Joseph SAVAGE

Joseph Savage competed in Olympic figure skating when he was 52-years-old. He was by then well-known in US figure skating circles. Savage was a New York attorney with the law firm of Emmett, Marvin & Martin, but was better known for his work in skating administration. He served as President of the American branch of the International Skating Union (ISU) from 1923-24, Vice-President of the Amateur Skating Union of the US (forerunner of US Figure Skating) in 1928-29, and President in 1929-30. But as a competitor, he was men’s singles champion in the Middle Atlantic Regionals from 1923-26 and 1928. He was best known for his couples skating, placing 8th at the 1930 World Championships in pairs with Edit Secord, and winning the first official US Championship in ice dancing in 1936 with Marjorie Parker. Savage later won silver medals in dance at the US Nationals in 1937 (with Parker), 1938 (with Katherine Durbrow), 1939 (with Nettie Prantell), and 1943 (with Parker-Smith), the final medal coming when he was 63-years-old. He was also US National Champion in the fours in 1935 and 1939. He represented the Skating Club of New York, and was the leader of an ice dance group that performed at the annual Silver Skates in Madison Square Garden. Savage also spent time promoting the sports of roller skating and speed skating.