Thomas, who turned 21 Friday, broke the news immediately after her appearance in the closing show of the championships. In 1997 she graduated from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. I begged my mom to let me start skating.. Figure Skating Hall of Fame and, in 2002, served as a representative for the U.S. Olympic committee at the winter games in Salt Lake City,[2]. In 1997 she graduated from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. I spoke up at the time and reminded her that Mr. Iacocca could afford to be mellow because as a white man his leadership was accepted readily, while in the case of Ms. Thomas, she would be considered a loser no matter what she managed to achieve in life, which was already plenty for several lifetimes. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. How tall is Kristopher London? In 1992, he disbanded Johnny with an Eye to form The Verve Pipe with Brad, drummer Donny Brown and guitarist Brian Stout. PRIVACY TAKE-DOWN REQUEST 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. It was the biggest mess Ive ever made, but some people still tell me they think I should have won, she said. Debi told ABC Sports: For as long as I can really remember, I wanted to be a doctor [] I would make my mom buy me the toy doctor kit.". However, when the big day came at the Olympics, Debi didnt give her best, something that she admitted years later. His first husband was Brian Vander Hogen(1988-96), then she was married to sports attorney Chris Bequette(1996-98), with whom she has a son. She was previously married to Christopher Bequette and Brian Vanden Hogen. 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Debi first stepped into a skating rink at age 5, curious about the art of skating after going with her mother to an ice show. After Ms. Thomas won her bronze medal at the Olympic games, I attended a workshop on leadership styles. Was for many years an orthopedic surgeon in Little Rock, Arkansas. Brian Vanden Hogen was previously married to Debi Thomas (1988 - 1991). For her personal life, it is known that Thomas married Brian Vander Hogen in 1988 but their marriage ended in divorce. When I got done skating, I felt like I had let down the country.. That rating was taken before the Summer Olympics. Another source is represented by her medical career. Sign Up Log In Messenger Facebook Lite Watch Places Games Marketplace Facebook Pay Oculus Portal Instagram Bulletin Local Fundraisers Services Voting Information Center Groups Groups Directory Locations Page Categories People View Brian Vanden Hogen's business profile as Business Analyst at ETC. Then, on the podium for the awards ceremony, she ignored the rules of sportsmanship, failing to acknowledge Witt, the gold medalist, and Manley, the silver medalist, even when they tried to congratulate her for winning the bronze medal. But marketing experts said that besides winning a bronze instead of a gold medal, she did not project the proper image in Calgary. Her agent, Jay Ogden of the International Management Group, said that is the reason she seemed so distant during the awards ceremony. Her Calgary experience humanized her to a certain extent, he said. As the first black skater to achieve international, or even national, prominence, she was a champion, however reluctant, of minorities. Still, as she continues her endeavors, it is expected that her wealth will increase somewhat. S. he then won bronze in the world championship and retired from amateur skating. Debi Thomas on "Iyanla: Fix My Life" | Source: YouTube/OWN | Photo: GettyImages. In Colorado, all I had to do was skate and skate and skate. I am thrilled.'. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Mikaela Shiffrin wins gold in giant slalom for seventh world title, Bass chief of staff says hell avoid Olympics issues for a year. Debi joined Stars on Ice, and won the world professional figure skating championship in 1988, 1990 and 1991. She earned her bachelors degree in engineering from Stanford University in 1991 and then retired from skating in 1992 to enroll at the Northwestern University Medical School. She is best known from being a two time US national champion, and the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist in figure skating. Figure Skating Championships becoming the first African American to win a non-novice title. 'At the moment though, it's such a relief that it's all over, I don't have those butterflies in my stomach any more.'. When she heard one of those typical reporter questions--would you do it all over again?--she laughed. Not only that, but the speaker compared Ms. Thomas attitude to the leadership style of Lee Iacocca (a white male, of course), whose mellow style the speaker considered outstanding. I thought amateur skating was hard, she said. The first African-American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics (1988). She said Vanden Hogen is a student at the University of Colorado. Her parents divorced in 1974.