2018-19 U.S. Men’s figure skating

[century2009]

It is always back and forth about whether Nathan can handle school or not, but it does seems he is proving doubters wrong.

And I am pretty impress with how he is handling both being one of the elite skaters and Yale. Because we know others have not done well. I could not do it. It is so tough and really will respect him for doing it.

I think he knows he still has a lot to work on to bring everything together with his program, but if he can continue to deliver like that during off times, then he really is a great athlete and competitor.

I would like him to focus on skating because to be honest, he is becoming one of the greatest skaters of all time. It will and has not been an easy journey and has been attacked so hard at such a young age, but he has the pure talent, mindset, and competitive spirit to make this difference in the sport and he never gives up.

I know school is important for his future but he has so much passion for the sports and to be honest really holding US internationally. He loves it, and dont want him to leave it.

I am selfish because he is such a great competitor and made the men's field so exciting with him because he has challenged all of them to do more, and continue to push the sport.

 

[heyheyhey]

He can probably hold on to his plan of going to school for 2 years then taking a sabbatical for 2 years leading up to Olympics. He’s not in any danger of not being on the podium at the very worst. But if he has to pick, it’d be pretty difficult to give up a full ride to Yale. That’s a lot bigger than anything he could achieve in skating, even if he wins the Olympic Gold. Being given $100,000 a year for a top school is no joke. If I were in his position I’d stick with school since his long term goal is to be a doctor and honestly he offers more to skating than skating could offer him. Let’s hope he doesn’t have to pick though & he’s able to accomplish both his goal without too much sacrifices.

 

[TunaKeem]

He can probably hold on to his plan of going to school for 2 years then taking a sabbatical for 2 years leading up to Olympics. He’s not in any danger of not being on the podium at the very worst. But if he has to pick, it’d be pretty difficult to give up a full ride to Yale. That’s a lot bigger than anything he could achieve in skating, even if he wins the Olympic Gold. Being given $100,000 a year for a top school is no joke. If I were in his position I’d stick with school since his long term goal is to be a doctor and honestly he offers more to skating than skating could offer him. Let’s hope he doesn’t have to pick though & he’s able to accomplish both his goal without too much sacrifices.

If we're simply talking monetary gain, then I think going to the Olympics again in Beijing would probably end up being more lucrative with the brand deals and sponsorships he would gain in doing so. Without even winning, just the lead up to that would net him a lot of money, if he actually medals and becomes gold then he would get even more. Then you weigh that against a doctor's salary for the rest of his life and being a doctor is more secure. Is there no hope in Yale giving Nathan some kind of hold and maintaining his scholarship? It's not like he is going to go eat twinkies on a couch and play GTA for a few years this is the Olympics.

If I were Nathan, I think I'd pick the Olympics. Even if it means shelling out $200K of my own money for school after he comes back from the Olympics (which I think he would easily be able to make from sponsorships). He isn't some mediocre skater who might get in the top 10, he could win so I think that is far more valuable and being a doctor will always be there for him when he gets back.

 

[Shani]

To be honest as a world champion and with his school grades he will not be shelling out that much of his own money for an ivy league education. He can take his time on graduation in the USA, and balance his courses. Yale has advertised his arrival so it has to be reciprocal.

 

[Shani]

And I loved Jason Brown's short program. It was a good move for him to Brian Orser as a coach and I have amazing respect for

Jason and Kori Ade to make this change seamless for each other.

 

[el henry]

Just a word on Ivy League schools and scholarships.

I have no idea what Nathan’s financial situation is, nor do I care. Ivies offer *only* need based scholarships. No athletic scholarships. (Nathan is not the first world champion athlete to attend Yale, and he won’t be the last). No academic scholarships. No anything except if you can’t afford it scholarships.

That said, it is entirely possible that Nathan may be receiving aid from other scholarships, other sources, other funds. Yale may have helped him find them. I wouldn’t want to speculate on that. But I’m pretty sure the restriction to need-based aid is one Ivy policy that hasn’t changed in the past 40 or 50 years

 

[moonvine]

It is always back and forth about whether Nathan can handle school or not, but it does seems he is proving doubters wrong.

And I am pretty impress with how he is handling both being one of the elite skaters and Yale. Because we know others have not done well. I could not do it. It is so tough and really will respect him for doing it.

I think he knows he still has a lot to work on to bring everything together with his program, but if he can continue to deliver like that during off times, then he really is a great athlete and competitor.

