Shani Davis took the ice again Friday evening at Evanston’s city ice rink. But this time, instead of skates, he wore Olympic gold and silver medals.

“When I was over there in Torino and things were looking bad, I kept in mind all the people that I could possibly make proud someday just by going out there and doing my best, representing Chicago and representing Evanston,” Davis said. “I kept that in my heart. These are for you.”

About 400 people welcomed Davis home to where his skating career began at the Robert Crown Community Center and Ice Complex, 1701 Main St.

On a stage on the ice, Doug Gaynor, Evanston’s parks/forestry and recreation director, presented Davis with a public skating pass, a “Skate Guard” T-shirt and a sports bag while receiving loud approval from the audience.

“You can skate here for free,” Gaynor said. “It will never expire.”

Davis began skating at age 6 with Evanston Speedskating Club under the coaching of Sanders Hicks. An Olympic champion and the 2006 World Allround champion, Davis lives in Calgary, Canada, but he occasionally returns to Evanston to coach speedskaters.

“Ever since my first summer, he’s always been around,” said 16-year-old Michael Walsh, a four-year member of Evanston Speedskating. “He always tries to push us to that point a little farther than we thought we could go.”

With “We Are the Champions” playing, people moved to a reception in the gymnasium. Davis stopped at each table in the room to make the first cut in a number of cakes donated by Bennison’s Bakery. Fans waited for autographs in a line that wrapped around the room.

Sean McKenna, 44, an Evanston software developer, braved the crowd with his children Nina and Joe.

“I just don’t see the point in lining up for an autograph,” McKenna said.

But he said that Nina, a 10-year-old figure-skater, and Joe, 9, considered it worth the trouble. Joe had decided to try speedskating a month ago.

“I picked it (speedskating) up from Shani and other guys who are really fast,” Joe said. “I already got my skates.”

Parents supported their children’s excitement but also valued the message Davis has sent to young athletes and parents.

“When you think of parents pushing kids toward the traditional sports, there are a lot of other activities our kids can do,” said Sarah Briggs, a 32-year-old mother and teacher in Chicago.

Vera Calovic, 49, a teaching assistant from Skokie, said she could see the effect Davis has had on children.

“You see the little kids with the open eyes and mouths,” Calovic said. “It means a lot to the kids. (Shani is) our baby, our role model, our pride of Evanston.”

Robert Lloyd, manager of the Robert Crown Center, said he started planning the free event when Davis won the gold medal in February.

“Shani was at my house a lot because I had a teenage daughter that used to braid hair, and he had long hair,” Lloyd said. “He came over to my house to get his hair braided all the time. He’s just an all-around good guy.”

Davis stayed for about two and a half hours, during which he signed autographs and later went into a separate room for family and close friends.

“People would say to me, ‘Shani, how come you aren’t smiling on T.V.?'” Davis said. “And I say, ‘I’ve got a job to do. I’ve got to finish my job.’

“Now my job’s done.”

Reach Sarah Tompkins at [email protected].