Official publication of the United States Association Established 1945

If they build it ... the curlers will come

• Arena Nationals Results, P. 14 • Plan your summer bon-cation, P. 19 • Curling Combine set, P. 8 6.50 $ June 2014 June 2014 Volume 69 Issue 5 www.usacurl.org Rock Stars Official publication of the United States Curling Association Established 1945

Editor Terry Kolesar, [email protected] USA Curling National Office AMERICAN CURLING Associate Editor Rick Patzke 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482 FOUNDATION & MUSEUM Emeritus Editor David Garber Office: 715-344-1199 // Fax: 715-344-2279 The Museum is located at the Chicago Curling Club, Design Terry Kolesar [email protected] // www.usacurl.org 555 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 United States Curling Association National Office staff USCA HALL OF FAME Officers Administrative assistant The United States Curling Association Hall of Fame President Dave Carlson Jenny Biadasz, [email protected] is located at the national office, 5525 Clem’s Way, Vice Presidents Rich Lepping, Sam Williams CONTROLLER Stevens Point, WI 54482. Treasurer Sean Silver Sandy Robinson, [email protected] Secretary Gordon Maclean Development Associate U.s. Women’s Curling Association Christy Hering, [email protected] Board of Directors (through 6/30/2014) OFFICERS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Paul Badgero [GLCA, 2015] PRESIDENT Shelley Dropkin Terry Kolesar, [email protected] Kent Beadle [MN, 2015] FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Jeannie Borland Director of GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT [AAC, 2013] SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Donna Pearson Kim Nawyn, [email protected] Dave Carlson [WI, 2016] SECRETARY Elaine Ritchie Interim CHIEF executive OFFICER Maureen Clark [AAC, 2013] TREASURER Mary Glowacki Rick Patzke, [email protected] Gabrielle Coleman [MOPAC, 2014] USCA LIAISON Jennifer Stannard [AAC, 2013] communicationS Nancy Wilhelm Dave Flippo [AK, 2014] Off-site National staff PROMOTIONS Nancy Seitz Next editorial deadline: Aug. 8, 2014 Dean Gemmell [AAC, 2013] Fundraising MANAGER Please send all correspondence for submission to Troy Gorans [MN, 2016] Michelle Schleibaum, [email protected] Peggy Hatch** [WCF, 2014] Editor, U.S. Curling News, 5525 Clem’s Way, Director of High Performance Cyndee Johnson [MN, 2014] Stevens Point, WI 54482 or via e-mail to Derek Brown, [email protected] Nick Kitinski [MOPAC, 2015] [email protected]. US: +1 715-254-5024 // UK: +44 7793 099668 Jan Legacie [ND, 2014] The United States Curling News (ISSN 1064-3001; National Coaches Rich Lepping [WI, 2015] USPS 392-020) is published quarterly by the United Scott Baird, [email protected] Gwen Krailo-Lyons [GNCC, 2016] States Curling Association, 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Al Hackner, [email protected] Gordon Maclean [GLCA, 2016] Point, WI 54482. Subscription price for non-USCA John Benton, [email protected] James Pleasants [WA, 2016] members: $24.95 per year (North America), $34.95 Phill Drobnick, [email protected] [AAC, 2013] per year (overseas), payable in US currency. Single National Wheelchair Coach Leland Rich** [WCF, 2015] copy price: $6.50. Advertising rates on request. Estab- , [email protected] Sean Silver [IL, 2015] lished 1945. Periodicals postage paid at Stevens Point, National Wheelchair Assistant Coach Chris Sjue [ND, 2013] Wis., and additional offices. Postmaster sends address Rusty Schieber, [email protected] Jennifer Stannard [USWCA, 2015] changes to U.S. Curling News, 5525 Clem’s Way, National Wheelchair Curling Scott Stevinson [At-Large, 2016] Stevens Point, WI 54482. Download the Curling News Outreach Development Director Mark Swandby [WI, 2014] app for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Kindle Fire HD. Marc DePerno, [email protected] [AAC, 2013] Head Ice Technician Beau Welling* [WCF, 2014] Dave Staveteig, [email protected] Sam Williams [GNCC, 2014] 701-772-0705 * Board-elected ** Voice, no vote Contents Departments & features // growth & development 4-5, 7, 12-13 // paralympic news 06, 21 // high performance 08 // championships 09, 14-18 // USCA news 10-11, 20 // Certifications 18 // college curling 18 // meetings & webinars 18 Arena Nationals 14 // rocket exhaust 18 // bonspiel calendar 19 // Eight Enders 21 // championship calendar 22-23 // comics 23 // Bonspiels 24-25

columns // reports from the warm room 04 // training tips from jon 05 // From the editor's desk 26 // Tales from Sheet Nine 27

CO curlers help 12 bring sport to NM USA CURLING SPONSORS

7 Breaking Ground On the cover: Event finalists at the 2014 Arena National Championships (top); 24 Bonspiel Results ground-breaking ceremony for Triangle Curling Club in North Carolina (main); in North Carolina and 2014 Arena National champions – Stephanie Senneker rink of Kalamazoo. // Reports from the Warm Room What if your heart stopped on the ice?

