Retired Fullerton Figure Skating Coach Reflects on Lifelong Passion

Kay Rollins, who became a professional coach in the 1950s, shares her unique perspective on the evolution of the sport ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Kay Rollins, a resident of Fullerton, California, has been involved in figure skating for nearly 80 years. She became a professional coach in the 1950s at the age of 17 and went on to have a successful career, coaching young skaters while also raising a family. As she watches the 2026 Winter Olympics, Rollins offers a unique perspective on the sport, noting the incredible advancements in difficulty with jumps and spins compared to her own skating days.

Why it matters

Rollins' story highlights the remarkable journey of a woman who pursued her passion for figure skating at a time when many women were expected to become wives and mothers. Her career path as a pioneering female coach also speaks to the evolving role of women in sports. As the sport of figure skating continues to progress, Rollins' insights offer a valuable historical perspective.

The details

Born in England in 1935, Rollins immigrated to Canada in 1946 where she was first introduced to ice skating by her stepfather, a hockey coach. Despite initial struggles, Rollins soon became a competitive figure skater and went on to become a professional coach at the age of 17. For decades, she juggled coaching duties with raising a family, all while witnessing the dramatic evolution of the sport, particularly the increasing difficulty of jumps and spins performed by today's Olympic-level skaters.

  • Rollins began skating nearly 80 years ago.
  • She became a professional figure skating coach in the 1950s at the age of 17.
  • Rollins is currently watching the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.

The players

Kay Rollins

A resident of Fullerton, California who has been involved in figure skating for nearly 80 years, becoming a professional coach in the 1950s.

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What they’re saying

“On the landing, you're looking for a clean line out on the blade — not the scratchy toe.”

— Kay Rollins, Retired Figure Skating Coach (NBC Los Angeles)

“I can tell when they take off. I can tell by their body, whether they're going to land that jump or not.”

— Kay Rollins, Retired Figure Skating Coach (NBC Los Angeles)

What’s next

Rollins hopes that some of the top figure skaters competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics will go on to become coaches themselves, as the sport will need their expertise in the future.

The takeaway

Kay Rollins' lifelong passion for figure skating and her pioneering career as a female coach in the 1950s offer a unique historical perspective on the evolution of the sport. Her insights highlight the remarkable progress in technical difficulty, as well as the changing role of women in athletics over the past several decades.