Frequently Asked Questions
So this is one club with three teams? How does this work?
Yes! The UMD Figure Skating Club is one large sport club under RSOP (Recreational Sports Outdoor Program). Our club functions much like the figure skating club you most likely grew up skating with. We offer skaters the opportunity to compete in Intercollegiate (individual) Skating and/or as a part of our Synchronized Skating Team. Skaters can compete on one or both teams within our club. A skater can also be apart of our non-competitive recreational team. The perk of this system is that the club as a whole participates in fundraisers and team bonding events together to create cohesiveness within the club.
What are the requirements for the team?
In order to be eligible to compete with the intercollegiate or synchronized teams, you must be enrolled in 6 credits or more at UMD. You must also have a USFS membership; either an annual membership or a collegiate membership (this one lasts a total of 4 years and is what we recommend) works. Skaters of ISI background are welcome! The transition process from ISI to USFS is simple and the officers can help out with this process at the start of the season! USFS will give test credit equivalence for ISI skaters.
When and where does the team practice?
A great part about skating at UMD is that we practice at our on-campus ice rink. Practice times are consistent throughout each season and is announced in August. Scheduled times do not conflict with class times. There is also open skate daily throughout the week which is free to all UMD students.
Does it cost a lot to be part of the team?
Figure skating is considered an expensive sport, but we try to keep costs as low as possible. The team pays for travel costs, hotel accommodations, and some competition fees throughout the year. The team does receive funding from UMD, and we also do fundraisers to cover as many costs as possible to lower skaters' dues. All skaters on competitive teams pay the same amount for the year whether they are competing in Intercollegiate Skating or Synchro Skating or both (the cost varies by year depending on how much money is raised through fundraisers). All skaters on the recreational team pay reduced dues since the club does not pay for transportation and hotel to competitions as these skaters do not compete.
How does the team travel to competitions?
The team travels by university rental vehicles to all competitions.
Yes! The UMD Figure Skating Club is one large sport club under RSOP (Recreational Sports Outdoor Program). Our club functions much like the figure skating club you most likely grew up skating with. We offer skaters the opportunity to compete in Intercollegiate (individual) Skating and/or as a part of our Synchronized Skating Team. Skaters can compete on one or both teams within our club. A skater can also be apart of our non-competitive recreational team. The perk of this system is that the club as a whole participates in fundraisers and team bonding events together to create cohesiveness within the club.
What are the requirements for the team?
In order to be eligible to compete with the intercollegiate or synchronized teams, you must be enrolled in 6 credits or more at UMD. You must also have a USFS membership; either an annual membership or a collegiate membership (this one lasts a total of 4 years and is what we recommend) works. Skaters of ISI background are welcome! The transition process from ISI to USFS is simple and the officers can help out with this process at the start of the season! USFS will give test credit equivalence for ISI skaters.
When and where does the team practice?
A great part about skating at UMD is that we practice at our on-campus ice rink. Practice times are consistent throughout each season and is announced in August. Scheduled times do not conflict with class times. There is also open skate daily throughout the week which is free to all UMD students.
Does it cost a lot to be part of the team?
Figure skating is considered an expensive sport, but we try to keep costs as low as possible. The team pays for travel costs, hotel accommodations, and some competition fees throughout the year. The team does receive funding from UMD, and we also do fundraisers to cover as many costs as possible to lower skaters' dues. All skaters on competitive teams pay the same amount for the year whether they are competing in Intercollegiate Skating or Synchro Skating or both (the cost varies by year depending on how much money is raised through fundraisers). All skaters on the recreational team pay reduced dues since the club does not pay for transportation and hotel to competitions as these skaters do not compete.
How does the team travel to competitions?
The team travels by university rental vehicles to all competitions.