PDF of the Winter Athletic Awards Booklet - The Loomis Chaffee ...

It was in Madison that Mary began coaching the two Heiden children, Beth and Eric. In
1964, Mary was certified as an Olympic coach. Her family moved to Connecticut in 1967
when Bill took a university position, but the family summered in Madison and kept in
constant contact with the Heidens — Jack and Nancy Heiden and Bill and Mary remained
close friends. At the 1980 Olympics, Mary and her husband Bill worked as chief ushers
for the hockey games and the figure skating. Their two sons, then 17 and 12, worked on
the speed skating oval, and we were all outfitted with both indoor and outdoor Olympic
uniforms! Though Mary wasn’t officially coaching the Heidens at that time, they saw and
talked to each other a number of times. In Mary’s words, “It was an experience I will
never forget. It was a wonderful time in my life, and I have so many great memories.”
Mary noted that her husband Bill became an expert on sharpening her skates. Both of
their boys also competed in speed skating. Dave made the semifinals for the 1980
Olympic team, and John competed in the final round for the 1984 team. Neither made the
final team, but Dave set a national record in the 1500‐meter distance, and John was a
national indoor champion in 1981.”