By Kim Nawyn, Director of Growth & AEDs typically cost between $1,000 and Development, [email protected] $2,000. A member of the Wausau Curling Club or the past 10 months, I was involved noted that their AED was donated by several curl- in a leadership training program run ers who are practicing physicians and recognize by the business council in Portage the value of placing these devices in recreational ing Association’s budget? This webinar will ad- County,F Wis. In addition to monthly sessions on facilities. Some organizations offer assistance dress the Fiscal Year 2015 budget process. It also topics such as running meetings and successful to community groups for purchasing AEDs. A will highlight details about the upcoming Mem- negotiations, we were required to design a proj- list of possible funding sources can be found on ber Assembly. ect to benefit the local community. My group’s the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation website, • September: Ever wonder about the organiza- efforts focused on increasing local awareness of http://www.sca-aware.org/finding-funding. tion’s relationship with the World Curling Fed- automated external defibrillators (AEDs), com- Although AEDs are user-friendly, it is im- eration (WCF)? A representative to the WCF will puterized medical devices designed to check an portant that club members understand the cir- speak about why this relationship is important unconscious person’s heart rhythm and deliver a cumstances under which these machines should and how U.S. curling benefits from it. life-saving shock if needed. be used. Annual meetings in the fall and spring • November: It’s championship season! The In the months leading up to this project, sev- are a good time to educate members of the club chairperson of the Championships Committee eral clubs contacted the USA Curling office for about when to use the device. Consider inviting will speak about the various types of competi- advice on whether they should purchase an AED. an EMS or other medical professional to give a tive events in which USCA members are eligible At first, I knew relatively little about the device brief demonstration to the club. A tutorial can to compete. The United States Women's Curling and wondered about legal issues surrounding its also be found at http://www.heartrescuenow. Association (USWCA) also will discuss their de- use. After learning more about benefits of these com/. Knowing what to do in an emergency is velopmental programs. machines, I began to look for them when visiting key to an effective response. Specific dates will be announced soon. All we- curling clubs. While not all dedicated ice facili- To view the AED Awareness Public Service binars are recorded and posted to the USA Curl- ties possess this equipment, many ice skating fa- Announcement produced by Leadership Portage ing website under About Us/Inside USA Curling/ cilities that house arena-based clubs are required County Class of 2014, visit https://www.youtube. Webinars. n to have one. com/watch?v=prq-GAOp97E. According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest SAVE THE DATE! Foundation, “424,000 people in the U.S. (more The inaugural U.S. Curling Association Mem- than 1,000/day) experience EMS-assessed out- ber Assembly will be held Oct. 9-12 at the Den- of-hospital non-traumatic SCA [each year], and ver Airport Marriott at Gateway Park in Aurora, nine out of 10 victims die” (http://www.sca- Colo. Informational sessions focused on issues aware.org/about-sca). Access to an AED can be relevant to running a curling club will primarily lifesaving for someone who suffers sudden cardi- take place on Oct. 10-11, and will include topics ac arrest. The best opportunity for restarting the such as recruiting/retaining curlers and building heart is in the first few minutes following arrest; a curling club. The schedule of seminar topics, chance for survival decreases by 7-10 percent per guest speakers, and registration details will be minute. Few survive if CPR and shock from an publicized this summer. In addition to the semi- AED is not delivered within the first 15 minutes nars, special events are being planned at the new following the attack (Portage County C.A.S.T dedicated-ice facility housing the Denver Curl- Team Presentation). By acting quickly, you can ing Club, which is scheduled to open this Sep- save a life! tember. Seminars are free to all members of the Should a club member suddenly collapse and U.S. Curling Association. stop breathing (or stop breathing normally), USA Curling transition webinars also are cur- have someone immediately call 9-1-1, start CPR rently being planned throughout the upcoming (if you don’t know CPR, the 9-1-1 operator can season. Webinars held in May and June focused guide you), and turn on the AED as soon as it on the transition process surrounding the new is brought to the unconscious person. Special bylaws, member development programs, and the training is not needed to successfully use an high performance program. Keep an eye out for AED; voice prompts guide the user. The AED upcoming webinars, including: will not shock anyone who doesn’t need it. • August: Have questions about the U.S. Curl-

