ASAI has a long tradition of supporting speedskating in Illinois. Confirmed association records can still be added, but the club and sport milestones now give the page a stronger starting point.
ASAI's formal name is the Amateur Skating Association of Illinois. The exact founding date, early board records, and archived documents should be confirmed by ASAI before this page is treated as official history.
To be confirmed
ASAI timeline
The association's formal founding date still needs confirmation from ASAI records. Public references identify the organization as the Amateur Skating Association of Illinois.
1938
Club timeline
Glen Ellyn Speedskating traces its club history to 1938 and remains one of Illinois' long-running speedskating programs.
1952
Club timeline
Northbrook Speed Skating Club traces its roots to 1952. Public club history notes a Northbrook speed skater in every Winter Olympics from 1952 through 2018.
1968
Club timeline
Park Ridge Speedskating Club history identifies Rich Widmark and Dick Wellbank as founders and connects the club to Olympians including Nancy Swider-Peltz Sr., Mark Greenwald, and Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr.
1976
Milestones
Research notes Champaign, Illinois as the site of the first World Short Track competition, a major milestone in the sport's history.
1963-1972
Milestones
Research found early public evidence tied to Larry Ralston and later Amateur Skating Union convention minutes. Original ASAI records should be reviewed before publication as official history.
2026
Milestones
The new site becomes the public hub for clubs, events, membership, records, history, and statewide communication.
Known club founding details and researched history notes are shown where available.
Champaign
Franklin Park
Glen Ellyn / Hoffman Estates
Northbrook
Park Ridge
Add compressed preview images and external album links for archive collections.
Early ASAI meets
Club teams
Illinois milestones
