In the end I think Debi, as well as the rest of us learn some really valuable life lessons, especially through hardship. McGowan, who now coaches at a rink outside Detroit, has been reluctant to respond to Thomas comments. Inducted into the San Jose [California] Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. It was a struggle. In 2015, Debi made headlines and grabbed national attention once again when she appeared in an episode of OWNs Iyanla: Fix My Life to made her struggles public. As the first black skater to achieve international, or even national, prominence, she was a champion, however reluctant, of minorities. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Afterwards Thomas earned an engineering degree at Stanford and then attended medical school at Northwestern University in Illinois and became a physician. I told him that I was really bored with skating, and he said, How can you not be excited about this? By the time I got to the Olympics, I was burned out.. BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Former world figure skating champion Debi Thomas married two weeks ago and kept the news a secret - even from her coach. Your email address will not be published. The couple resides in sout-west Virginia in what is rumoured to be a somewhat difficult relationship. Structural Info Facts African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, http://www.espn.com/skating/news/2000/0209/345701.html, http://blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/the_state_of_black_america_news/16253, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. For her, everything had to be done with excellence.. However, when Debi got tired of jumping from job to job and decided to open her practice in Richlands, Virginia, she moved by herself and left her husband and son behind. But dont call her the GOAT, Elliott: Nathan Chens fire still burns thanks to his mother and others who inspire him, 2022 Beijing Olympics: A day-by-day recap of the 24th Winter Games, Elliott: U.S.-Canada Rivalry Series shows how womens hockey needs more support to flourish, Elliott: Cayla Barnes golden career finally skates home to SoCal in USA-Canada series, Elliott: My medals are my armor. Jordan Chiles persistence guides her pursuit of greatness. His first husband was Brian Vander Hogen (1988-96), then she was married to sports attorney Chris Bequette (1996-98), with whom she has a son. 101 Followers, 175 Following, 14 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Brian Vanden Hogen (@bvandenhogen) Thomas, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, married Brian Vander Hogen on March 15, 1988 in Boulder, Colorado. As the first black skater to achieve international, or even national, prominence, she was a champion, however reluctant, of minorities. Katarina Witt of East Germany won the championships. I wish both of these wonderful women the best of luck in their lives. For her personal life, it is known that Thomas married Brian Vander Hogen in 1988 but their marriage ended in divorce. BRIAN VANDEN HOGEN DIRECTOR A proven leader who optimises operational performance through infrastructure and operational planning, capital works and facilities management, Brian excels in project delivery, operational performance and business contingency planning and solutions. Thomas attended Stanford University in California while continuing her training in figure skating. Thomas revealed Saturday night during the gala show that traditionally follows the World Championships that she married Brian Vanden Hogen, 23, at Boulder, Colo., March 15. But marketing experts said that besides winning a bronze instead of a gold medal, she did not project the proper image in Calgary. Her first professional victory came in 1986 when she won the Gold Medal at the 1986 World Figure Skating Championships, and the same year she won the US national title which also increased the overall size of her net worth. But I dont know what it could have been if things had been different in Calgary. Later in the year, she was given the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Candace Award for Trailblazing. The song is on album Underneath, by The Verve Pipe. Geneagraphie - Families all over the world : Reigning Deposed Extinct. If she hit it, it would inspire her. | Photo: GettyImages. After looking forward for so long to participating in the Olympics, she said that she was not able to enjoy it once she was there. The two met at the University of Colorado when Thomas moved there last year to train. Man, if that one skate goes differently for her at the 1988 Olympics her whole life would have been dramatically different. I had a personal experience with Debi Thomas after she completed her residency in orthopedics at Stanford and was a busy physician and before her life became extremely difficult. She is an actress, known for Nutcracker on Ice (2009), American Gladiators (1989) and Win, Lose or Draw (1987). Debi Thomas at the U. S. Figure Skating Championships, Kansas City, Missouri, January 31, 1985 | Photo: GettyImages, My mother introduced me to many different things, and figure skating was one of them, Debi told ABC Sports. Then, on the podium for the awards ceremony, she ignored the rules of sportsmanship, failing to acknowledge Witt, the gold medalist, and Manley, the silver medalist, even when they tried to congratulate her for winning the bronze medal. She lost it months before, when she discovered that she no longer was receiving the same satisfaction from skating as she had in the past. There she would have a rematch against Witt, in what would be called the Battle of the Carmens, because both skated to the music of Bizets opera Carmen. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Brian Vanden Hogen was previously married to Debi Thomas (1988 - 1991). However, she wouldnt last more than a year in that or any other institution because she was difficult to work with. I am thrilled.'. Figure Skating Championship and took fifth place in the World Championship. Critics arent satisfied, Olympic snowboarders accuse USOPC, national federation of sex trafficking in lawsuit, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, Yet more rain expected to hit California in March. She was one of the first female skaters to ever complete a triple toe-triple toe combination during the 1980s. Brian Vander Ark released his first solo album, Resurrection, in May 2003. After being detained, a psychological evaluation gave Debi a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Afterward, at a press conference, she did not take responsibility for her failure to win, instead blaming her coach of 10 years. The 8th Annual Black Achievement Awards (1987)as Herself, The Official 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Video (1988)as Herself / American Figure Skater Bronze Medalist, Bud Greenspan's Favorite Stories of Winter Olympic Glory (2002)as Herself. Nothing would ever be enough. [3] He received his schooling at Jan van Riebeeck High School in Cape Town, South Africa, and in 1950 played for the Western Province junior tennis team. People who have organized various shows in which she has performed, and those who have publicized them, and even some of the other skaters, say that she is demanding and temperamental, as if, they say, she expects to be treated as the gold medalist that she never became. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. The band recorded two independent albums I've Suffered A Head Injury and Pop Smear. On March 15, 1988 Debi Thomas married, Brian Vander Hogen in Boulder, Colorado. I wouldnt do it again because I already did it once, she said. The 8th Annual Black Achievement Awards (1987)as Herself, The Official 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Video (1988)as Herself / American Figure Skater Bronze Medalist, Bud Greenspan's Favorite Stories of Winter Olympic Glory (2002)as Herself, Your email address will not be published. After the show aired, Debi said they blew things out of proportion to make her, and her fianc, Jamie, look bad. Debis coach knew she had talent, but instead of quitting school to dedicate one hundred percent to skating like other young athletes, Debi transferred to a high school that was closer to a skating rink in Redwood City, California. Right after graduation, she began working as an orthopedic surgeon, most notably for the ORTHO X-cellence Debra J. Thomas in Richlands, Virginia, which initially increased her net worth, but unfortunately the facility closed in 2014, and there is no record of her working since that point. Her only deal is with MacMillan books. He really tried to make it happen from his standpoint. Join Facebook to connect with Brian Hogan and others you may know. The following year her advancement in the sport was hampered, as she battled with Achilles tendinitis in both ankles, leading her to struggle at the US Nationals.Image source. She first got married to Brian Vander Hogenbut got divorced, and later she married to Chris Bequette. He left before the exhibition ended. Only the Trusted List can access the following: Leave a message for others who see this profile. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. In 1997 she graduated from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. In 1991 she graduated from Stanford University with a degree in engineering. Nathan Aaseung, African American Athletes (New York: Facts on File, 2003); http://www.espn.com/skating/news/2000/0209/345701.html; http://blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/the_state_of_black_america_news/16253. Debi told ABC Sports: For as long as I can really remember, I wanted to be a doctor [] I would make my mom buy me the toy doctor kit.". She would bounce back at the World Championships, and finished in second place behind Katarina Witt. My husband will travel with me on parts of my upcoming skating exhibitions tour. But her fame was fickle. By age nine, she was taking formal lessons and winning competitions. 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