4 )) usacurl.org // Training Tips from Jon

Need members? Consider social media

By Jon Mielke, USCA Level III Instructor 60 cents for each recipient that clicked on a link & Level III Coach that directed them to either the club’s website or Facebook page. You can also set a time limit on ow does your club advertise Learn- the ad. Once related costs reach your prescribed dividual members. The Olympic effort brought to-Curl open houses? Over the years, budget or the deadline date, the ad will close. A in several more new teams that participated in a my home club (Capital Curling Facebook dashboard will enable you to watch ad four-week mini-season. With 70-80 new mem- ClubH in Bismarck, N.D.) has used all the tradi- results in real time. In our club’s case, the initial bers, the $2,000 Facebook promotions paid huge tional promotional tools – newspaper ads, bou- ad was viewed by nearly 30,000 Facebook users dividends and is something that is being planned levard signs on the busy street that runs by the and more than 1,000 of these individuals clicked again to kick off the new season. We may have club, public service announcements, and even on the ad to get more information. to create new leagues at non-traditional times washroom advertising. They all worked, to some Three things amazed me when I showed up to to accommodate all the new members – a nice extent, but it was getting harder and harder to help instruct at the first Learn-to-Curl session. problem to have! generate attendance, especially since most of our First, there were lots of people there. Facebook It is also worth noting that, for the first time club’s members had already invited their friends had obviously reached people and those who ever in our club’s 32-year history, we charged and family and co-workers to try curling in prior were interested showed up. The second thing that people to participate in the Olympic learn-to- years. struck me was that attendees were not there with curl sessions. It appears that the $10 fee did not This year the club tried something new – it club members, they came on their own. Club hurt attendance and it nearly covered related spent $2,000 on two Facebook promotions, one members can certainly recruit new curlers, but promotional expenses. Could it be that if it is at the start of the season and one corresponding so can today’s social media. free, it may not be worth anything, but if you with the Olympics. It was well worth the invest- The other thing that really impressed me was charge for it, it must be valuable? Clubs all over ment and may be something that your club wants the age of the people who came. They were not the country have been finding out that curling to consider. old like me – they were young, energetic, enthusi- has value and that they should not be selling Up front, I confess that I am not a techy per- astic, and pretty athletic. They were just the kind themselves short. son. Everything that I am about to tell you is of new blood that many clubs may need. Social media, like Facebook, is outside the based on what others in my club did and/or told We ran three sessions at the start of the season traditional promotional box for senior statesmen me. But the results were astounding and worth and three in conjunction with the Olympics. We like me, but it is how today’s younger generation passing along. started each session with a brief warm room pre- communicates and participates. It may be some- The first thing your club needs to have is sentation and had attendees sign in (name, phone thing that your club wants to consider as it plans a Facebook page that contains details on the number, and email address). At the end of each for the upcoming season. event(s) that you are promoting. A website is also session, we asked people who were interested in For more information on the Capital Curling highly recommended, but it is not an absolute signing up for league play to visit with one of the Club’s Facebook promotional efforts or related necessity for Facebook advertising. Your club’s instructors and their interest was noted on the learn-to-curl sessions, please contact Dave Jen- Facebook page (and website) is where people will sign-in sheet. They were asked if they were in- sen at [email protected] or- be directed if they click on the ad that you even- terested as an individual or if they already had Tucker Smith at [email protected]. For informa- tually put in place. a team of players and what nights worked for tion about our Learn-to-Curl sessions, contact Once you have a Facebook page established, them. They also were invited to come back for Roger Smith at [email protected]. you use that site to place an ad. There also is a an “advanced” learn-to-curl night so they could Until next time – Good Curling! help number for first-time users. You can post a get some additional introductory instruction and picture and script and prescribe recipient demo- play a few more ends before jumping into league Jon Mielke is a Level III instructor and a Level graphics. In our case, we targeted people between play. III coach. He a member of Bismarck’s Capital the ages of 25 and 50 that lived within 50 miles The real proof of success for all of this invest- Curling Club and a 2012 inductee into the United of Bismarck. ment (both cash and manpower) is new mem- States Curling Hall of Fame. All of his previous My club set a budget limit of $1,000 per cam- bers. In our case, the pre-season learn-to-curl articles are available in USA Curling’s website un- paign and chose an option that charged up to effort brought in 12 new teams and several in- der Clubs – Curling News – Columnists.

usa Curling (( 5 USCA News Paralympic grant to support upcoming camps, outreach clinics Lake Placid to host three-day camp in September

.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), announced that the United States Curling Association (USCA) has been selected to receive grant funding in support of ParalympicU sport and physical activity programs for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. More than $7.5 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been awarded to 70 com- munity organizations and National Governing Bodies around the country. Through this program, grants ranging from $13,000 to $500,000 were provided to USOC partner organizations and community programs to increase the number and quality of opportunities for physically or visu- ally impaired Veterans to participate in physical activity within their home communities and in more advanced Paralympic sport programs at the re- gional and national levels. “This funding has allowed thousands of Veterans and service members with physical disabilities to participate in Paralympic sport at the commu- nity level,” said Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics, USOC. “Through the leadership at Veterans Affairs and within Congress, these funds have a tremendous impact on the availability of programs across the country, not to mention thousands of lives.” A grant from U.S. Paralympics will aid aspiring athletes in pursuing their The grant dollars will be used to fund a three-day national wheelchair goals as future Team USA members such as 2014 teammates (above) David curling camp to take place at the Lake Placid (N.Y.) Olympic Training Cen- Palmer, Jimmy Joseph and Penny Greely. ter Sept. 4-7. Twenty participants will be fully funded to participate, where they will receive instruction from the 2014 Paralympic curling team and staff. Attendees will also receive a curling delivery stick for continuation with the sport. Additionally, the USCA aims to conduct at least three one- who first tried curling in 2008 and captained Team USA at the 2014 Para- day outreach clinics throughout the country as well as fund a team to com- lympic Winter Games.” pete in the 2014 Cape Cod International Wheelchair Summerspiel being Research has shown that regular participation in physical activity has held in Falmouth, Mass., on July 23-27. a positive effect on the rehabilitation process, self-esteem, education, em- “This is truly a win-win situation, providing life-enriching opportuni- ployment and overall health. For more information about USA Curling and ties for disabled Veterans and service members, as well as supporting the its programs, visit www.usacurl.org. continued growth and development of wheelchair curling programs in the The grant funding for this program is awarded by U.S. Paralympics, a United States,” said Rick Patzke, USCA chief operating officer. “Partner- division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, through funding provided by Vet- ships like this are critical to helping us bring the wheelchair curling pro- erans Affairs. The grants are provided to facilitate the growth of Paralym- grams to a larger community, and to finding and developing tomorrow's pic sport programming for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Paralympians. A great example is U.S. Army Veteran Patrick McDonald, Armed Forces. n

Save the date! USCA Members' Assembly Oct. 9-12 • Denver

More details coming soon!

