James Grogan
James David "Jim" Grogan ( born December 7, 1931 in Tacoma, Washington; † July 2, 2000 in San Bernardino, California ) was an American figure skater, who started in a single run.
Life
In the years 1951-1954 he was four times vice-champion, always behind countrymen, only twice in Richard Button, then twice in Hayes Alan Jenkins. In the 1952 Olympics he won the bronze medal. Grogan was coached by Edi Scholdan in the Broadmoor Arena in Colorado Springs.
After his resignation, he participated in Ice Capades at Arthur Wirtzs revue "Hollywood Ice Review" and from 1956. He served in the U.S. Army, where figure skating was part of his duty. His basic training was interrupted when Sonja Henie chose him to perform with her in Europe before the troops. In the 1960s, Grogan was head of James Grogan Skating School in Squaw Valley, after which he worked as a trainer in the U.S. and Japan. His students included Nobuo Sato, Midori Ito, Charles Tickner.
He was an Olympic gold medalist and multiple world champion in pair skating, Barbara Wagner, married. They were divorced again.
Grogan died unexpectedly at the age of 68 sudden multiple organ failure. He left behind his wife, Yasuko, and a son and a daughter.