Michelle Kwan

Yesterday, we bid farewell to a legend. Frank Carroll, my former coach, mentor and dear friend for over 3 decades, was a towering figure in the world of figure skating. I still recall our first meeting vividly - as an 11-year-old full of nerves and precocious energy, I approached him with bright eyes and enthusiasm. “Hi, Mr. Carroll!” I exclaimed, unknowingly setting off a pet peeve of his - the dreaded “Mr.” Call me Frank, he insisted, with an eye roll and smirk. And so, Frank he became! Frank was everything I could have hoped for in a coach and more - a rock-solid supporter (seriously, he never missed a lesson!), a fountain of knowledge (on and off the ice), and a dear friend. He was never short on words, always providing feedback with a mix of directness, love, and unwavering support. Frank was a treasure trove of figure skating history, regaling us with tales of Olympic champions like Sonja Henie and American greats like Maribel Vinson Owen. And let’s not forget his struggle to draw the line between “coach” and “friend” - to Frank, once you were in his life, you were a friend for life. Frank’s sense of humor was a gift, especially on those tough lesson days when things just wouldn’t click. His parting words, “I’ve done my duty for God and my country,” followed by a dramatic exit as he skated away, never failed to make us all laugh. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been one of the lucky ones to work with him and, most importantly, to call him a friend. Frank, you will be dearly missed, but your legacy of laughter and love will forever live on in our hearts. Love you ❤️