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Created in 2013, Skate Guard is a blog that focuses on overlooked and underappreciated areas of the history of figure skating, whether that means a topic completely unknown to most readers or a new look at a well-known skater, time period, or event. There's plenty to explore, so pour yourself a cup of coffee and get lost in the fascinating and fabulous history of everyone's favourite winter sport!

Tod Bartholomew

 Tod Alan Bartholomew

September 13, 1954-June 6, 1992


Born in Lakewood, Ohio, Tod Bartholomew got his start in skating at the Bowling Green University Figure Skating Club. He was one of Ohio's top precision skating coaches in the late eighties. He passed away in Cleveland, Ohio on June 6, 1992 at the age of thirty-seven.


Tod's obituary from "Skating" magazine: "Tod A. Bartholomew, long admired for his love of ice skating and his 12-plus years of influence on the sport in the city of Garfield Heights, Ohio, passed away June 6, at University Hospital in Cleveland, after an extended illness. He was 37. Bartholomew graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1976 and began teaching high school biology in Lakewood. One year later, he gave up his amateur status to become a professional skater and coach. He gave lessons in figures, freestyle, and dance to a multitude of skaters at Winterhurst in Lakewood, Dan Kostel Recreation Center in Garfield Heights, North Olmsted Recreation in North Olmsted, Cleveland SC, Pavilion SC in Cleveland Heights, Forestwood Ice Rink in Parma, Greenbrier Ice Rink in Parma Heights, along with other skating rinks in the area. By 1980, he was teaching precision skating to the Garfield Heights FSC's precision teams that later were known for their national championship titles.. In 1990, the Bartholomew-coached Goldenettes won the U.S. Senior precision gold medal and his team, the Royalettes, captured the U.S. Junior precision gold medal. Bartholomew has also coached the Synchroblades, an Adult precision team from West Shore FSC, since 1983. He was active on the USFSA Precision Committee and on the Board of Directors. The city council of the City of Garfield Heights honored him with a proclamation from Mayor Thomas J. Longo which was presented to his parents Earl P. and Phyllis H., who survive. The proclamation commended him for his effort and dedication during his 12 years of service as coach of the Garfield Heights FSC."

*Source for inclusion: National AIDS Memorial, The Names Project Memorial Quilt

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