Silver Blades & Pink Slippers

Black History in Figure Skating: Atoy Wilson

In honor of black history month, I am highlighting the accomplishments of African-Americans in the sport of figure skating. This post features Atoy Wilson, a competitive skater from the 1960s, who went on to skate professionally in ice shows in the 1970s. To read about other history-makers of skating click here.

Atoy Wilson

Atoy Wilson
Copyright Argenta Images

Atoy Wilson is a pioneer in the sport of figure skating, making history as the first African-American to compete in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and the first African-American to be a principal skater in a major ice show.  Atoy was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. When he was about seven years old, he became interested in learning to ice skate after his parents took him to see an ice show. His first coach was Mabel Fairbanks, who worked tirelessly on the behalf of her skaters to break through the existing racial barriers. Thanks to Mabel’s influence, Atoy became the first African-American member of the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club.

In 1965, thirteen-year-old Atoy received national acclaim for becoming the first African-American to compete nationally in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where he placed second in the Novice Men’s event. In 1966, he continued to make history when he became the first African-American to win the Novice Men’s title at the U.S. Figure Skating Champions. Atoy also has the distinction of being the first African-American to complete all of the U.S. Figure Skating figures and freestyle tests.

He can skate good figures and he is a very good free skater. … He has all the jumps and a very nice style. If a Negro is going to make it. Atoy is the one. (“13-Year-Old Boy is 1st Negro to Enter Figure Skating Event”. The Leader-Herald, February 10, 1965)

Besides Miss [Peggy] Fleming, the biggest newsmaker so far in the nationals is Atoy Wilson … The 14-year-old Wilson is the only Negro ever to win a national figure skating title. (“Fleming Nearing 3rd Title; McKellen is 7th”. Reading Eagle, January 28, 1966).

Both the spectators, competitors and officials showed their excitement over the Negro youngster’s victory in a sport ofttimes accused of discrimination. (“Negro Boy, 14, Wins First U.S. Skate Title”. Jet, February 17, 1966, page 53).

After graduating from high school, Atoy stopped competing and enrolled at Loyola University of Los Angeles, where he majored in political science. In the 1970s, he was invited to tour with two ice shows, Holiday On Ice and Ice Follies, making him the first African-American to star in a major ice show. When people asked how well he fit into his new environment, Atoy responded: “I think skaters and skating fans are too interested in the sport and the skaters to care what a fellow’s color is. I found no discrimination either as an amateur or now as a pro.”

Atoy Wilson
Copyright Argenta Images

In a January 2001 New York Times interview, Atoy said that “he is forever indebted to [Mabel] Fairbanks for her tenacity and courage; quitting was never an option for her.” Mabel’s courage enabled Atoy to be a pioneer and pave the way for other African-American skaters to join figure skating clubs, compete nationally and internationally, and pursue careers as professional skaters in mainstream ice shows.

Atoy Wilson currently resides in Los Angeles, CA where he works in production accounting for the television industry.

Watch some of Atoy Wilson’s performances!

• 1972 – Holiday On Ice
• 1979 – Holiday On Ice
• 1983 – Holiday On Ice

Want to learn more about Atoy Wilson?

• What’s Happening!: Holiday On Ice (Baltimore Afro-American, January 15, 1972)
• What’s Happening!: Atoy Wilson (Baltimore Afro-American, January 13, 1973)
• Atoy Wilson Paved the Way (Baltimore Afro-American, January 5, 1974)
• Ice Follies Star Atoy Wilson Visits with New Bride (Baltimore Afro-American, Jan 11, 1975)
• Figure Skating; a Pioneer at the Rink is Proud of Her Legacy (New York Times, January 14, 2001)
• Mabel Fairbanks and Breaking the Color Barrier in Figure Skating (YouTube — originally aired on tv during 2003 U.S. Nationals)