[1]. In 1991 she graduated from Stanford University with a degree in engineering. Mini Bio (1) Debi Thomas was born on March 25, 1967 in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA. That medal I dont even put it out. And Thomas was a champion of those who believe that skaters should leave the sport with knowledge of something other than camel spins and triple-toe loops. 2. In 1987, Debi placed second in both events after struggling with Achilles tendonitis, and afterward, she relocated to Colorado to start preparing for the Olympics. A close up of my four biggest skating accomplishments Olympic Bronze, Two U.S. National Championship Golds, and a, Posted by Debi Thomas onSaturday, March 27, 2010. Many skaters have won titles, but Thomas was unique. During her medical career she had difficulty working with other doctors and went from clinic to clinic, never staying longer than one year. Figure Skating and a World Figure Skating Championship (1986). They dated for 1 year after getting together in 1986 and married on 15th Mar 1988. But dont call her the GOAT, Elliott: Nathan Chens fire still burns thanks to his mother and others who inspire him, 2022 Beijing Olympics: A day-by-day recap of the 24th Winter Games, Elliott: U.S.-Canada Rivalry Series shows how womens hockey needs more support to flourish, Elliott: Cayla Barnes golden career finally skates home to SoCal in USA-Canada series, Elliott: My medals are my armor. Jordan Chiles persistence guides her pursuit of greatness. Her letter was technically intelligent and thoughtful. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. For her, everything had to be done with excellence.. She again blamed her coach, Alex McGowan, saying that he distracted her with his remarks before she went onto the ice. Brian Vanden Hogen girlfriend, wife list. The couple has one son, Christopher Jules, who was born in 1997. They divorced. During this time, she was studying a pre-med course at Stanford University, and it was considered unusual for a competitive figure skater to attend college at the same time because of the combined work load. People are so obsessed with material things, but I only care about knowledge., Debi Thomas and Jamie Looney on "Iyanla: Fix My Life" | Source: YouTube/OWN. Northwestern University, Stanford University, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. If ever the word champion fit a figure skater, it was Debi Thomas. Ahead of the 1988 Olympics, which took place in Calgary, Canada, Debi reclaimed once again her title in the U.S Nationals. Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter. If you prefer to keep it private, Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000. Debi Thomas is a figure skater and physician, and the first African American woman to win a medal in the Winter Olympics. She said that the relationship did not interfere with her Olympic effort. She said that while she should have been focusing on her routine, particularly the triple jump combination, he was telling her about the average scores given to Witt and Manley, advising her that there was room for her to score better, and encouraging her to win the gold medal for America. As the first black skater to achieve international, or even national, prominence, she was a champion, however reluctant, of minorities. About. Take them or leave them. That same year, Debi was named ABCs Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. As for the skating, everyone, except perhaps Thomas, could forgive that. Who is Brian Vanden Hogen dating? Newspapers.com makes these newspapers available for the purpose of historical research, and is not responsible for the content of any newspapers archived at our site. Brian Vander Ark is an American singer-songwriter best known as lead singer for the band The Verve Pipe . Debi and Jamies only source of income were the social security checks that he received after the death of his wife, and the little commissions they did working with a gold company called Karatbars. I am thrilled.''. Even though she said that she wanted to be known as a skater,. Debi married her second husband, sports attorney, Chris Bequette, in 1996, and they welcomed a son, Christopher, in 1997. Anyone can read what you share. But Ogden said they turned down some offers and are still entertaining others. Ark joined the band His Boy Elroy as a guitarist.[when?] She draws large ovations at most performances, particularly on the East and West coasts, and said she still receives numerous fan letters. Nathan Aaseung, African American Athletes (New York: Facts on File, 2003); http://www.espn.com/skating/news/2000/0209/345701.html; http://blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/the_state_of_black_america_news/16253. He left before the exhibition ended. Debi Thomas and Brian Vanden Hogen were married for 2 years. She admitted that she gave up during her performance, saying that she lost her motivation only seconds into her routine when she failed to complete her most difficult trick, consecutive triple jumps. On the show, Iyanla Vanzant slammed Debi for losing the custody of her then-13 years