US Speedskating Announces 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees
RICHMOND, Virginia (April 29, 2010) - The US Speedskating Hall of Fame is pleased announce this year’s honorees — contributor Duane Riley and classical era skater Mario Trafeli. Riley and Trafeli will be welcomed into the US Speedskating Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, VA.
Olympic legend Bonnie Blair-Cruikshank serves as US Speedskating’s Hall of Fame Committee Chairperson and oversees the annual election of Hall of Fame inductees by US Speedskating’s membership.
Since its inception in 1960, the US Speedskating Hall of Fame has honored more than 90 skaters for their excellence in athletic achievement in the sport of speedskating, and 60 contributors for their innovative contributions to the sport and dedication to the speedskating community. Riley and Trafeli join an inspiring roster of honorees including Jack Shea, Dan Jansen, Eric Heiden, Cathy Turner and Blair-Cruikshank. US Speedskating is honored to salute Riley and Trafeli who have dedicated a large part of their lives to the sport of speedskating through continual support, an enthusiastic spirit and optimism for the future of our sport.
Blair-Cruikshank looks forward to celebrating the achievements of the 2010 inductees. “Duane who is someone who has done it all,” says Blair-Cruikshank. “He first got into the sport as an athlete, but then has given back to the sport through volunteering locally all the way to the Olympics, he is very deserving of becoming a Hall of Fame member”
“Mario is really a trend setter by being one of the first to put his hand on the ice to help navigate the turns in short track, explains Blair-Cruikshank. “What officials once wanted to deter, is now common practice in our sport. Mario has been an athlete all his life but has a special place in his heart for our sport. We are delighted to recognize Mario for his tireless enthusiasm for, and achievements in the sport of speedskating.”
Riley and Trafeli’s biographies follow. For additional information, please contact Linda Jager at 435-901-2311 or linda.jager@comcast.net.
Duane Riley - Contributor
Growing up in Madison, WI, Duane Riley was never far from an ice rink. In 1946, at the age of eight, Duane first tried speedskating at a neighborhood rink.
“I always enjoyed competition and it was a series of races organized by the city — east side vs. west side — that drew me to the sport.”
Speedskating soon became a family affair as Duane’s parents, eager to support their son’s new sport, restarted the Madison Speed Skating Club. “Thanks to my parent’s involvement, I was able to train and skate with some of speedskating’s greats including Bill Carow and members of the 1956 and 1960 Olympic team.” Duane went on to win numerous medals competing on the Amateur Speedskating Union (ASU) circuit, including U.S. Nationals and the North American Championships.
Following his successful skating career, Duane married Elayne in 1959 and had three children. When his children began skating in 1965, Duane returned to the ice, however this time as an official. Quickly rising in the officiating ranks, Duane became a National Assistant Referee in 1973, then a National Referee in 1980. Soon, he became an International Speedskating Union (ISU) Championship Referee working numerous World Cup and World Championship events, and officiated at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano.
In addition to his officiating role, Duane worked as a firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Madison Fire Department for 23 years, and spent an additional 15 years as an armed guard for Brinks Armored Cars.
A committed volunteer, Duane became a member of the Madison Speed Skating Club in 1964, serving as its president, and is still active with the club today. He was vice president of the ASU for six years, serving as the organization’s president for two years, and was instrumental in ASU’s transition to US Speedskating. Duane also devotes countless hours to coaching children with intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics’ speedskating programs.
Off the ice, Duane enjoys spending time with Elayne, also a prominent speedskating official, and his family in Sun Prairie, WI. He enjoys softball, football, and relaxing on his houseboat along the Mississippi River.
“Perhaps one of the greatest takeaways I’ve had from my involvement with this sport has been the friendships I’ve developed with the people I’ve worked with. It has been an honor to watch athletes like Eric and Beth Heiden, Dan Jansen, Casey FitzRandolph, and most recently Apolo Anton Ohno, grow up in this sport.”
Looking ahead Duane sees much growth on the horizon for the sport of speedskating. “It’s one of the greatest sports to get involved in. There’s something in it for the whole family. If you have young children competing, as a parent you can get involved as a coach or an official. I am thankful that my family has had the opportunity to be involved in the sport at so many levels.”
Mario Trafeli - Classical Era Skater
A native of Detroit, MI, Mario Trafeli first stepped on the ice at age 14 to try short track speedskating.
“I always loved sports, playing sports and competing in sports. As a young teen several of my friends were taking up speedskating. They asked me to join them. It was fun and I progressed rapidly. However, it was the discriminatory treatment that my family received as Italian Americans that motivated me to take skating to the next level. To excel and show that Italian Americans were capable of exceeding with integrity at the highest levels of competition and achievement.”
Success on the ice came quickly for Mario as he was nationally ranked by age 15. He soon emerged as the youngest winner, first Detroiter, and first Italian American to win the North American Outdoor Speedskating Championship against the top Canadian and American skaters. During his 12 year skating career, Mario went on to win the Michigan Indoor title six times, held many Michigan state records for various age groups, won the Silver Skates Tournament of Detroit, St Louis and Chicago. He was the 1952 and 1954 winner of the two-mile prestigious Invitational “Race of Champions” held at Madison Square Garden in New York. He was winner of more than 40 tournaments and set five national speed records.
With a professional career in his sights, Mario did his undergraduate studies at Wayne State University where he also played Quarterback for the Tartars. He graduated from The University of Detroit Dental School and later served as a Navy dentist. He skated through college and dental school and even worked in some time to skate and win the Silver Skates in Chicago in 1955 while serving in the Navy.
In 1960, Mario came out of a four-year retirement to win the Michigan Veteran’s title, where he won three of four races and set two more records. Mario then hung up his competition skates and became a State and National referee, as well as a Michigan delegate to the ASU convention for many years.
In 1982 he was inducted into the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame and also received a State of Michigan Senate Resolution for his contributions to Michigan Athletics. In February 2010, Mario was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and became their first Speedskating inductee.
Mario married his dental school sweetheart, Marjorie Busch, and together they had six children. Mario and Marjorie currently reside in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
In addition to his continued support of speedskating, Mario’s pursuits off the ice have included owning and training thoroughbred horses and golfing. At the age of 48, Mario took up the game of tennis. In 34 years of competitive tennis, Mario has consistently held numerous top rankings including SEMTA Singles and USTA Midwest Singles Champ and is currently a member of the #1 USTA Midwest Doubles Team, age 80 and over. Mario’s love of competition, strategic playing and good knees still contribute to his winning style!
“Skating has influenced so much in my life. I have so many great memories. It brought great pride to my family and to my city. It afforded me the opportunity to travel and meet exciting people. I am so grateful to have been a part of its history.”