Five ways to popularize skating

1

Add hip-hop: Olympic ice dance silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto of Canton, Mich., advocate adding a new rhythm to original dance.

2

More variety: “Broaden the music selection and you’ll attract a younger audience. Go out and skate to Eminem and have the crowd get into it.” – Former six-time U.S. men’s champion Todd Eldredge of Rochester Hills, Mich., who’s currently touring with Stars on Ice.

3

Better marketing: “We need exposure. Tap into a show that’s already on and put one of our skaters on it, like put Michelle Kwan on ‘The Apprentice,’ Johnny Weir on Martha Stewart, Alissa (Czisny) on Ellen DeGeneres.” – Julianne Berlin, Detroit Skating Club coach.

4

Push ice dancing: “American ice dancing is one the rise, with Tanith and Ben being so successful. It wouldn’t hurt to push that a little bit.” – Ice dancer Meryl Davis.

5

Weir adds flavor: “Let Johnny Weir be Johnny Weir. The more you shut it out, the more you shut out people who identify with him. He’s different. We should embrace that.” – Former U.S. ice dance champion Jerod Swallow on Weir, three-time U.S. men’s champion who has a propensity to say whatever’s on his mind.