We received the sad news that Jim Pollard, truly friend to many and dedicated sportsman, has passed away on March 25, 2017 at his home. His roller skating history is astounding and hard to summarize without failing to recognize his accomplishments. He dedicated his entire adult life to the sport and to its participants, both in the United States and internationally.

Since 1953, when he began skating, he devoted his life to the roller sports covering high roles in both the National and International Federation. As President of CIPA - now ATC - since 1984 till 2013 he worked hard for development of the discipline throughout the world.

FIRS sincere condolences go out to to his wife Suzie and their children Jimmy, Leslie, Mark and Brenda.

Jim's memory will go on in our minds and in our hearts.

JAMES A. POLLARD
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA
September 1, 1937 - March 25, 2017

1953 Began skating in Oakland California, and skated in RSROA competitions until 1957
1957 Joined the SRSTA and began teaching and did so until the 1990's.
1965-1970's Served as a member of the RSROA Freeskating and test committee
1970 Became a member of the RSROA as a rink operator
1973 - 1976 Past Chairman of the SRSTC of the Southwest Pacific Region
1973 RSROA/SRSTA Teacher of the Year
1973 Became a member of the USARS Board of Directors and Executive Committee
1973 In charge of the National School for Pan American Skaters, Redwood City California
1973 Began seminars for South American coaches and officials to upgrade them to World Class levels
1976 Received the USARS Hall of Fame Award
1976 Served as Assistant Meet Director for the US Nationals under the guidance of Elmer Ringeisen and became the director until 2007
1979 Helped with the development of the Junior Olympic program
1979 Received the RSROA Attaway Award for Special Olympics
1980's Chairman of the USARS Figure Committee (and later served as a Senior Advisor)
Judged countless numbers of USARS Regional Championships
President of the Southwest Pacific USARS Regional Association
Served as delegate to USOC for Roller Sports with Marie Walker
1980 Traveled with M.M Shattuck through South America to meet with the South American Confederations and their Olympic Committees, helping to prepare him to take on these responsibilities when Mr. Shattuck retired.
1981 Served on the first World Games Organizing Committee in Santa Clara, California.
1983 President of the Pan American Confederation of Roller Sports until 1987
1983 Received the M.M. Shattuck Award for service to USARS
1984 Became President of CIPA and a member of the FIRS Executive Committee
1984 Became the representative for Roller Sports at all PASO Congresses and special meetings for the Pan American Games
1984 Traveled to China to help them become a member of FIRS and a member of CARS to begin development of membership in the Asian Games.
1985 Traveled with Budd Van Roekel, President of FIRS, and Charles Wahlig to have seminars for artistic and speed skating. This was sponsored by FIRS/USARS for all teams from South America to prepare for the 1987 Pan American Games in the USA.
1988 Became president of the CPRS roller figure skating committee
1988 Worked with Charles Wahlig doing skate camps in figure/speed/hockey to prepare Cuba for roller sports for our inclusion in the 2003 Pan American Games in Cuba.
1990's Helped with the development of the skating academies at the OTC for US and international; skaters (with Gary Castro and Don Gates)
Served with Gary Castro in the redevelopment of our participation in the Pan American Games for Winnipeg, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Rio de Janeiro
1996 Inducted into the USARS Distinguished Service Hall of Fame
1998 Received Charles Wahlig Life Membership in USARS
2000 Worked with the Olympic Committee of Dominican Republic for the development of roller sports in that country for our inclusion in the Games
2004 Received an award from the city and county of Fresno, California, for outstanding service with Regional, Gold Skate, Nationals and World competitions for the city.
2005 Received Skate Australia Federation award for contribution to the sport
2006 Became advisor to the USARS Figure Technical Committee
2007 Appointed Senior Advisor to the US Nationals
2008 Received the USARS Gordon B. Van Roekel Lifetime Service award.
2008 Received CBHP Brazil award for service to the South American Federations for seminars for officials and coaches
2009 Received a special award for 25 years of service as President of CIPA.