6 )) usacurl.org Club News Dedicated facility comes to fruition in North Carolina

A groundbreaking event at the future site of the four-sheet Triangle Curling Club took place in March in North Carolina. The new dedicated facility is set to open in Durham, N.C., this fall, and will be the state's first dedicated curling facility, a growing trend in the United States. Work is underway to prepare the land for the brand-new building to be constructed. The Triangle Curling Club began operating in 1995 and serves the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill areas. “Things have started to accelerate very quickly. Ground has been bro- ken, trees are gone, grading is nearly complete and the building has arrived. Foundation work starts in a few weeks. We are planning for a fall grand opening,” said Kathy Jackson. You can learn all about the club’s building project and how to donate to assist by visiting www.trianglecurling.com. The Triangle Curling Club is well on its way to becoming a dedicated curl- ing facility. n Photos courtesy of the Triangle Curling Club website

usa Curling (( 7 High Performance Curling combine planned in July

he United States Curling Association’s (USCA) High Perfor- mance Plan for the 2015-18 quadrennial was presented to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) on April 30. As pre- viouslyT communicated by the USCA, one aspect of the plan calls for the selection of individual athletes for the 2014-15 USCA High Performance Program (HPP). HPP Director Derek Brown and an advisory group includ- ing Olympic Athletes and HPP coaches met in Colorado Springs this spring following a USOC High Performance Program best practices seminar to further develop the details of the USCA’s program and HPP athlete selec- tion process. Applications for inclusion to the 2014-15 USCA HPP were available in late May. Details of the High Performance Program benefits, expectations and requirements were provided as part of the application materials. The first ever USCA HPP Combine will be held July 19-23 at the Four Seasons Curling Club in Blaine, Minn. The USCA HPP National Coaching Team will review all applicants and select participants. Athletes invited to the combine should expect to spend one to one-and-a-half days being as- sessed in technical, tactical, physical and mental skills both on and off the ice. The exact days of assessment for each athlete will be communicated once the application review process is completed. Want to be on the next Olympic team like two-time Olympian Jessica Schultz Following the combine, the USCA HPP staff will select a maximum of 30 (above)? The first curling combine in July could help identify new talent for athletes in total (men, women and juniors) to the program for the 2014-15 future USA successes. season. Invitations will be extended as soon as possible after the combine, and no later than July 31. All athletes who become part of the program will be required to participate in a National Team Training Camp Aug. 23-29 at // C amps the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The HPP staff also will coordinate an open team HP camp Aug. 13-15 in High Performance Program Combine Blaine. Applications for that camp are currently being accepted. n July 19-23, Four Seasons Curling Club, Blaine, Minn. 2014 Junior camp July 25-27, Four Seasons Curling Club, Blaine, Minn.

Bids needed for world events Sweetlake junior team camp Aug. 2-6, Zoetermeer, Netherlands The World Curling Federation is currently accepting bids for host sites for the following world championship events: European Curling Tour Jr Masters • 2015 World Mixed Doubles Championship Aug. 7-10, Zoetermeer, Netherlands • 2015 World Senior Championships • 2016 World Wheelchair Curling Championship Open Team High Performance Camp Aug. 13-15, Four Seasons Curling Club, Blaine, Minn. • 2016 World Junior Championships • 2016 World Mixed Doubles Championship • 2016 World Senior Championships National Team Training Camp Aug. 23-29, Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colo. If interested in bid- ding, reach out to Keith Wendorf at Prague Adult Curling Camp Aug. 24-28, Prague, Czech Republic keith.wendorf@ worldcurling.org. U.S. Paralympic Camp for Disabled Please note that all service members and veterans bids for U.S. host Sept. 4-7, Lake Placid, N.Y. cities have to be submitted by the U.S. Curling Asso- For more information on any of thes camps, visit the calendar section on ciation. our website to find links.

8 )) usacurl.org Championships Host sites needed for 2015, 2016 events

By Christy Hering, USA Curling Development Associate minimum) SA Curling is still looking for sites to host the 2015 U.S. Mixed • 2016 Women’s Nationals Challenge Round: Jan. 6-10, 2016 (three- National Championship (March 21-28) and 2015 Women’s sheet minimum) Nationals Challenge Round (Jan. 7-11). If your club has never • 2016 U.S. Senior Men’s National Championships: Jan. 27-31, 2016 hostedU a USA Curling Championship event, or you’d like to host again, now (four-sheet minimum) is your chance to take this great opportunity. Host clubs play an important • 2016 U.S. Senior Women’s National Championships: Jan. 28-31, role in providing an environment to determine our national teams while 2016 (3- or 4-sheet minimum) also getting the opportunity to showcase the great facility and community • 2016 U.S. Club National Championships: March 5-12, 2016 (four- its club members call home. Without the support of our member clubs, sheet minimum) none of this would be possible. • 2016 U.S. Mixed National Championship: March 19-26, 2016** If your club has an interest in hosting, please review helpful information (four-sheet minimum) about the hosting experience, which can be found on our website at: http:// *dates subject to change pending International Olympic Committee pro- www.curlingrocks.net/USA-Curling/Events/Championships/Hosting- gram adjustments Events (see link to informational packet on hosting events in center of the **dates subject to change pending addition of World Mixed Champion- page). Bids can be submitted via our online host bid form. Knowing that ship club calendars fill up fast, we encourage you to bid early whenever possible. Please be aware that many events are accordion in nature, meaning that Event bids received by July 15 will receive first consideration. the start and end dates are moveable depending upon how many teams are Bids also are being accepted for the following upcoming events: participating. We hope that you will strongly consider hosting a USA Curl- • 2016 U.S. Mixed Doubles National Championship: Dec. 2-6, 2015* ing championship event. If you have any questions or need further infor- (four-sheet minimum) mation to make your decision, please contact Christy Hering, Development • 2016 Men’s Nationals Challenge Round: Jan. 6-10, 2016 (five-sheet Associate, 715-344-1199, Ext. 209, or [email protected]. n Support our future Olympians

