Figure skating book by CNU professor soon to be released
News Release - November 10, 2005
contact:
Karen L. Gill
karen.gill@cnu.edu
(757) 594-8428
 Caption: The book, "Figure Skating: A History," by CNU professor Jim Hines, is the first comprehensive history of the sport published since 1959. |
(NEWPORT NEWS, Va.) — Professor Jim Hines says that when he becomes interested in a subject, he reads everything he can find on it. That presented a problem in 1994. Hines’ interest in skating was rekindled following the media attention given the attack on figure skating star Nancy Kerrigan. The professor of music at Christopher Newport University discovered few serious books on the sport and only one badly out-of-date history published in 1959. As a former competitive skater with 40 years of experience in the performing arts, Hines thought, "Who better than me to rectify that?" Eight years of research and writing followed, and his efforts culminate this fall with the publication of “Figure Skating: A History.” Co-published by the University of Illinois Press and the World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo., the nearly 500-page book features 226 photographs, including ones of every world and Olympic champion since 1896 in a unique picture gallery. The book will soon be available from Amazon.com and in bookstores, and can be preordered on the website of the World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame, www.worldskatingmuseum.org. |
This comprehensive history of the sport traces its roots to ancient mythological tales and includes an extensive mention of skating in 12th century England. It covers national styles that developed in the 19th century as well as the athleticism and artistry of competition in the 20th. Appendices list all world and Olympic medalists through 2005, and the book is thoroughly indexed.
Growing up in Norfolk, where there was no ice rink, Hines became an active roller skater – competing, working, and building custom skates at the Mercury Roller Rink.
But his skating interests lie dormant for years as he attended college, married, raised a family and explored other interests. Hines started the Department of Music at CNU in 1975, and has taught 25 different courses, including the entire music theory and music history curriculums, and for years directed the CNU Choir. He describes himself as a jack-of-all-trades who will try everything once. For example, he built a harpsichord when CNU did not have one, and he built a summer home in Michigan.
Hines said one of the most enjoyable parts of his research has been meeting and talking with those who were involved in skating history, and he has met many, including the oldest living World champion, Cecilia Colledge. She won in 1937.
Christopher Newport University is a four-year public university in Newport News, Virginia. CNU enrolls 4,800 students in programs through its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Business and offers great teaching, small classes and an emphasis on leadership, civic engagement and honor. Visit us at www.cnu.edu.