We decided to name the first season of the NSC “Tribulation”. This word means a lot to everyone involved in the NSC organization. The dictionary defines it as, “an experience that tests one’s endurance, patience or faith.” From the athletes' perspectives, there will be a tremendous amount of pressure to perform, because this will be the first time their talent is showcased in front of an audience outside of the inline speed skating world; an audience, who doesn’t know or care what it means to be a world champion inline skater or if you are coming off an injury. This audience only cares about seeing a good show and cheering the winners.

This will be the most demanding schedule any of our pro athletes have faced. Never have they encountered this caliber of athletes so frequently. Amongst the handpicked group of 12 they own more national and world medals than the entire current male American speed skating population. With 5 events happening every two months from Jan to Oct, winning in this group of champions is going to take unimaginable preparation.

With this being NSC’s first season, there is a great deal of excitement to show the American Public that the new sport of Inline Speed Skating belongs alongside the other mainstream American Sports. Although our journey will not be an easy one, we feel our exhibition that happened on Nov. 9th and the first event of the season on January 23rd, proved a tremendous amount of promise to the growth of our sport.