Phyllis Fitzgerald-Loewen

Red Deer

Description

Life and Work

A speed skater who was victorious throughout her career, Phyllis Fitzgerald-Loewen began her speed skating career in 1957 with the Red Deer Lions. She was only 11 when she won her first championship.

Phyllis won in total 13 indoor and 10 outdoor Canadian championships along with five international championships while breaking multiple speed skating records. She was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 for her brilliant career. Phyllis still holds the Canadian outdoor record of 19.3 seconds in the 220 yard outdoor event. Others described her as a "bulldog" in terms of competition and being very mentally strong. Her disappointment in not qualifying for the 1968 Olympic Team led to her retirement in 1970.

Since retiring from competition, Phyllis turned her talents to coordinating, coaching and officiating speed skating. She coached the Rocky Mountain House speed skating club since 1988. Phyllis also officiated at the 1988 Winter Olympics and helped organize speed skating events at the 1992 Alberta Winter Games in Fort McMurray.