The road to the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games starts this summer. Show your support for USA Curling with a gift today.

Click here to make your gift online

OR mail your gift to: USA Curling 5525 Clem’s Way Stevens Point, WI 54482

usa Curling (( 9 Inside USA Curling

2010 Olympian leads a Learn to Curl session with Honolulu school children at the inaugural American Savings Bank Charity Curling Event last October at the Ice Palace in Honolulu. Aloha curling! Curling in Honolulu, Hawaii? It will soon be a reality! We are looking for experienced curlers who live in or around Honolulu and are interested in helping an emerging club, volunteering to teach people to curl, or even skipping a team. If you live in the area and are interested in curling on the island of Oahu, please contact [email protected] to connect you with the rink. Club, regional officer information requested for annual publication

USA Curling is in the process of collecting club and regional officer in- formation for the annual Media Guide & Directory. Forms can be down- loaded from the USA Curling website or by sending a request to Terry Kolesar at [email protected]. Bonspiel schedules also are being col- lected at this time (and throughout the season if your schedule is not set) for use in upcoming editions of this magazine and posting on the USA Curling website at www.usacurl.org. n

10 )) usacurl.org Inside USA Curling Together we can become the best curling association in the world

By Dave Carlson & Rick Patzke • USA teams had similar Olympic results in 2014 (9th, 10th) as in 2010 he day before the annual United States Curling Association (10 th, 10th), and no men’s or women’s World Championship medals (USCA) Members Meeting and spring Board of Directors meet- in either quadrennial. After the 2010 Olympics, the USOC cut the ing began in Minneapolis in April, three United States Olympic USCA’s funding by 75 percent from what it had been the previous CommitteeT (USOC) representatives were part of a very informative conver- year. For 2014-15, the USCA’s funding is down by about 8 percent sation regarding the best practices and expectations of a National Govern- from 2013-14. It is typical in a post-Olympic year for all 47 of the ing Body (NGB). USOC’s NGBs to have reduced funding (e.g., winter sport funding The definition of a National Governing Body is “an amateur sports or- is higher in a Winter Olympic Games year, and summer sport fund- ganization recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee in accordance with ing higher in a Summer Olympic Games year). The small percent- Section 8 of the USOC’s bylaws.” The USCA became the National Govern- age of reduction of USCA HPP funding following the 2014 Winter ing Body for the sport of curling in May 1994. Olympics is interpreted as a strong endorsement by the USOC of The 2014 Members Meeting was critical in that new bylaws were be- what the USCA is doing to move forward. ing voted on which would — among other things — effectively determine • On the Paralympic side, the USOC resource allocation increased whether the USCA would continue as the National Governing Body for more than 18 percent from 2013-14 to 2014-15. (USA finished fifth curling or not. Much has been written and said over the past four-plus years in the 2014 Paralympics, compared to fourth in 2010.) about the evolutionary changes desired to help the USCA continue to ef- The challenges are never-ending for non-profit organizations in general, fectively achieve its dual mission of growing the sport and pursuing inter- and heightened for those accepting the honor and trials of doing business national excellence, so we won’t take more space here to rehash all of that. in the ultra-competitive international Olympic world. But the members of But it is worth restating that the USOC had begun to lose confidence in the the U.S. Curling Association can be proud that they have risen to the chal- ability of the USCA to uphold the responsibilities of an NGB. lenge with a typical curler’s aplomb, and set the course for their national One of the most important ways the USCA could regain some of this organization to become the best member-supported curling association in confidence was to change the structure of the organization from having a the world. n Board of Directors involved in day-to-day operations to one that is policy- driven. The Members did just that by passing new bylaws in April by an 86 percent majority. U.S. Paralympic Curling The USCA is currently transitioning to this new structure, and the first Introductory Sport Camp Board of Directors meeting under policy governance will be held in August. For Disabled Service The first USCA Members' Assembly (and second Board of Directors meet- Members and Veterans ing) will occur in October. September 4-7, 2014 While all of the above was going on, the USCA High Performance Pro- Lake Placid, NY gram staff was busy developing the 2015-18 High Performance Plan (HPP) and accompanying resource allocation request for FY15 to present to the USOC by an April 30 deadline. Initial discussions began in the summer of 2013, under the leadership of Derek Brown, Director of High Performance. With support and input from a High Performance Advisory Group includ- ing athletes, coaches, directors and other staff, the plan was delivered on time and was well-received by our USOC sports partners. The HPP calls for just over $1.1 million for the 2014-15 season if fully supported for all “core” programs and services (those integral year in and year out to sustaining the high performance program), and new initiatives. The Nation’s Premier Paralympic Curling Camp The USOC announced its resource allocation for the USCA by May 31, and will fund nearly 60 percent of the program for 2014-15. On the Paralympic Free participation – Travel, Lodging and meals are included side, the USOC approved funding of more than 80 percent of the high per- Camp is limited to 20 participants formance program’s estimated cost of $138,000. Registration closes July 11th This is very good news and reflects the USOC’s belief in the strength of the plan, staff and athletes, as well as the leadership shown by the members Instruction conducted by and directors in committing to the continued evolution of the USCA. the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Team and Staff While some may want to dwell on the 40 percent of the HPP resources still needing to be raised through sponsorships and other fundraising ef- To register or for more information, contact Marc DePerno forts, a few points may help put this in perspective: at [email protected] or 315-292-3520

