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Post by Laura (Lori) on Oct 6, 2008 12:44:26 GMT -8
This thread is totally devoted to Alex Izykowski, who is now retired from elite-level skating. Please share your memories, photos, articles, etc., from Alex's career as well as news about his post-skating accomplishments!
Some of the info gathered here will be used for Alex's bio page on Rocker-U. (see www.rocker-u.net/index_of_skaters.htm ).If you are a non-member who would like to contribute news, photos, archives or comments, please feel free to contact us at:lori@rocker-u.net or michelle@therockerfund.org
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Post by bubblebuttsbabe on Jan 26, 2009 3:14:55 GMT -8
 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IZY!!!! ;D |
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 26, 2009 10:26:22 GMT -8
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Post by mtnme on Jan 27, 2009 12:27:29 GMT -8
 Happy Belated Birthday, Alex! We hope you had a GREAT day and that you are doing well! And for your birthday, I'll post one of my favorite pictures of you with Ryan Bedford- it sure looks like you're both having way too much fun! May you have many more days of it.  |
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Post by mtnme on Jan 27, 2009 19:14:58 GMT -8
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Post by bubblebuttsbabe on Mar 6, 2009 17:16:28 GMT -8
Bronze medalist Izykowski suffers injuries in cycling crash
by Times Staff
Friday March 06, 2009, 10:50 AM
Alex Izykowski's training program to get back on the ice with the U.S. Short Track men's speedskating team came to a screeching halt Tuesday.
The 2006 Olympic bronze medal relayer from Bay City was struck by a car on a bicycle training ride in Sandy, a suburb south of Salt Lake City.
Al Izykowski, Alex's father, said his son was riding about 25-30 miles per hour when a car turned in front of him Tuesday about noon. The 25-year-old Bay City Western grad smashed into the car and went head first into the vehicle.
"All things considering, Alex is lucky to be alive," Al Izykowski said.
Izykowski was treated and released from a local hospital. He suffered no head injuries, however, he has a broken nose and tooth and a sore shoulder.
Izykowski had been riding three to five hours in the mountains trying to recover from a hip injury.
"He was in good condition and I think, ready to come back on ice," his father said.
Alex Izykowski is expected to be back in Bay City on Tuesday for the 2009 U.S. Speedskating Nationals and American Cup Finals in Midland where his sister, Morgan, will be competing.
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GET WELL SOON, IZY!! :]
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Mar 6, 2009 17:53:14 GMT -8
[glow=red,2,300] OMG![/glow] This guy just can't catch a break... We're in your corner, Izy!  |
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Apr 11, 2009 14:31:36 GMT -8
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Post by bubblebuttsbabe on May 27, 2009 15:11:28 GMT -8
Source: www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2009/05/alex_izykowski_retiring_family.html- - - - - - Alex Izykowski retiring? Family says Olympic medalist is leaving the iceby Ryan J. Stanton | The Bay City Times Wednesday May 27, 2009, 9:34 AM When it came to speedskating, Alex Izykowski was ranked among the best in the world. In the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, the Bay City relayer known as " Izy" took home a bronze medal in the men's 5,000-meter short track relay. But three years later, the 2002 Bay City Western graduate is battling nagging injuries from a series of unfortunate accidents, and wondering what to do next. At 25, he's retiring from the sport that has kept him on the ice for most of his life."It's an emotional time. It's a big transition," said Al Izykowski, the speedskater's father. "You're talking about a young man who gave his whole life to his sport." Alex Izykowski, who has been living and training in Utah, was in Bay City this past weekend for his sister's high school graduation party but declined an interview with The Times. He's still coming to terms with the fact that he won't skate competitively again, according to his father, who hesitates to say his son made that decision of his own accord.
