User:Skatekool/Skate101

This article is about Philadelphia-based Skate 101 and its creator Jen Goldstein.

Skate 101

Skate 101 is the brainchild of Jen "Jenny Jen" Goldstein. Based on Goldstein's realization that beginner skaters make mistakes which can easily be prevented, the company was her simplified solution to saving hides and prides worldwide. With a motto like, “Save ya ass, take a class!” Goldstein took her teaching to the next level – and made it more fun – by putting together rhymes that included how-to instructions for her students. Paired with the one-man band, Taki76, the two formed Phat Sk8trax and churned out a number of tracks, including “The Boogie Back Rap,” which became the top ten single of the year in The Village Voice. The Boogie Back is the world’s only “how to skate backwards song.” Their songs are also the first and only “how to skate songs” in history. They can be heard on the radio, in skating rinks and clubs throughout the world.

File:Jennifer Goldstein 2005.jpg

History

Goldstein grew up in Gainesville, Florida. Although skating was a favorite childhood sport, it wasn’t until a trip to New York City in 1989 that Goldstein became hooked on rolling around town. After skating a loop through Central Park, Goldstein purchased a pair of skates and became a self-taught skating junkie. Skating influenced several aspects of her life, including her career at the esteemed Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where Goldstein used her skates to get around town during the 1998 SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) strike. Goldstein even convinced her professor to allow her to write her thesis – titled “The Development of a Product: In-line Skating” on the activity.

After graduation, Goldstein became a certified skate instructor and opened Philadelphia’s first and only skate school.

Famous Students

Goldstein has worked with thousands of students, including a few famous faces, such as actor John Cusack, basketball legend Julius Erving (Dr. J) and five-time Olympic Gold Medal speed skating champion Bonnie Blair.

File:Jennifer Goldstein XXL magazine.jpg

Media Appearances

Goldstein’s television appearances include Discovery Channel's "The Learning Channel," Comcast SportsNet, NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX news affiliates. She has also been featured in the world's biggest hip hop magazine, XXL Magazine, in addition to Health Magazine, Metro Newspaper, The Village Voice, Philadelphia Inquirer, Working Woman, Inside Magazine, Rinksider, USA Roller Sports, Art Museum News, Girard Home News, Philadelphia Magazine, Jewish Exponent, Business Philadelphia, Philadelphia Business Journal, Daily Pennsylvanian and Gazette Magazine. Book contributions include Connecting in Philadelphia, by Ruth Harvey, Ph.D. and In-Line Skating: The Ultimate How-to Guide, by Albert Fried-Cassorla.

Links

About.com, December 2008, The Beat Goes On In These Skating Lessons
Art Museum Area Home News, November 4, 2004, Learning to skate has never been easier
Bellevue Magazine, Summer Shape-Up
Business Philadelphia, Person-to-Person with Jen Goldstein
Daily Pennsylvanian, September 1992, Grad rolls on after her final thesis
Inside Magazine, Winter 1995, Skating Her Way to a Million
Metro Newspaper, Jen Goldstein keeps on rollin’
Philadelphia City Paper, July/August 2004, Clear the Rink
Philadelphia City Paper, October/November 1998, Best Skate Shop
Philadelphia Business Journal, October 1996, Goldstein turns a college thesis into fast-moving enterprise
Philadelphia Daily News, Her career is rolling in line
Philadelphia Inquirer, March, 24, 2005, Rollerblading into the Musical Scene
Philadelphia Magazine, May 1994, Go For It!: In-Line Skating
Rinksider, November/December 2004, Rolling Along
Rinksider, July/August 2005, Multi-talent Releases New CD
Rinksider, May/June 2008, Two new CDs make learning to skate funky and fun
Singles Magazine, September 1994, Roller Bladin’: Jennifer’s right in line with her business
Skate 101
Sporting Club News, May 1993, Bladin’ Action: Can a Middle-Aged Woman Find Happiness on Rollerblades?
The H-Files, May 2001, Do the Drive
The Pennsylvania Gazette, November/December 2005, The Funk and Physics of Skating
USA Roller Sport, Fall 2004, Boogie, Back … Phat!
Working Woman Magazine, October 1995, Rollerblading’s Fast Track
XXL Magazine, March 2007, Roll With It: Philly roller-skating teacher uses rap to stay grounded

References

Jen Goldstein
Skate 101