1985 US Figure Skating Pins: In the Middle.

Last Updated on June 28, 2025 by Netropolitan Museum

A hybrid boot, a skating penguin, and a championship at the heart of America

Starting January 30, 1985, Kansas City, Missouri, took center stage as host of the 1985 US Figure Skating Championships, marked by two small event pins that captured the flair and spirit of the competition. Over four action-packed days, fans and skaters filled Kemper Arena—just a stone’s throw from the winding Kansas River. The city became a true skating hotspot, setting attendance records that reflected the growing popularity of the sport.

Like several U.S. Figure Skating Championships pins from the 1970s and 1980s, the main logo pin from 1985 proudly shows a national patriotism. This quirky design mashes up a cowboy boot with a white figure skating boot and blade, creating a tall, unusual boot that’s as unique as the event itself. It’s a nod to the Midwest’s rugged roots mixed with the elegance of the sport.

Pins Gallery: 1985 US Figure Skating Championships

The crisp white boot pops against a shiny gold base metal, with the bottom set against a blue banner that reads “85 Nationals Kansas City.” A tiny heart sits between “Kansas” and “City,” a reference to the city’s nickname as America’s “heart.” And true to the casual style of many U.S. Championships pins, the word “Nationals” takes center ice instead of the formal event name.

Also showing in today’s collection is the event mascot pin, starring Kaycee—the slightly quirky penguin who sports strap-on skates like a pro. Kaycee may be a bit whimsical, but mascots like this give fans a playful figure to rally behind (or despise, as many did Kaycee). This pin throws tradition to the wind with a splash of five enamel colors—blue, black, white, yellow, and red—the most ever packed into a U.S. Championships pin at the time. The border reads “Nationals in Kansas City 85,” with that familiar heart symbol again making an appearance.

Collecting pins like these is a way for fans to hold onto a piece of figure skating’s rich history. The 1985 US Figure Skating pins tell a story of a championship held “in the middle” of America that brought together sport, culture, and community spirit in a memorable way. Whether displayed on a lapel, in a case, or shared among collectors, these pins remain vibrant reminders of a specific events past.

This blog was originally published at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins on August 28, 2021, and has been updated with new and expanded information.

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