Alysa Liu Switches to Colorado Coaching Team

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

This coach change news makes me sad and people saying this is her last year of skating makes me even sadder!

I know I’m still wondering about that. Her first year of being a senior year skater is her final year?

 

[skatinggold]

I know I’m still wondering about that. Her first year of being a senior year skater is her final year?

Why would she waste her time in Figure Skating if all these teeny boppers are jumping quads. She got other important things to do in life like getting an education, fighting for equality, BLM, social justices, eating ice cream, sweets, and drinking boba.

 

[AnnM]

Well, I hope it works out for her despite history indicating otherwise when it comes to coaching changes this soon before Nats/Olys.

My personal unsupported by facts opinion is that the dad bought into the hype of her being an OGM contender after her first National title and has been in major denial since her growth spurt and jump difficulties. His planned timeline culminated in 2022 and he can't cope with a plan B. It's truly a shame he doesn't seem to appreciate what so many of us now see in her skating -- better expression, musicality, elegance, maturity, etc. I hope she continues to compete after this season.

 

[canbelto]

Why would she waste her time in Figure Skating if all these teeny boppers are jumping quads. She got other important things to do in life like getting an education, fighting for equality, BLM, social justices, eating ice cream, sweets, and drinking boba.

Um wtf? You sound really hostile towards her.

 

[VGThuy]

I have a feeling this is only meant to be a plan till the end of the season. Even if she continues to skate, I’m sure everything will be reevaluated. I don’t foresee the move having that much of an impact short term either way.

 

[skatfan]

This coach change news makes me sad and people saying this is her last year of skating makes me even sadder!

I just want to keep enjoying watching her joyful skating for years to come. I feel like she's just starting out and I want to see her continue to improve, so I am holding out hope that this year is not the end.

I am sad about the coaching change. Not so much about her wanting to go to college and stop skating competitively. Her dad has a number of children, and unless he's breaking even on the skating, I can't see how it is fair to the rest of family. That said, I will miss her if she does go in this direction.

 

[once_upon]

This seems to be to be a desperate attempt to get "results" for the Olympics season.

 

[overedge]

Maybe there is not enough top ranked skaters in Oakland to push Alysa to the next level. On Alysa's Tiktok, you can see that she is living a normal teenage life, hanging out with friends and eating ice cream which normal skater don't do.

A lot of elite athletes at that age claim to be living a normal teenage life. Which many of them aren't, given how focused they are (or their parents/team are) on maximizing their athletic potential.

Maybe her father wants her to focus on skating and only skating, there are too many distractions if she stayed in the Bay Area.

Distractions like having a normal teenage life?

 

[Skibean]

where did Alysa say this is her first and last year skating as a senior?
Where are people reading all the hype of Alysa supposedly winning or making the Olympic podium? I have yet to see any of this so called hype. Are people forgetting she didn’t make the US podium last year?
And lastly- how does a rumor of a coach change remind anyone of Michelle Kwan and Frank’s split…..not even on the same level.

 

[missing]

While I believe everything I read on the Internet (it's a time saver to do so), have there been any other sources for this?

But assuming that it's true, I can come up with a number of reasons I don't think have been offered.

Maybe Team Liu think such a move will increase Alysa's chances of winning Nationals. Three time national champion has a very fine ring to it.

Maybe they think it will increase her chance at a team medal or a better than bronze team medal. Three time national champion and Olympic team silver medalist has an even finer ring to it.

Maybe the dream isn't for an individual medal at the Olympics (which feels very much like a long shot) but a medal at Worlds. Post-Olympic Worlds is a strange and unpredictable competition, as Kimmie Meissner proves. Three time national champion, Olympic team silver medalist and World medalist has an extremely fine ring to it.

Maybe there's concern that Jeremy Abbott's crappy competitive nerves have been infecting Alysa.

Or maybe the University of Colorado has said Alysa can take a couple of courses for credit, giving her a head start on her bachelor's degree.

 

[Jammers]

While I believe everything I read on the Internet (it's a time saver to do so), have there been any other sources for this?

But assuming that it's true, I can come up with a number of reasons I don't think have been offered.

Maybe Team Liu think such a move will increase Alysa's chances of winning Nationals. Three time national champion has a very fine ring to it.

Maybe they think it will increase her chance at a team medal or a better than bronze team medal. Three time national champion and Olympic team silver medalist has an even finer ring to it.

Maybe the dream isn't for an individual medal at the Olympics (which feels very much like a long shot) but a medal at Worlds. Post-Olympic Worlds is a strange and unpredictable competition, as Kimmie Meissner proves. Three time national champion, Olympic team silver medalist and World medalist has an extremely fine ring to it.

