Five Things to Know About Coach Chris Heiser
For Coach Chris Heiser, figure skating isn’t just a sport — it’s a lifelong passion that has shaped her journey from a young skater in northwest Indiana to a dedicated coach and leader at Glacier Ice Arena. With more than four decades of coaching experience, she continues to inspire the next generation of skaters to find joy and confidence on the ice. Here are five things to know about Coach Chris Heiser.
1. Her Skating Journey Started Early
Chris grew up in northwest Indiana and laced up her first pair of skates at just eight years old at the Omi Rink in Schererville, IN. When the rink closed a few years later, her grandmother made sure Chris’s dream didn’t stop there — driving her an hour and a half each way to Westmont, for skating lessons, and waiting while Chris trained for up to five hours a day.
At just fifteen, Chris made the courageous decision to move in with a host family near the rink so she could continue skating full-time. She attended Oak Park River Forest High School and later completed two years of junior college, laying the foundation for a life devoted to the sport she loved.
2. Family Values Keep Her Grounded
Family has always been at the heart of Chris’s story — both on and off the ice. She has been happily married to her husband, David, for three years. The two met through a mutual friend and instantly connected over their shared sense of humor and love for adventure.
Chris’s daughter Sophia, 23, lives in Nashville, where she teaches music and performs locally — a creative spirit who clearly takes after her mom’s discipline and drive. Her son Nicholas, 21, is a senior at the University of Illinois studying computer science. Growing up, Nicholas shared his mom’s athletic spirit, playing both basketball and baseball.
For Chris, the same values she instills at home — dedication, patience, and kindness — are the ones she brings to her students at Glacier. “Family is everything,” she says. “It teaches you to show up, work hard, and love what you do — and that’s exactly what I try to pass on to my skaters.”
3. Four Decades of Coaching Excellence
Chris began coaching at just 19 years old at Centennial Ice Arena in Highland Park. Her career soon took her to the Rolling Meadows Sports Complex, where she coached from 1985 to 1998. From there, she moved to Twin Rinks in Buffalo Grove, where she founded the Starlight Synchronized Skating Team and spent 14 years developing skaters of all levels.
In 2012, she joined Glacier Ice Arena, where she continues to focus on the technical side of skating — edges, turns, and body control — helping skaters refine their skills and move with confidence. Her attention to detail and love for the sport have made her a trusted mentor for skaters of all ages.
4. She Believes Figure Skating Is for Everyone
“Figure skating can be for everyone, no matter the person’s physique,” Chris said. “There’s something for everyone in this sport — and if figure skating were easy, they’d call it hockey,” she laughed. That lighthearted motto captures Chris’s approach to coaching: she leads with enthusiasm and patience, making skating accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding for every student who steps onto the ice.
5. Glacier Is Home
As Glacier’s learn to skate director, Chris oversees the arena’s Learn to Skate program, managing hundreds of young skaters each season and directing the annual Glacier Ice Show — one of the rink’s signature events. When she’s not on the ice, she can often be found in the main office, keeping programs running smoothly or teaching private lessons before and after school hours.
Since her very first day at Glacier, Chris says she’s felt at home. “I felt welcome from the start. It’s just been a great fit for me — and for Glacier.”
When she’s not coaching or managing programs, Chris enjoys cooking and traveling — her favorite ways to recharge before returning to the rink where her passion continues to shine.