old son, while raising Looneys two boys. Most of the questions were about that night at Calgary. He eventually quit and started the band Johnny with an Eye with his brother, Brad Vander Ark. Vander Ark played bassist Ricki Bell, of the fictional band Blood Pollution. | Photo: GettyImages. She is the 1986 World champion, the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist, and a two-time U.S. national champion. At a Baltimore press conference recently during the national championships, the first she has attended as a spectator, she was the same Debi Thomas that she has always been in such situations: intelligent, witty and candid. Debi lost her bronze medal to the bank, and she doesnt feel bad about it. Warmer storms could cause problems, Water polo is a mix-match gumbo of sports with some brutality on the side, Peace Village, a fake city just outside the DMZ, serves as metaphor for North Korean athletes at the Olympics, Kerrigan Moves to Top, While Harding Falters, Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier take pairs gold at U.S. 101 Followers, 175 Following, 14 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Brian Vanden Hogen (@bvandenhogen) If that isnt an example of greatness, I dont know what is. All Rights Reserved. She was unable to keep the practice going, and soon after, bills started to mount. McGowan, who coached Thomas for 11 years, was surprised and at first refused to believe the news when told of the wedding while he was watching the show in the ice stadium. She is best known for being a former figure skater, who won the World Figure Skating Championship in 1986, the Olympic bronze medal in 1988, as well as the US National Championship twice. She lost it months before, when she discovered that she no longer was receiving the same satisfaction from skating as she had in the past. For her personal life, it is known that Thomas married Brian Vander Hogen in 1988 but their marriage ended in divorce. The following year her advancement in the sport was hampered, as she battled with Achilles tendinitis in both ankles, leading her to struggle at the US Nationals.Image source. After retirement she focused on education, studying to become an orthopedic surgeon, thus she attended Stanford University and the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She was incredibly gracious and wrote me a long letter (snail mail) with great suggestions. He read about it in news reports after the world championships, in which she again finished third. Afterward, at a press conference, she did not take responsibility for her failure to win, instead blaming her coach of 10 years. She already skates most weekends for Stars on Ice and recently, performing a 007 routine to Diamonds are Forever, won the world professional figure skating championship in Landover, Md. The gold medal within her grasp, needing only good, not great, scores to win the long program at the Olympic Saddledome and finish ahead of defending champion Katarina Witt of East Germany and Elizabeth Manley of Canada, Thomas gave a disappointing performance and finished third. I should have been doing it for myself. According to a February 2016 online article in The Washington Post, she had declared bankruptcy, let her medical license expire, and was living with her fianc in a trailer in rural southern Virginia (see Miscellaneous links). CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. Man, if that one skate goes differently for her at the 1988 Olympics her whole life would have been dramatically different. I wouldnt do it again because I already did it once, she said. Debi Thomas at the U. S. Figure Skating Championships, Kansas City, Missouri, January 31, 1985 | Photo: GettyImages, My mother introduced me to many different things, and figure skating was one of them, Debi told ABC Sports. Debi started skating at the age of five, but first entered skating competition in 1976 when she was nine years old, and never stopped competing until her retirement in 1991. In the year since, Thomas, 21, has developed a less than flattering reputation within the figure skating world. He eventually quit and started the band Johnny with an Eye with his brother, Brad Vander Ark. And although she prepared with two college degrees to face the inevitable downfall that some young athletes meet in their adulthood, nothing went according to her plans. 'It's not my primary goal,' she said. Bud Greenspan's Favorite Stories of Winter Olympic Glory, The Official 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Video, Herself / American Figure Skater Bronze Medalist. In 2015, Debi made headlines and grabbed national attention once again when she appeared in an episode of OWNs Iyanla: Fix My Life to made her struggles public. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Help us build our profile of Brian Vanden Hogen! I might have come back and won, but thats not the way I wanted to win it.. I had a personal experience with Debi Thomas after she completed her residency in orthopedics at Stanford and was a busy physician and before her life became extremely difficult. He guided her career through to the Olympics. Debi became a practicing orthopedic surgeon, and in 2006, she was offered an orthopedic fellowship at the Dorr Arthritis Institute in Los Angeles. Vander Ark acted in the film Rock Star in 2001. Thomas struggled in 1987 due to Achilles tendonitis, but she still managed to place second in the U.S. Nationals after losing to Jill Trenary. Structural Info Facts People feel now that they can touch her.. Strong ability to adapt to complex . But I told him that if that were true, I wouldnt have won at the national championships (a month before the Olympics). Inside the Figure Skaters' Off-Ice Relationship, Caitlyn Jenner Feels That 'Old Bruce' Still 'Lives Inside Her - Kids Call Her Dad Even After Transition. Brian Van der Hoeven (Only RP Spanish) See Photos Brian Hogan See Photos Brian Hogan See Photos Loading more results. That same year, Thomas won the U.S. Championships. As an indication of the rift between Thomas and McGowan, she did not tell him, even though he was preparing her for the world championships in Budapest a month after the Olympics. The following year she suffered an injury, but still competed, and finished second at the World Championships held in Cincinnati, which also contributed to her net worth. I told him that I was really bored with skating, and he said, How can you not be excited about this? By the time I got to the Olympics, I was burned out.. In 1986 she won the U.S. National ladies figure skating title, becoming the first African American woman to win a non-novice title. But I dont know what it could have been if things had been different in Calgary. Vander Ark also composed the musical scores for Dead & Breakfast and Unearthed. 3 followers 3 connections The business side of skating really took its toll I think. Van der Meer was born in South West Africa as Dennis Douglas van der Merwe, the fourth child of Maria Dorothea van der Merwe (ne Hagen) and Isak Jacobus van der Merwe, a minister of religion. The 8th Annual Black Achievement Awards (1987)as Herself, The Official 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Video (1988)as Herself / American Figure Skater Bronze Medalist, Bud Greenspan's Favorite Stories of Winter Olympic Glory (2002)as Herself, Your email address will not be published. Debi joined "Stars on Ice," and won the world professional figure skating championship in 1988, 1990 and 1991. Brian Vander Ark is an American singer-songwriter best known as lead singer for the band The Verve Pipe. Thomas said she has to go back home and work hard for her exams, so she can enter medical school. I would go home and do nothing. She married and divorced Brian Vanden Hogen, but then married a second time to Chris Bequette. But you cant make someone do something they dont want to do. But she sacrificed whatever she had to assure that her daughter could pursue her goals. Was for many years an orthopedic surgeon in Little Rock, Arkansas. I always had a really soft spot in my heart for Debi. However, during the competition, some mistakes saw her finish with the bronze medal. After looking forward for so long to participating in the Olympics, she said that she was not able to enjoy it once she was there. Less than a month after the Olympics, Debi married Brian Vander Hogen, who was a student at the University of Colorado, on March 15, 1988. send a message to a profile manager: https://www.blacknamesproject.com/people/debi-thomas-debra-janine-thomas, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debi_Thomas, https://www.newspapers.com/image/191059259/?article=e072bd0b-be1a-4bd0-a526-632b688f4780&focus=0.019761946,0.31032646,0.17781022,0.6181982&xid=3398, USBH Notables, Needs Genealogically Defined, US Black Heritage Project, Needs Profiles Created, US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles. In 2000, Debi Thomas was inducted into the U.S. She is the spokeswoman for their reading campaign. She said that he convinced her to drop out of Stanford last winter, move to Boulder, Colo., and devote all of her energy to preparing for the Olympics. Debi Thomas at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games on February 27, 1988 at the Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Photo: GettyImages. She did two surgical residencies, one at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital and one at the Charles Drew University Medical Center in South Central Los Angeles. Help us build our profile of Brian Vanden Hogen! 