Maybe there's concern that Jeremy Abbott's crappy competitive nerves have been infecting Alysa.

Or maybe the University of Colorado has said Alysa can take a couple of courses for credit, giving her a head start on her bachelor's degree.

Alysa has already won 3 competitions this year besides a coach can't affect a skaters competitive nerves if they did she would have had several meltdowns this season. As for being 3 time US champion and Olympic medalist she was already on that path with Jeremy and Massimo.

​

 

[Karen-W]

Or maybe the University of Colorado has said Alysa can take a couple of courses for credit, giving her a head start on her bachelor's degree.

While I'm sure that UCCS would be happy to accept her, the same can be said for just about any community or junior college of which there are several in the Bay Area, not to mention there are some excellent four-year universities who would be happy, I bet, to work with her (UC Berkeley, Cal State Hayward, San Jose State, Santa Clara, Stanford, SF State, USF, Sonoma State, UC Davis and Sac State are the major ones in NorCal that I can think of off the top of my head). She would get a fine start on her bachelor's degree at ANY of those universities.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I am sad about the coaching change. Not so much about her wanting to go to college and stop skating competitively. Her dad has a number of children, and unless he's breaking even on the skating, I can't see how it is fair to the rest of family. That said, I will miss her if she does go in this direction.

College is always available. Skating is not.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Well, I hope it works out for her despite history indicating otherwise when it comes to coaching changes this soon before Nats/Olys.

My personal unsupported by facts opinion is that the dad bought into the hype of her being an OGM contender after her first National title and has been in major denial since her growth spurt and jump difficulties. His planned timeline culminated in 2022 and he can't cope with a plan B. It's truly a shame he doesn't seem to appreciate what so many of us now see in her skating -- better expression, musicality, elegance, maturity, etc. I hope she continues to compete after this season.

Well, there's something based on nothing.

 

[MacMadame]

Maybe there's concern that Jeremy Abbott's crappy competitive nerves have been infecting Alysa.

The other stuff sounds plausible but I haven't seen her infected with crappy competitive nerves. She's pretty solid in that regard.

While I'm sure that UCCS would be happy to accept her, the same can be said for just about any community or junior college of which there are several in the Bay Area, not to mention there are some excellent four-year universities who would be happy, I bet, to work with her (UC Berkeley, Cal State Hayward, San Jose State, Santa Clara, Stanford, SF State, USF, Sonoma State, UC Davis and Sac State are the major ones in NorCal that I can think of off the top of my head). She would get a fine start on her bachelor's degree at ANY of those universities.

Sonoma State, UC David, and Sac State are too far away from the rink. [And Cal State Hayward changed their name to Cal State East Bay because Hayward is seen as low-rent. Or something.]

If it was me, I'd pick Stanford.

 

[Karen-W]

The other stuff sounds plausible but I haven't seen her infected with crappy competitive nerves. She's pretty solid in that regard.


Sonoma State, UC David, and Sac State are too far away from the rink. [And Cal State Hayward changed their name to Cal State East Bay because Hayward is seen as low-rent. Or something.]

If it was me, I'd pick Stanford.

Because Cal State East Bay somehow sounds LESS low-rent? j/k - I know there are plenty of pricey enclaves in the East Bay, but, really, changing the name is sort of like trying to sow a silk purse out of a pig's ear - everybody still KNOWS, lol.

I'd agree that Sonoma State, UC Davis & Sac State are all too far away but she's been enrolled with Connections Academy (I think, not 100% positive) and I'm sure all of them offer at least some online courses.

And who wouldn't pick Stanford? But, Santa Clara and Berkeley aren't exactly anything to sniff at; plus there is St Mary's right there in Moraga if she's looking for a smaller college experience.

 

[Vash01]

I have a feeling this is only meant to be a plan till the end of the season. Even if she continues to skate, I’m sure everything will be reevaluated. I don’t foresee the move having that much of an impact short term either way.

I hope you are right.

 

[Vash01]

While I believe everything I read on the Internet (it's a time saver to do so), have there been any other sources for this?

But assuming that it's true, I can come up with a number of reasons I don't think have been offered.

Maybe Team Liu think such a move will increase Alysa's chances of winning Nationals. Three time national champion has a very fine ring to it.

Maybe they think it will increase her chance at a team medal or a better than bronze team medal. Three time national champion and Olympic team silver medalist has an even finer ring to it.

Maybe the dream isn't for an individual medal at the Olympics (which feels very much like a long shot) but a medal at Worlds. Post-Olympic Worlds is a strange and unpredictable competition, as Kimmie Meissner proves. Three time national champion, Olympic team silver medalist and World medalist has an extremely fine ring to it.

Maybe there's concern that Jeremy Abbott's crappy competitive nerves have been infecting Alysa.