usa Curling (( 11 Growth & Development

Can’t start a fire without a spark

The Olympic flame sparks California, from Texas to Wisconsin, the story is the same – the Olympic participant spark was in the thousands, and it’s not hard to project that a curling wildfire in Colorado the interest flame (those that watched on TV, visited curling websites/ Facebook pages, phoned the various clubs, and actually took the time to and New Mexico participate) was in the millions. Colorado and New Mexico were no exception to the interest spark. Yes, this includes the nontraditional curling state of New Mexico! How often By Phil Moir, Denver Curling Club have you said curling and New Mexico in the same sentence? Well, get used to it. ver the last few years I was informed by many of my curling Denver Curling provided six, two-hour public learn-to-curl sessions colleagues that the Olympic Winter Games would provide a attracting the maximum capacity 240 participants, and putting at least huge spark in interest in curling throughout the United States. another 100 on a wait list. During the same period, it conducted four TheO hypothesis was that there would be a direct relationship between corporate events for another approximately 130 people. The limiting factor curling coverage on national television and the public’s desire to inves- certainly was not lack of interest by the public but ice time availability in a tigate the sport. The result would be a curling wildfire that would sweep local arena and the strain on an army of volunteers. across the nation. As I wrote this article I could not stop singing those two At this point it is important to note that the 1,000 participants quoted famous lines from Bruce Springsteen’s song “Dancing in the Dark” – “You for Ardsley were for open houses, (Ardsley’s Duck Soup newsletter, March can’t start a fire; you can’t start a fire without a spark,” and hence the title 2014) and the Denver numbers are for two-hour learn to curl events. It’s of this article. hard to compare these numbers because they are two different approaches Certainly the anecdotal evidence that has been communicated to me to participation, each with its own merits. Generally, open houses move a is now clear, as curling clubs throughout the U.S. were inundated with larger volume of participants through in shorter periods of time, provid- requests and opened their doors to dozens of open houses and learn-to- ing anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours on the ice depending on how curl sessions. As a former scientist with the Canadian Government, I love many are waiting. Comparing the number of participants is not a useful to back up stories with cold-hard facts. In the May 2014 edition of the exercise; suffice it to say that participation numbers are impressive and Curling News, Kim Nawyn quotes some pretty impressive numbers like fantastic in both cases. In Ardsley’s case this translated to 65 new mem- 900 people attending learn to curl classes in Dallas/Fort Worth. During bers, in Denver’s situation the impact on membership will not be known the month of February the “clubs” section of the USCA website received 138,000 views and the USA Curling Gold Map page received 40,000 views. In the same issue of the Curling News the ever-colorful writer Guy Scholz (“Throw Enough Gumbo at the Wall…”) recounts that the Ardsley Curling Club near New York City had almost 1,000 people attend learn to curls directly because of the Olympics. Similar numbers of nearly 1,000 participants in Hollywood were reported to Guy through his source Cindy Wood of the Hollywood Curling Club. I heard the same story for Madison from Paralympic wheelchair athlete Patrick McDonald. From New York to Google Analytics web statistics from the Denver Curling website, January to March 2014.

until October when it opens its doors on its new dedicated facility. Traffic to the Denver Curling website clearly quantifies this inter- est. The site normally averages 50-70 sessions a day to the home page; however, during the Olympics this spiked to 750 a day with an average of 500 sessions a day equaling a 10-fold increase in web traffic. The first spike corresponds with Feb. 10, the first day of the Olympic curling competi- tion, the second spike is Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16 or the last few days of the round robin portion. Is there really any doubt that this is a direct relationship to television coverage, and the pre-Olympic media hype? Thank you, NBC! As previously mentioned, Denver is in the middle of building a new Phil Moir (above, center) provides instruction in Denver during a Learn to dedicated rink on track to be completed in October and hoping the Curl session held in April. Olympic interest, and its efforts in spring learn to curl events, translates to

