When the late German ice skating and roller skating champion Robert Unger held his first in-house ice skating competition in 1969, it was the start of something big. Even Mr. Unger, manager and owner of the Ice Chalet in Knoxville, Tenn., probably didn’t envision, at the time, that his idea of an inclusive competition for recreational ice skaters would grow into today’s ISI national events, which are open to skaters from across the country and world.
“The first competition had practically no rules except good sportsmanship, ethics and the attitude that ‘this is not the last day of your life,’” said Mr. Unger in 2001. “I remember giving seminars on sportsmanship and team spirit. People would be concerned that I did not cover technical questions. My attitude was that all questions or arguments could be solved in the spirit of friendship.”
The importance of good sportsmanship, building friendships, ethical behavior and team spirit are a critical part of the ISI philosophy, along with the Mr. Unger philosophy of “something for everyone.”
In recognition of the vital role good sportsmanship plays in skating, the Ice Sports Industry issued its first “ISI Good Sport Award” at the 1994 World Recreational Team Championships in Chicago. The tradition continues today at all ISI national events.
Each participating rink and/or club is invited to select and present to ISI one representative from each of their teams to receive this prestigious award. (Good Sport Award forms are emailed to coaches prior to ISI national events.)
Qualifications for the award include:
Recipient must be:
- An individual member of the ISI for a minimum of three years
- Entered in the competition where the certificate will be awarded
- A positive representative for their rink and the community where the skater resides
Recipient must have participated in:
- The ISI program for a minimum of two years
- At least one inter-rink (two or more rinks) competition in the past year
- At least one exhibition/ice show during the past year
Recipient must fulfill the criteria as listed in the ISI Skater Creed, below:
ISI Skater Creed
by Justine Townsend, ISI executive director, 1981-1995
I will try to do my own personal best.
I will support and encourage my fellow teammates.
I will make three new friends at this competition from ice rinks other than my own.
I will be a good representative for my home rink team.
I will skate at my own true level of ability.
I will be modest in victory.
I will be gracious in defeat.
I will not focus on winning but on participation and enjoyment of skating.
Recipient Recognition
The names of the Good Sport Award recipients are printed in the event program book (coaches must submit names by the program book deadline) and may also appear elsewhere. Recipients are awarded with certificates at the event; coaches must submit names by the certificate print deadline.
Good sportsmanship is critical to the success of individuals and teams — on the ice, off the ice and throughout life. By awarding ISI Good Sport Award certificates, ISI hopes to support good sportsmanship and to give recognition to deserving ISI members — members who serve as role models for the ISI philosophy and program.
Read about Alysa Lui’s Olympic gold medal win and heartwarming display of sportsmanship at the 2026 Winter Games!
Life Lessons from Sports
“The greatest things that sports has to offer is character development. You’ve got to learn to lose before you can ever win. If you win all the time, you don’t really get anything out of the sport. You’ve got to be able to lose and win with the same level of dignity. And that’s the way it is with life in general. It’s often a challenge, but that’s what makes it interesting and worth living.”
Scott Hamilton, Olympic gold medalist, four-time World and U.S. champion, inductee several halls of fame (U.S. Olympic, World Figure Skating, U.S. Figure Skating and ISI Ice Skating)
“I didn’t get into the skating world just to win the Olympics or win lots of money. I really just came into skating to have fun, to look at it as a sport, to improve and work hard and see that hard work pay off.”
Michelle Kwan, two-time Olympic medalist (silver, bronze), nine-time World medalist and nine-time U.S. champion
“… how you win is great. But how you lose is so important.”
Kurt Browning, Olympian, four-time World champion and four-time Canadian champion
“It doesn’t matter that we happen to be decent figure skaters. What does matter is that we strive to be good people.”
Tessa Virtue, five-time Olympic medalist (3 gold, two silver) with ice dance partner Scott Moir
