Committee or the Board of Directors, or any sort of task that supports their skater. We appreciate all volunteer contributions.
We specialize in developing athletes of all ages to realize their potential both on, and off the ice. They learn life lessons such as commitment to a group effort, time management in terms of a balance between schoolwork and practices, responsibility toward others, and a sense of accomplishment doing something they love. They also develop friendships along the way, and bond as a team. The coaches facilitate this.
I believe that is what I am most proud of.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I anticipate more competitive success at the Sectional and National levels, further growth in membership, and further development of my coaching staff. I work with a group of young women, many of whom skated with me as younger competitors. They are eager, dedicated to the skaters, and loyal to the organization.
There will be shifts in the organization as the sport continues to grow. Rules will change, required elements and program choreography will change, and there will be a turnover of skaters and families as they grow up and go off to their next pursuits.
Contact Info:
- Address: Team Excel
1240 Soldiers Field Rd.,
Brighton, MA 02135 - Website: Excelsynchro.org
- Phone: 617 782 5900
- Email: excelsynchro@gmail.com
I’m the one on the right. GIllian is left, Kat is middle. Neither of my daughters skated. Being the coach’s daughter carries considerable pressure and scrutiny. Not what I wanted for them, they each participated in their own activities which I supported as any mom would.
Image Credit:
Scott Malone
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