The Bobby Black Legacy
A beloved coach and friend to countless Club members for over 25 years, Bobby inspired a whole generation of Club members to be their best, both on and off the ice.
Bobby grew up skating at the Club in the 1960’s, and along with fellow competitors and cohorts, Paul McGrath and Paul Toomey, represented the Club in local and national competition. He was the 1964 U.S. Novice champion, and came second to Paul McGrath to win the Junior men’s silver medal at the 1965 U.S. Championships. Bobby went on to Tufts University, and while a student, coached at the Club part-time. During the 70’s and 80’s Bobby coached full time, and (along with current Club coach, Ronna Gladstone), was one of the leading competitive coaches at the time. Young, dynamic and with abundant enthusiasm for the sport and his students, Bobby defined competitive skating for generations of skaters of every age. In addition to singles skating, Bobby also coached precision skating (the predecessor of synchronized skating) and choreographed his share of memorable precision skating routines in Ice Chips, including Hello Dolly!, Mame and A Chorus Line. Bobby gave 100% of himself to his work and his students, and encouraged and supported them all during their years at the Club.
Bobby passed away in 1989 at a very young age. His surviving partner, Dr. Peter Paige, passed away in 2014. Before he died, Peter donated $100,000 to the Club to name the future coaches lounge, the Robert L. Black Coaches Lounge. Peter’s hope was that his donation would be matched by other Club members who had grown up with Bobby, taken lessons from Bobby, or been inspired by Bobby, meeting the challenge and raising another $100,000.
Join Peter and others to cement Bobby’s legacy for the next 100 years by making a gift supporting The Skating Club of Boston’s new facility in Norwood, MA in his memory. Your support will ensure that his unique legacy, and imprint on so many, are kept alive for the next generation of Club dreamers, champions and future legacies.