EXEMPLARY FATHER

Many fathers today recognize the importance of playing an active role in their children's lives even if they do not live in the same household. Studies show that children have fewer behavioral problems and develop better language skills as a result of consistent, positive influence from their fathers.  Armed with this awareness, many men make spending quality time with their children a high priority and skating dads are no different from non skating dads in that respect.

Such is the case with one of the most unique, athletic and recognizable skaters on today's skate circuit.    Michael "Mr. Wiggles" Morgan, of Columbus Ohio enjoys fatherhood and strives to be an exemplary dad to his five-year-old son, Michael "Lil Wiggles" Morgan, Jr.

" I love being a dad, my son looks just like me, skates like me...everything he does, from the talking back to the mean looks, I have done at his age.  It is so funny because [he] is like a mini me," he told RST.

Even though he and his son's mother are no longer together, he understands how important it is that they remain on good terms and avoid any baby-mama-drama.  "A father has to make sure he does what he is supposed to do and as long as he does that there should not be any problems," he said.

SKATING

In spite of being an avid skater who regularly travels to various cities, he never has put skating ahead of his son.  Being there for Lil Wiggles is his main concern even if that means missing out on an exciting event, like the 2002 Rolling in the Carolinas skate extravaganza which turned out to be one of the best skate jams last year.

"I missed North Carolina even though someone said they would watch my son but what would I look like doing that?  Putting him off on a babysitter is something someone who does not care would do and I just won’t do that, skating is secondary to my son," he said.

He and Lil Wiggles skate together every Sunday at Columbus’ family skate session which consistently attracts crowds of 200-300 skaters of all ages.  Father and son are both part of the Easy Roller Skate Club, a family-oriented group which  has adult and junior members.

Mr. Wiggles first learned to skate at the age of 14 when he lived in Toledo Ohio.  His father took him to a rink, helped him put on a pair of rental skates then pushed him out on the floor.  Falling down was his best teacher because hitting the floor so many times built in him the determination to master the thing that kept knocking him down.  At first, he did not like skating but as he improved he began to enjoy it.

A year later, his father bought him his very own pair of skates and Mr. Wiggles still skates in them today at the age of 26.  "My skates are 11 years old, my dad bought them two sizes too big and I stuffed tissue paper in them until I grew into them...I don't want to get rid of them because they feel like an extension of myself," he said.

He is able to do many of his signature moves because his skates feel like socks to him, he feels as though he has wheels on the bottom of his feet.  What is his signature style?  It is the main reason he is called Mr. Wiggles.  He developed his style when, at the age of 18, he moved to Columbus Ohio where his first job was as a skate guard at the local rink.

Columbus skaters are known for the bounce they have when they skate and this bounce is called "pearling."  Mr. Wiggles wanted to learn that city's style so he learned to pearl like everyone else, but the innovator in him wanted a move that would make him stand out from the rest.

"I got tired of everyone teaching me the same style so I wanted to do something different.  Like Michael Jordan, instead of laying [the ball] up he will dunk it, 360 degrees backwards.  I just wanted to add my own style," he said.

The style he developed earned him the title Mr. Wiggles and he is known by many today who have seen him bouncing to the beat, with a wiggly move added to it, along with occasional splits, cartwheels, jumps and spins done all over the skate floor of any event he attends.

He is committed to trying new things because that keeps skating fun and ensures he will continue to improve at the sport he loves.  He hopes to pass this love on to his son, who is already known as Lil Wiggles and he put on his first pair of skates at the age of three.  Today at five he is weaving, pearling, doing splits and turns because, as his father says jokingly, "he has no choice."

"He likes skating but does not understand it like I do.  He likes the music and the interaction with other kids but as far as understanding skating, he is too young," Wiggles Sr. said.  Still, the father is excited to pass his style on to his son and would love to see the day when Lil Wiggles will pass the legacy on to his own children.

MOST INSPIRATIONAL FIGURE

FAVORITE QUOTE

"When it comes to skating, I don't care if I have to dehydrate myself, I am going to put my all into it every time.  Some people say skate and then take a break on a slow song but I am not doing that.  I have paid my money, laced up my skates and I am not sitting down - that is what people want to do, they want to walk in and crawl out."

HOBBIES

PERSONAL