John Nicks Dies at 97, Figure Skating Hall of Famer Coached Peggy Fleming, Ashley Wagner, More

Legendary figure skating coach John Nicks died Tuesday at the age of 97.

"The skating community has lost a tremendous ambassador," U.S. Figure Skating chief executive Matt Farrell said, per the Associated Press' Dave Skretta . "John helped shape generations of American figure skaters and his influence extended well beyond the champions he coached."

Nicks was a decorated skater in his own right. Teaming with sister Jennifer, he won gold in the pairs competition at the 1953 World Championships. They were also silver medalists in 1950 and earned bronze in 1951 and 1952.

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Nicks left a larger legacy after pivoting to coaching.

Peggy Fleming, Sasha Cohen, Ashley Wagner and Kristi Yamaguchi are among the decorated skaters he worked with through the years. Skretta noted the overall total eclipsed 1,200 figure skaters.

"Mr Nicks, you were a champion maker," Wagner said in an Instagram post . "I will forever be grateful for my time with you, the lessons learned and the athlete that you transformed me into. You made me understand that I had to skate for the person sitting in the last row, at the top of the arena. You made me a performer, a skater who learned to care so much more about the total package, instead of just the jumps. Thank you for making me a champion, I would not be where I am today if it were not for you."

U.S. Figure Skating inducted Nicks into its Hall of Fame in 1993, and he earned a spot in the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000.