An interview with

Tiffany Bogden

Host Professional

 How did you get started in skating? 

On a rainy Sunday afternoon in York, PA, my parents took my brother and I skating.  My mother had to hold me up the entire time.  I did not like skating at all!  My brother signed up for lessons, so my parents put me in them as well.  In 1 month, I was taking private lessons and was hooked.  You couldn't get me out of the skating rink!!!  I skated competitively for 10 years.  

How long have you been coaching? 

I began coaching 19 years ago!  At that time, once you accepted money for coaching, you could not compete.  I had retired from skating to attend college.  Four skaters that I had practiced with before retirement approached me and asked me to teach.  I gave it a try and loved it!

What are some highlights of your career as a skater?  

I was top 10 every year I skated at Nationals, but skating taught me so much more than any placement or test.  It has given me my confidence, ability to work hard, ability to tackle any challenge...it is such a big part of who I am.

What do you like best about being a coach? 

Taking a skater who can barely stand up to learning different aspects of skating, whether it is for fun or for competition.  Watching them grow as individuals, sometimes from timid youngsters to very confident teens and adults. The placements at competitions are just icing on the cake.

I coach all levels of skating. Some of my students skate for exercise, some skate for fun, some skate to compete.  Some skaters skate to win and need perfection.  To become an artist on skates, it takes time and lots of practice. 

Tell us about the Olympic Artistic Roller Skating Club. 

It was formed long ago.  The club originated out of Carlisle, but when Duncan & Georgia McArthur, my parents, built Olympic Skating Center, the club transferred to Enola.  I guess you could say that the rink's name came from the club's.

In order to compete, skaters must have a club affiliation.  In previous years, the club held fund raisers to help raise money for skaters attending Nationals.  As the number of competitive skaters has decrease, the club's activities have also decreased.  We have skaters, coaches and judges affiliated with our club, approximately 10 members.

Why are you hosting this event?  How will the event help the club? 

We would like our sport to be recognized by the public.  Roller skating has so much to offer for families as well as individuals, whether it is for fun, exercise, or competition.  We hope to educate people about the competitive aspects of roller skating, as well as give our current competitive members the recognition that they have earned and deserve.  One of our members has won Nationals twice (at age 9 and age 11) and another member (at age 12 and 14) has been in the top 5 twice. Monies raised from this event will help fund our attendance at the National Roller Skating Competition in Lincoln, Nebraska this summer.  

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Tiffany graduated from Penn State with a master's degree in Special Education, emphasis on Early Childhood.  She currently owns TMB Therapy, providing services to families with infants and toddlers with special needs in 6 counties, with 7 employees.  She also co-owns SuperBaby, Inc., a company that develops educational tools for young children.

 Her hobbies are reading, running, volleyball and riding jet skis.  She has been married to Chris Bogden for 10 years, with 1 son, Dane 3 1/2 years old, and 2 rescued dogs (Cameron and Lucy).

 Skating Achievements:

2 Time Bronze National Champion

10 Time National Competitor

1983 Recipient of Skater of the Year

1987 Gold Achievement Test for Figures

 Coaching Achievements:

5 Gold Medal National Champions (3 in Figures, 1 in Singles, and 1 in Inline Singles)

1 Silver Medal National Champion (Singles)

2 Bronze Medal National Champions (Figures and Singles)

7 National Finalists (Figures, Loops, and Singles)

1 Gold Achievement Test for Figures