On October 23rd, over 35 Olympic long and short track speed skaters were joined by almost 220 attendees for the first “Celebrating the Pettit Center’s Legacy – The Olympic Speed Skaters’ Dinner” at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. Friendships were renewed, inspiring stories were told, and appreciation was expressed by Olympians for volunteers at the Pettit and the Outdoor Oval who supported athletes starting almost 40 years ago. Net proceeds from the event are directed to capital improvements at the Pettit Center.
Remarks by the three luminaries of U.S. Olympics speed skating, Bonnie Blair Cruikshank, Dr. Eric Heiden, and Dan Jansen, highlighted heart-warming and amusing memories of their speed skating experiences on the site of the Pettit Center.
The Pettit Center is grateful to the Olympians who returned for the “reunion” dinner. The Olympians are excited for an even larger reunion in four years in anticipation of the Pettit Center hosting Olympic Qualifying Competition in advance of the 2014
Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
Below are some pictures from the Speed Skaters' Dinner
A view inside the ballroom
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sweeney and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Gary D'Amato
Eric Heiden speaks about his favorite Pettit Center/Outdoor Rink memories
All of the former Olympians who were in attendance - find your favorite legend!