I would like him to focus on skating because to be honest, he is becoming one of the greatest skaters of all time. It will and has not been an easy journey and has been attacked so hard at such a young age, but he has the pure talent, mindset, and competitive spirit to make this difference in the sport and he never gives up.

I know school is important for his future but he has so much passion for the sports and to be honest really holding US internationally. He loves it, and dont want him to leave it.

I am selfish because he is such a great competitor and made the men's field so exciting with him because he has challenged all of them to do more, and continue to push the sport.

I have never understood why any elite skater has tried to balance college and skating. One can go to school ANYTIME. I have a friend who is starting medical school in his 50's. I know another lady who got a PhD in her 70's. But there's a timeframe during which one can be an elite skater. I can definitely see wanting to QUIT skating and have a "normal" college experience, but having a "normal" college experience is almost certainly not going to be possible while being an elite skater. Look at Polina Edmunds.

 

[Skater Boy]

Nathan is an extraordinary person and skater no doubt about it. I am not sure he has the greatest skater factor. But you never know. His skating skills while getting better is still based a lot on him landing very difficult jumps which is where he excels. He has certainly done lots to appear artistic but he does not have the natural edging or flow of Chan or Lambiel or Brown and he is not intrinsically as "artistic" or heartfelt as Yuzuru or Daisuke. He does not have the drama of Johnny Weir or passion of Shoma. He is very smart though and develops his programs accordingly.

Jason Brown did us all proud this weekend ; showing it isn't just all about the quads and is on the other end from Nathan. But realistically if Chan who is an even better skater than Jason with more difficult tricks couldn't win at the end of his career it will be hard for Jason at the big competitions when everyone is there. But if he continue to skates like he did in France the Americans will send him - he is the new Adam Rippon (who sort of took Jason's spot) the reliable artisitc skater who will get the US a top ten spot and with Nathan guarantee three spots..

Jimmy and Vincent and the chasers there is still one spot open - someone needs to want it and own it

 

[bobbob]

Nathan is extraordinary, obviously going to Yale while skating is just an amazing feat because he has to juggle so much. But as a fan I do wonder how he would skate if he were not going to Yale. I do think perhaps his quads would be a little further long. Not that he made a wrong decision, just makes me wonder. With Karen and Vincent probably taking a similar approach next year, something to keep in mind.

 

[heyheyhey]

I have never understood why any elite skater has tried to balance college and skating. One can go to school ANYTIME. I have a friend who is starting medical school in his 50's. I know another lady who got a PhD in her 70's. But there's a timeframe during which one can be an elite skater. I can definitely see wanting to QUIT skating and have a "normal" college experience, but having a "normal" college experience is almost certainly not going to be possible while being an elite skater. Look at Polina Edmunds.

Some people are just high achievers by nature. Nathan comes from a family full of geniuses, his mom, dad and all his siblings are highly intelligent, highly ambitious, highly successful individuals with top level education so that philosophy to put education above all else and to work really hard for what you want is something that’s been instilled in him since birth. He’s also used to having every hour of his life accounted for with multiple different activities outside of just skating, he’s replacing those activities now with full course load at a top university while also competing. He might be one of those people who focus better when he’s not only focusing on one thing (like skating) and does better when he has to be efficient because he doesn’t have time to waste.

He could also just want to shut people up about what he can or cannot do lol. Just because others couldn’t do it, that shouldn’t be projected onto him so I hope he does prove people wrong. Raf is a super strict coach and rarely gives compliments unless he means it but one thing he’s always emphasized about Nathan is his work ethic & he’s hard to impress when it comes to working hard but Nathan really is a supernaturally disciplined individual & highly ambitious so maybe he just wants to prove something to himself with taking this on. I don’t know but it’s super inspiring I’ll say that, I feel extremely lazy next to this kid lol

 

[Moxiejan]

Nathan is extraordinary, obviously going to Yale while skating is just an amazing feat because he has to juggle so much. But as a fan I do wonder how he would skate if he were not going to Yale. I do think perhaps his quads would be a little further long. Not that he made a wrong decision, just makes me wonder. With Karen and Vincent probably taking a similar approach next year, something to keep in mind.

One possibility: If he was skating more, he might be injured by now. The schedule of going to school is by necessity forcing him to allow his body to rest a bit.