Or maybe the University of Colorado has said Alysa can take a couple of courses for credit, giving her a head start on her bachelor's degree.

Interesting perspective. Perhaps time will reveal what was the driving force behind this move, and whether it is likely to happen now- close to the Olympics- or next season, as a long term plan.

 

[overedge]

Where are people reading all the hype of Alysa supposedly winning or making the Olympic podium? I have yet to see any of this so called hype. Are people forgetting she didn’t make the US podium last year?

A “new” Alysa Liu in a good place for a transformative season

Liu, now 16, is in the best headspace of her career and displaying a more mature style of skating just in time for the Olympic season.

olympics.nbcsports.com

Meet Alysa Liu: 16-Year-Old Olympic Figure Skating Hopeful From the Bay Area

An East Bay figure skater has her eyes set on the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

www.nbcbayarea.com

Figure Skater Alysa Liu Says Balancing Sport and Social Life Is 'Easy' Because She Skates with Friends

Hopefully, in just under 100 days, Alysa Liu, 16, will be competing in her first Olympic Games as a member of Team USA's figure skating team

people.com

U.S. OLYMPIC HOPEFULS ALYSA LIU & VINCENT ZHOU HEADLINE NBC SPORTS’ COVERAGE OF GRAND PRIX JAPAN FIGURE SKATING THIS WEEKEND ACROSS NBC & PEACOCK - NBC Sports Pressbox

Live Competition Coverage Begins Tomorrow at 10:30 p.m. ET on Peacock NBC Presents Grand Prix Japan Coverage Sunday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. ET Every Skater in Every Discipline Streamed Live on Peacock NBC Sports Presents More Than 175 Hours of Figure Skating Coverage from October to April STAMFORD...

nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com

Alysa Liu: Youngest U.S. champ ever ready for senior international debut

The youngest skater to win the U.S. national championships, the now-16-year-old is ready for the step up to the senior ranks ahead of Beijing 2022, which has been her long-term goal.

olympics.com

I could go on, but you get the idea.

Now admittedly "Olympic hopeful" is not the same thing as "Olympic medalist", but the hype machine is already gearing up....

 

[skatingguy]

Are people forgetting she didn’t make the US podium last year?

Oh dear. I'm going to have to do it. It won't be pretty, but it has to be done.

She won the pewter medal.

 

[avivadawn]

This Alysa uber is just plain confused….l

 

[Colonel Green]

Oh dear. I'm going to have to do it. It won't be pretty, but it has to be done.

She won the pewter medal.

Don't let NBC's commentators hear about that, they like to pretend it doesn't exist.

 

[skatingguy]

Don't let NBC's commentators hear about that, they like to pretend it doesn't exist.

As they should.

 

[canbelto]

Well I've been combing TSL and other twitter accounts for news of this and can't find anything ...

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Maybe he's thinking the same thing Nathan Chen's mother was thinking right before his Olympic short program - she told him what jumps to do, he told Raf, and the rest his history.

Yes, this is pretty much my fear. I know Alysa is very much a long shot for an individual medal, but I especially hope she can have clean skates in both the team and individual events. Establish herself in the new quad as a future contender for medals at Worlds and perhaps the next Olympics! I hope that at the very least, Alysa keeps both of her programs for the Olympic season. She's a rookie senior and not experienced enough imo, to change her programs at the last second before the most major competition of her career. I hope this hasn't rattled her, and that she still skates lights out at Nationals - and hopefully at the Olympics.

I'm honestly bummed about this sudden coaching change. I think that Massimo and Jeremy were doing great things with Alysa. She improved so much. But it's still very much a work in progress. They needed more time. It's going to take at least another season imo, or possibly a bit longer, for Alysa to show great improvement in her jumps.

 

[Karen-W]

Well I've been combing TSL and other twitter accounts for news of this and can't find anything ...

They're probably trying to confirm the information themselves.

 

[Rukia]

Well I've been combing TSL and other twitter accounts for news of this and can't find anything ...

Someone did link this thread so hello Twitter friends. Have some ice cream and boba.

 

[misskarne]

Well I've been combing TSL and other twitter accounts for news of this and can't find anything ...

I trust Tony far more than I trust those gossip-mongering assholes.

 

[Willin]

As a couple of US insiders have said for a while, this is almost certainly USFS again, not her Dad... But I think a crazy Dad is a lot more exciting story for folks on the forum than USFS messing with coaching situations.

 

[Rukia]

As a couple of US insiders have said for a while, this is almost certainly USFS again, not her Dad... But I think a crazy Dad is a lot more exciting story for folks on the forum than USFS messing with coaching situations.

Lol if it is USFS then they're going to have to reap what they sow. I hope they enjoy it.