12 )) usacurl.org Growth & Development

source they are making progress to have the Santa Fe Curling Club become a reality in early 2015. Due to ice availability at the arena their season will likely be March through September. Albuquerque held its first open house at the Outpost Ice Arena on March 23 and produced the same results as Santa Fe with 180-190 indi- viduals being introduced to curling. This unique facility at the base of the Sandia Mountains already has two curling sheets installed, so set up was accomplished quickly. The Denver curlers were joined in this effort by re- cent Alaska transplant Ryan Flippo, a competitive curler who is attending college in Albuquerque. Denver Curling member Tom Whitman providing the off-ice instruction for I am sure when you ask people about the hot spots for curling in the the Santa Fe open house in March. U.S., cities like Fort Collins, Leadville, Denver, Colorado Springs/Monu- ment, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Tempe/Phoenix are not the first places they will mention. However, with the current trend and in the wake of the Olympic flame, Colorado and New Mexico are well on their way from curling sparks to being a full-fledge curling wildfire. n hundreds of new members. While there are other arena clubs in Colorado, the closest dedicated rink is Bismarck, N.D., a “short” 710-mile drive to Phil Moir is currently a director and member of Denver Curling, a mem- the north; the recently opened Coyotes club in Tempe, Ariz., is a “mere” ber of the Broadmoor Curling Club and a USCA course conductor. 820-mile drive southwest. For most Coloradoans this will be their first taste of “real” quality curling ice. Other rinks in Colorado also indicated a spark in interest that was certainly proportional to the surrounding population. Tom Whitman reported 40-plus enthusiastic Learn to Curl participants on an outdoor curling/skating rink in Leadville, Colo. Whitman says the most common phrase heard was “this is awesome.” A small city of 2,600 inhabitants, Leadville sits at 10,152 feet, making it the highest altitude curling rink in North America, if not the world. They managed to get their own second- hand curling stones this year and are now in the process of establishing an official curling club. The Broadmoor Curling Club, presently curling in an arena facility in Monument, Colo., near Colorado Springs, reported an impressive 210 participants for its two-hour Learn to Curl sessions this spring, according to Nathan Trachta. Broadmoor has aspirations of building its own dedi- cated ice facility, getting away from the often inconsistent ice conditions provided by hockey rink mentality, with its deep skate scars, Zamboni ridges and negative ice. Regardless of ice conditions, the enthusiasm of its members and Learn to Curl participants is outstanding and infectious. The fledgling NoCo (Northern Colorado) Curling Club in Windsor, Colo., near Fort Collins, has slowly been building membership over the last few years, including running two successful bonspiels. It also offered several Learn to Curl events this spring and is now offering two, three- week league sessions during June and July. Yes, curling leagues in the sum- mer months are not unusual and are becoming the norm in some of these southern curling clubs (NoCo, Santa Fe, Dallas, and the Coyotes Club in Tempe, Ariz.). Certainly, summer bonspiels are now common in places like Kansas City, California and Arizona and begging the question – Just how successful will summer curling become? Members of Denver Curling were recently invited to provide open houses in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe, N.M. Scott Stevinson commu- nicated that more than 200 interested and eager people participated in the four-hour event at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe on March 22. This was the second visit to Santa Fe for the Denver curlers, following up from the initial visit last September, which drew more than 170 participants. The successful open houses sparked the purchase of two Curling “spark” locations (above) in Colorado and New Mexico. sets of used stones from the Denver Club, and according to a reputable

usa Curling (( 13 2014 Arena nationals Kalamazoo women, Broadmoor men capture Arena Nationals titles Second annual event brings 32 teams to Lansing By Terry L. Kolesar, Editor, [email protected]

eams representing the Kalamazoo (Mich.) and Broadmoor (Colo.) curling clubs captured the 2014 USA Curling Arena Na- tional Championships titles on June 15 at the Summit Sports and IceT Complex in Lansing, Mich. Stephanie Senneker led her Kalamazoo teammates to a 9-3 victory over La Crosse (Wis.) Curling Club’s Toni Paisley, 9-3, in six ends to earn the women’s title. “Winning the gold medal for Team Kalamazoo was a phenomenal achievement for us. Having come away with the bronze medal at the in- augural Arena Nationals last year, we came into this event with the goal of returning to the finals to play for the gold,” Senneker said. “We had a tough loss in the A-qualifier against Team Walsh, but we knew that if we executed a few more shots we could still make it to the playoffs. I’m really proud of our team for regrouping after that loss to finish out the tournament as strongly as we did. It was wonderful for us to share that experience with each other, not just as teammates but also as very good friends.” Canadian transplant Guy Scholz led his Colorado teammates (6-1) to an 8-2 win over the defending champions skipped by Garnet Eckstrand 2014 Arena National champions (l-r) Barbara Little , Nicole Brinkmann of Kalamazoo. It was the first loss of the tournament for the Kalamazoo Reeves, Valerie Hart-Young, Pamela Nelson, and Stephanie Senneker. rink while the Broadmoor gang had to string together an impressive run to earn the title. Line scores: “Someone asked me if this was the toughest curling event I had ever been Women’s gold medal: part of in winning. Maybe not the toughest in terms of not having fully La Crosse (Toni Paisley) 000 201 xx – 3 stacked WCT caliber teams, but easily the most satisfying for what it rep- *Kalamazoo (Stephanie Senneker) 213 030 xx – 9 resents - a sanctioned National Championship,” Scholz said. “Yet, maybe it was the toughest in terms of how we won the Arenas. I have never been part Men’s gold medal: of a team that lost the first game of a double knockout then ran the table. Kalamazoo (Garnet Eckstrand) 010 100 0x – 2 We couldn’t afford another loss and had to win six straight against teams *Broadmoor (Guy Scholz) 103 012 1x – 8 that were all facing elimination. I mean, talk about battles. When teams know this is their final chance they bring it and you know curling – strange Women’s bronze medal: things can happen on the ice. And, most of the 16 teams in the champion- San Francisco (Davina Kong) 003 011 01 0 – 6 ship were capable of knocking each other off.” *San Francisco (Sarah Walsh) 210 100 20 1 – 7 The finalists advanced to the championship game after winning semi- final games earlier in the day. The event was set up as a double knockout Men’s bronze medal: event with four men's and four women's teams advancing to the playoffs. *Windy City (Matt Galas) 210 010 0x – 4 In the women's semifinals, the San Francisco Bay Area clubs came into the Pittsburgh (Mark Robinson) 003 201 2x – 8 finals undefeated after advancing via the A side of the qualifier. The Ka- *last rock in first end lamazoo ladies defeated Sarah Walsh, 8-1, while Paisley's Wisconsin rink got past Davina Kong's San Fran rink, 7-4. Senneker (Perry, Mich.), 26, and her team of Pamela Nelson (Kalamazoo, That set up an all San Francisco bronze-medal game with Walsh defeat- Mich.), Valerie Hart-Young (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Nicole Brinkmann Reeves ing Kong, 7-6, in an extra end. Walsh’s rink, which finished runner-up last (South Bend, Ind.), and Barbara Little (Kalamazoo, Mich.) jumped out to year at the inaugural event in Fort Wayne, Ind., had to keep holding off an early lead over Paisley’s Wisconsin rink in the final after scoring a deuce rallies from their clubmates. in the first end and stealing four points over the next two ends. Paisley, 21, In the men's semifinals, Kalamazoo turned back Windy City's Mark Ga- and her team of Laura Mitchell (La Crosse, Wis.), Sydney Schieffer (Rice las rink, 7-2, while Scholz kept his team on track for the final with a 5-3 Lake, Wis.), and Erin Hofland (La Crosse, Wis.) got two points on the score- victory over Pittsburgh’s Mark Robinson rink. Robinson rallied his troops board in the fourth end to get back in the game. But Senneker’s rink scored to win the men’s bronze medal with an 8-4 topping of Windy City. three points in the third end to put her team in control for good.