"I think his body has just made it for him," he said. "He's not able to train at the level that he needs to and he can't go out there in a compromised condition."The young Izykowski's hopes and dreams of getting back on the ice with the U.S. Short Track men's speedskating team - and going to the 2010 Winter Olympics - came to a screeching halt two months ago when he was hit by a car during a bicycle training ride in a suburb of Salt Lake City. He was riding about 25-30 miles per hour when a car turned in front of him, sending him smashing head-first into the vehicle, his father said. It was the third major setback to come the speedskater's way since taking home an Olympic medal three years ago. He suffered injuries from other incidents, including another bicycle mishap while training in Colorado Springs, Colo., three summers ago. At the time of his most recent accident, Izykowski had been riding three to five hours in the mountains trying to recover from a hip injury. His father said he was in good condition and finally ready to get back on the ice. Izykowski has been receiving treatments and physical therapy at an Olympic training center in Salt Lake City. It's uncertain whether he will stay in Utah or return to Bay City. "Hopefully if he moves back to Bay City and decides to live in Bay City, he'll be able to be active in the sport from the standpoint of coaching," said Bay County Executive Thomas L. Hickner, a longtime speedskating enthusiast who has followed Izykowski's career. Hickner, a supporter of the effort to build the Bay County Civic Arena in the 1990s, said it's sad to see Izykowski step down. "He certainly is one of the most accomplished speedskaters in the history of Bay County," he said. "The training and conditioning to get there requires a significant amount of commitment and focus on the part of the skater, because it is an individual sport, and he certainly demonstrated a commitment." Dick Somalski, founder of the Bay County Speedskating Club, has been involved in short track since its inception at the Olympics and other international venues. "I was on the Olympic committee for 32 years. I've been to 10 Olympics. I've seen a lot," he said. "He was one of the best and he had a very bright future. "It's tough to quit, but I think it's a good decision. When you get to his age, the chances of getting much better are unlikely," added Somalski. "You cannot miss a year of competition and come back and be as good as you were before, because the competition gets better and better all the time." Whatever happens now, Somalski said Izykowski will do fine if he applies himself like he did to his sport. "If he has the same exuberance ... that he had with speedskating, he'll take care of himself," he said. "Persistence is the most important thing. You've just got to keep going." - - - - - - I'm gonna miss Izy on the ice - it's so sad because he was so talented. :/ Good luck in whatever you do, Izy!! :]
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Post by Laura (Lori) on May 27, 2009 16:24:57 GMT -8
Oh, I'm so, so sorry to hear this.  I was really pulling for him - hoping we'd see him at the top of his game again in Marquette, but I guess the body was having none of it after that bike accident... 'Best of luck you you, Alex - I know you'll put the same energy into your new life as you did your old one!  We'll be leaving Alex's thread here for awhile - and when the new season starts it will be moved (deservedly so) to the Hall Of Fame board! |
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Post by mtnme on May 28, 2009 7:08:51 GMT -8
This is very sad news, indeed. Many of us have had the pleasure of meeting Alex, and he is as nice as can be. Soft spoken and a bit shy, (with fans anyway  ) he has a kind face that photos don't come even close to doing this very handsome young man justice. We were all hoping he could get past all the injuries and be back out on the ice mixing it up with his teamates once again. It's heartbreaking to think he won't get another opportunity - and we won't have the pleasure of watching him compete again. Sadly, some things are just not meant to be. Many of us have also met his dad, Al. He was very helpful and gave generously of his time when we were trying to gather information to start the Rocker Fund. This is a family that is passionate about the sport, and it shows. We wish Alex the greatest of success on his next path in life. 'Bonne Chance' fair skater! You will be greatly missed. (...and once again, we are sadly behind getting more photos of Alex on his thread....note to self - must remedy that immediately....) |
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Post by sk8er on May 28, 2009 7:34:42 GMT -8
I heard about Alex's accident and agree that this is very sad. I still have a couple of his tee shirts from fundraising for the 2006 Olympics floating around on the ice. Gene wears his regularly. Again this begs the question of what the majority of these athletes do after their careers are over by their late 20's. The sacrifices are immense, but the injuries can compromise their lives. My husband is finally catching up to all those sports injuries he's ignored for decades, and the MRIs and x-rays aren't pretty. At least these young skaters have access to excellent medical care in SLC.
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Post by mtnme on May 30, 2009 7:50:00 GMT -8
As promised, here are more VERY overdue photos of Alex. (Too many skaters! We can't keep up!!!) LOL  Alex, with teamates Apolo Anton Ohno, Rusty Smith and JP Kepka at the Torino Olympics after their bronze medal relay win.  Alex and his family: From Left to right: sister Morgan, Dad, Al (but I'm not sure if the woman to the far right is his mom...I met her briefly, and somehow, it doesn't look like what I remembered. Help anyone?)  Alex with teamate Travis Jayner (The rest of these photos are by Jerry Search)  An older competition: Alex behind Apolo Anton Ohno, and in front of Travis Jayner, Anthony Lobello and Jordan Malone.  I believe these photos were from US Championships in December 2007 in Salt Lake City. We didn't realize it at the time, but this would be one of the last times (if not THE last time) we would ever see Alex skate. I now regret not 'savoring the moment'.   Alex, Kyle Uyehara and Robert Lawrence  Alex, Robert Lawrence and Kyle Uyehara  Alex and Travis Jayner  Alex, Travis Jayner and (at the time) up and comer, JR Celski  Alex behind Travis Jayner and in front of JR Celski   Alex, Travis Jayner, Kyle Carr and JR Celski One thing I've noticed, is that Alex always takes great pictures on the ice- beautiful form, and a look of serene, quiet concentration on his face when he skates. ...we'll miss you Alex... |
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jun 3, 2009 21:49:58 GMT -8
The following Hero Card was provided by US Speedskating   From the 2008-2009 USS Media Guide:  |
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Post by mtnme on Jan 15, 2010 19:50:50 GMT -8
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) he has a kind face that photos don't come even close to doing this very handsome young man justice. 
