One of Troy Goldstein's most fond memories of his impressive skating career — that's now spanned nearly five decades — was winning the 1990 U.S. Collegiate Figure Skating Championships in Lake Placid, New York.

His three years competing at the event served as a springboard to a notable competitive career in which he won three international medals and became the first and only skater in U.S. history to compete in four separate senior events at the U.S. Championships: men's, pairs, ice dance and figures. It also helped pave the way for a dazzling professional career — he headlined the award-winning show "Splash" on the Las Vegas Strip and starred as Hercules in Disney on Ice's Hercules tour — as well as decades of service as an official.

An Olympic and World technical specialist, the California native has served in virtually every capacity within U.S. Figure Skating's governance and is currently the organization's ISU representative.

"Nothing compared to competing in Lake Placid," Goldstein, who today is an executive in New York City's financial district, said. "It is the home of the Miracle on Ice, but for me it was also the place where I had watched so many of my skating mentors, and later friends, take the ice at the Olympic Games."

"Watching that [1980] Olympics so inspired my own skating journey and to be competing at the National Collegiate Championships in that same Olympic venue was so exciting. I truly believe that having those memories in the bank pushed me to the level of success I had that week. It was incredible."

At the 1990 U.S. Collegiate Championships, 88 skaters representing 22 states and 53 colleges, competed in 12 events. Goldstein won the men's figures and men's free skate which were separate events, and placed second in pairs with his sister, Dawn.
 
"Winning the National Collegiate Championships and having my name added to the championship plaque at my home club rink of Pickwick was one of the best moments of my skating career," he said. "To see my name just below my good friend Todd Sand's, who had won the title before me from the same club, made it even more special.

"Being a collegiate athlete was something that allowed me to be recognized by my university and provided a bit of a buffer for me when I had to travel for sectionals, nationals and overseas for international competitions. School was so important in my family as my mom [Dee] was not only our coach, but both my mom and dad achieved the highest levels of education in math and physics."

Goldstein started down the path of becoming a judge while in college.

"The last test I ever trial-judged was Michelle Kwan's novice free skate," he said.

Goldstein, however, changed lanes and became a technical official, in which he's reached the highest level.

"My sister has loved judging and has enjoyed her own path all the way to the ISU level," Goldstein said.

Goldstein encourages today's young skaters to keep an open mind on the many ways they can stay involved in the sport they love.

"Becoming a judge or official keeps you connected to a sport that has impacted your life in a meaningful way," he said. "It is a way to give back to skating while staying close to the people, memories and friendships that shaped you. You can do it at your own pace and around your current responsibilities, which makes it a great way to remain involved in the sport over time."

The lifelong friendships Goldstein formed while skating in high school and college remain central to his happiness. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he trained across Southern California as a member of the Los Angeles FSC.

"Some of my lifelong friendships go back to those early days and early mornings at the rink," he said. "There were relationships that began as mentorships and turned into friendships, with people like David Santee, Scott Hamilton, who taught me his own 'New York New York' program when I was just a little kid; Peter Curruthers, Tai [Babilonia] and Randy [Gardner], Robin Cousins and JoJo Starbuck.

"Then there were the skaters I was in the trenches with, or competed against, who remain friends today — Jenni Meno and Todd Sand, Erik Larson, Brian Boitano, Paul Wylie, Peter Cain, Rocky Marval and Sharon Carz. As I think back, we had this little group at Pickwick when I trained certain days of Todd [Sand], Chris Bowman, Keith King, Tiffany Chin and Craig Heath. Those were some fun times."

The 2026 U.S. Collegiate Championships and U.S. Collegiate Invitational, set for July 17-19 in Richfield, Minnesota, will mark the last time this event will be held as a standalone competition. 

A total of 74 athletes will compete for medals and scholarships inside the Richfield Ice Arena.

To catch all the action and results, click here.