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.



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.



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 ''