 

[mrrice]

It really is up to Nathan. I loved touring and I stayed on the road from the Summer after 10th grade until I was 23. When I entered CSUN, I had seen the World and was really ready to focus on school. I don't know how Nathan handles school and touring at the same time. I give him credit for doing so. Personally, I don't think I could have done both at the same time. It's not like doing a play where you can sit back stage and do homework during scenes that don't involve you. When you're the World Champion there are demands on your time that go beyond most skaters. I wish him the very best with this ambitious adventure.

 

[composer]

One possibility: If he was skating more, he might be injured by now. The schedule of going to school is by necessity forcing him to allow his body to rest a bit.

This! It’s not easy to find the balance because it is so individual but I think combining something as sedentary as college with skating is not a bad idea generally. I think pursuing two different goals can also help a person mentally weather the ups and downs in any one sphere. So in my opinion it’s a win all around.

ETA: I’m kind of hoping Evgenia would take a few college classes as well to be honest.

 

[discode]

Nathan has been injured a lot in his career and never had a normal high school experience. I can see why he at least wants to try a year with his peers. Skating is now, but it's also something that can be put on the back burner for a season so he can have other life experiences. One thing with Nathan is I doubt he wants to lose any competition and he doesn't want to do poorly at school either. So if things end up being too much he'll make changes.

As for how he does it all, well he was studying in the audience at idf https://twitter.com/cantileverlove/status/1066398871029510144

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I'm actually very happy Nathan is in school and (probably) training less. His body is only going to take so much before it gives out, so if his goal is to be skating in 2022 he probably can't go 100% for the next 3 years.

 

[Moxiejan]

One thing to consider is that in the past (before shows such as SOI in late spring & Challenger events starting in August) skaters had a much longer off-season for resting & recharging. Now, they maybe can take 2-3 weeks off before starting work on new programs, not to mention any new elements. This might be part of the reason why we’re seeing so many injuries.

 

[tothepointe]

Just a word on Ivy League schools and scholarships.

I have no idea what Nathan’s financial situation is, nor do I care. Ivies offer *only* need based scholarships. No athletic scholarships. (Nathan is not the first world champion athlete to attend Yale, and he won’t be the last). No academic scholarships. No anything except if you can’t afford it scholarships.

That said, it is entirely possible that Nathan may be receiving aid from other scholarships, other sources, other funds. Yale may have helped him find them. I wouldn’t want to speculate on that. But I’m pretty sure the restriction to need-based aid is one Ivy policy that hasn’t changed in the past 40 or 50 years

It's quite possible that on paper despite his earnings from skating that he does demonstrate financial need. What he has earned from prize money and sponsorships may not offset the expenses so he might not have as much taxable income. Raf did mention in one of his Russian interviews that without the scholarship that Nate's parents would not be able to afford Yale.

 

[el henry]

It's quite possible that on paper despite his earnings from skating that he does demonstrate financial need. What he has earned from prize money and sponsorships may not offset the expenses so he might not have as much taxable income. Raf did mention in one of his Russian interviews that without the scholarship that Nate's parents would not be able to afford Yale.

I’m not saying that Nathan did not get a need based scholarship; the financial status of Nathan and his parents are none of my business. ETA: based on the fact that I don’t believe Nathan or his parents have said anything on the issue, but I don’t follow him that closely and I could be wrong.

I meant to address the proposal that Nathan would get a scholarship *from Yale itself* based on either his academic or his athletic achievements. He would not.

Whether he gets need based aid, or scholarships for other sources, I do not believe he has disclosed and I do not know.

 

[theharleyquinn]

Nathan is an extraordinary person and skater no doubt about it. I am not sure he has the greatest skater factor. But you never know. His skating skills while getting better is still based a lot on him landing very difficult jumps which is where he excels. He has certainly done lots to appear artistic but he does not have the natural edging or flow of Chan or Lambiel or Brown and he is not intrinsically as "artistic" or heartfelt as Yuzuru or Daisuke. He does not have the drama of Johnny Weir or passion of Shoma. He is very smart though and develops his programs accordingly.

I agree about him not having the drama, artistry, edgework, or maybe even the earnestness of his peers or predecessors, but I still somehow find Nathan elegant? I don't fully know why, but he has a very stately presence on the ice. I think it comes from his confidence and easygoing personality in part. The things he does well, like the more modern Shae-Lynn step sequences and his spread eagles, just look so good. He brings something unique to the men's field, and I do feel that he's growing his artistry bit by bit. Who knows, maybe the life experience of college will be good for helping develop that.

 

[oatmella]

Nathan has not said anything about receiving a scholarship from Yale.

As usual, we find out more from Raf and his Russian interviews than Nathan himself