DeGirolamo, Shoker to be Inducted into PSA Hall of Fame

Miami Synchronized Skating coaches Carla DeGirolamo and Lee Ann Shoker will be inducted into the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) Hall of Fame on May 15, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colo. DeGirolamo and Shoker are just the fourth synchronized skating coaches to earn this prestigious coaching honor, joining former Miami University head coach Vicki Korn (2020), and Lynn Benson (2007) and Saga Krantz (2023) from the Haydenettes. This is noted as one of the highest honors in skating in the coaching industry.

IIn addition to DeGirolamo and Shoker, the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees include Tammy Gambill and Phillip Mills, while the 2024 Hall of Fame contributors are Charlie Cyr, Gerry Lane, Judy Lund Thomas and Caroline Silby.

Both products of the program during their undergraduate years, DeGirolamo and Shoker have combined for nearly 40 years on the RedHawk synchronized skating staff. DeGirolamo's coaching stint at Miami spanned 21 years, including the last 15 as head coach. Shoker spent 18 seasons on staff with the program. The duo stepped down from leading the Miami Skating program following the 2023-24 season to each pursue new endeavors.

Following a decorated four-year career as a skater for Miami from 1999-2002, DeGirolamo spent seven seasons as an assistant coach in the program under Korn, serving as the head coach of the junior team from 2006-09. She was the top assistant coach for the senior team from 2004-09 after serving as head coach of the collegiate team her first full-time season on staff. She was a volunteer assistant with the program during the 2002-03 season. DeGirolamo assumed the reins of the program in June 2009 following Korn's retirement.

During DeGirolamo's time as head coach, the RedHawks won 11 collegiate national championships (2010-16, 2019, 2022-24) while the senior team qualified for the World Championships six times (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023). The final two World Championship appearances were among the top four finishes for the RedHawks at the event, placing sixth each year.

Over the course of her entire time with the Miami coaching staff, the RedHawks won a combined 17 national championships (2 senior; 15 collegiate) and qualified for the World Championships nine times, achieving a silver medal with Team USA in 2007, the first medal finish at the World Championships by a U.S. team and tied for the highest finish at the event by a U.S. team. She also helped the collegiate team to a record-breaking string of 12-consecutive national titles from 2005-2016.

Shoker spent 18 seasons with the Miami Synchronized Skating program, including 16 as an assistant coach. During her time on staff at Miami, Shoker helped coach seven RedHawk senior teams that qualified for the World Championships, including the 2007 World Silver Medalists and the 2009 National Championship team. She also has helped the collegiate team win 14 national titles—including a large part of the record-breaking string of 12 national titles—as an assistant coach.

Off the ice, one of DeGirolamo and Shoker's crowning achievements was the establishment of the Vicki Korn Fund to honor Korn's legacy and the impact she had on the Miami Synchronized Skating program. This fund has a direct impact on Synchronized Skating student-athletes by ensuring the future of the Synchronized Skating program at Miami University. Vicki Korn Fund

DeGirolamo is a 2003 graduate of Miami University, while Shoker is a 1996 Miami University graduate. DeGirolamo, a two-time captain who skated four years on the senior team, was a member of the program's first national title team at the senior level in 1998-99. Shoker skated for Miami for four years, including the first varsity team in 1995-96.

DeGirolamo, Shoker to be Inducted into PSA Hall of Fame

Related Videos