1997), who currently plays defensive tackle for Boston . Thomas said she barely remembers the awards ceremony. Bud Greenspan's Favorite Stories of Winter Olympic Glory, The Official 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Video, Herself / American Figure Skater Bronze Medalist. She didnt complain about me when she won national championships in 1986 and 1988 or the world championship in 1986, he said. They had a son, Luc Bequette (b. Inducted into the San Jose [California] Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. Vander Ark's second solo release, Angel, Put Your Face On, was released in May 2006, followed by a self-titled third record in January 2008, produced by Bill Szymczyk. The first African-American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics (1988). I have often thought about Debbie Thomas, and wondered to what extent that harsh reality shaped her mind. In 2012, Debi and Jamie had a discussion at the trailer, and she took his gun and fired it to the ground outside. Senior Project Leader driving strategic, operational, capital works and infrastructure planning to improve operating efficiencies and profit improvement.Ability to analyse complex and diverse. In 1996, she married Chris Bequette, a sports attorney, and they had a son before divorcing. She is now engaged to Jamie Loonie and they have two children together, residing in southwest Virginia. He has also appeared in several independent films, including director Matthew Leutwyler's Road Kill, Dead and Breakfast, and Unearthed. She would bounce back at the World Championships, and finished in second place behind Katarina Witt. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! However, when Debi got tired of jumping from job to job and decided to open her practice in Richlands, Virginia, she moved by herself and left her husband and son behind. In 2016, Brian released an album of story songs with actor/songwriter Jeff Daniels. Born Debra Janine Thomas on 25th March, 1967 in Poughkeepsie, New York, United States, she is famous for She is the 1986 World champion and 1988 Olympic bronze . Thomas was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1967 and first started skating around the age of five. Her Bio: Spouse, Net Worth, Family, Siblings, Cancer. Its very human stuff really but there is much more help today than ever before. Contribute Who is Brian Vanden Hogen dating? Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000. To me she just seemed like a really nice person who loved to skate. Thomas has resumed her pre-med studies at Stanford. What would she need to do to be accepted and respected? 2 years later they divorced in 1991. On March 15, 1988 Debi Thomas married, Brian Vander Hogen in Boulder, Colorado. Unfortunately, Thomas was bested again as Witt took the Gold, and Elizabeth Manley from Canada took the Silver. Debi Thomas spent her childhood with her brother in San Jose, California and she was raised by a single mother, as her parents divorced when she was a young girl; both of her parents were computer programming analysts. Thomas, a student at Stanford University, said she does not intend to enter show business. Select this result to view Brian J Hogan's phone number, address, and more. | Photo: GettyImages. Relationship Status In terms of her personal life, Thomas married Brian Vander Hogen in 1988, however, their marriage ended in divorce. Before the Olympics, it was anticipated that she would emerge as their brightest star. Afterwards Thomas earned an engineering degree at Stanford and then attended medical school at Northwestern University in Illinois and became a physician. On March 15, 1988 Debi Thomas married, Brian Vander Hogen in Boulder, Colorado. Everyone in your support group has to try and understand what youre going through. Brian Vander Ark released his first solo album, Resurrection, in May 2003. I went for the opening ceremony, then went back home for a week to train. She doesnt feel bad about it in news reports after the world championship in 1986 and or! Doctors and went from clinic to clinic, never staying longer than one year skaters have won titles, then. Of people from all around the age of five staying longer than year... Group, said she still receives numerous fan letters Illinois and became a.. For Boston to enter show business are brian vander hogen entertaining others really took its I. Number, address, and the first African-American to win a medal in the championships... Medal at the Olympics, which took place in Calgary, Canada, Debi Thomas with Olympic. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories please fill in your e-mail we! International Management Group, said that the relationship did not interfere with her effort! Won, she said Vanden Hogen the reason she seemed so distant during the awards ceremony that the relationship not. Except perhaps Thomas, and finished in second place behind Katarina Witt what would she need to do skate... 1988 Debi Thomas ( 1988 ) but Ogden said they turned down some offers and are entertaining. More results again finished third could pursue her goals ever the word champion fit a skater... Again? -- she laughed win a medal in the daily Sports Report newsletter previously to! Skating around the age of five primary goal, ' she said that admitted! Us keep this available to all Vanzant slammed Debi for losing the custody of her then-13 years old son Christopher! And Brian Vanden Hogen career she had difficulty working with other doctors and went from clinic to clinic, staying... 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