14 )) usacurl.org 2014 Arena Nationals Kalamazoo women, Broadmoor men capture Arena Nationals titles

Gold medalists: • Kalamazoo (Mich.): Stephanie Senneker (Perry, Mich.), Pamela Nelson (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Nicole Brinkmann Reeves (South Bend, Ind.), Valerie Hart-Young (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Barbara Little (Kalamazoo, Mich.) • Broadmoor (Colo.): Guy Scholz (Thompson’s Station, Tenn.), Kevin Lyons (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Gordon Harrison (Wind- sor, Colo.), Nathan Mascarenas (Windsor, Colo.) Silver medalists: • La Crosse (Wis.): Toni Paisley (Onalaska, Wis.), Laura Mitchell (La Crosse, Wis.), Sydney Schieffer (Rice Lake, Wis.), Erin Ho- fland (La Crosse, Wis.) • Kalamazoo (Mich.): Garnet Eckstrand (Portage, Mich.), Kent Elliott (Richland, Mich.), Marcus Gleaton (Three Rivers, Mich.), Chris Gleaton (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Thomas Deater (Kalamazoo, Mich.) Bronze medalists: 2014 Men's Arena National champions (l-r) Nathan Mascarenas, Gordon • San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.): Sarah Walsh (Oakland, Calif.), Harrison, Kevin Lyons, and Guy Scholz of the Broadmoor Curling Club. Kimberly Chapin (San Francisco, Calif.), Emily Schermerhorn (San Francisco, Calif.), Emily Kimmel (Burlingame, Calif.) “It was an honor to represent our club, and it • Pittsburgh (Pa.): Mark Robinson (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Brian Stuart (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Steve Buffington (Coraopolis, Pa.), Daniel Bliss was an exciting culmination of the unique chal- (Pittsburgh, Pa.) lenges of learning to curl on arena ice,” Brink- Fourth place: mann Reeves said. “It was a great finish to this • San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.): Davinna Kong (San Jose, Ca- lif.), Christina Altus (Campbell, Calif.), Loreen Makishima-Wolf year and such a testimony to our perseverance, (Hayward, Calif.), Jennifer Lin (San Francisco, Calif.) our friendship, and our good team chemistry.” • Windy City (Ill.): Matt Galas (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Gregory Stewart In the men’s final, Scholz (Thompson’s Station, Tenn.) and teammates (Aurora, Ill.), Jeff Sampson (Downers Grove, Ill.), David Jamros Kevin Lyons (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Gordon Harrison (Windsor, Colo.), (Downers Grove, Ill.) and Nathan Mascarenas (Windsor, Colo.) broke open a 1-1 tie in the third end by scoring three points against Eckstrand (Portage, Mich.) and single to sew up the bronze-medal win. teammates Kent Elliott (Richland, Mich.), Marcus Gleaton (Three Rivers, The Pittsburgh men fell behind Windy City 0-3 after two ends of the Mich.), Chris Gleaton (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and Thomas Deater (Kalama- bronze-medal matchup, but Robinson led his team of Brian Stuart (Pitts- zoo, Mich.). That put the Broadmoor rink in the driver’s seat as they then burgh, Pa.), Steve Buffington (Coraopolis, Pa.), and Daniel Bliss (Pittsburgh, rattled off points in three straight ends in the second half of the match to Pa.) to score three points in the third end to tie the game. After stealing two win the men’s gold medal. points after that, Pittsburgh held Galas and his Chicago-area teammates “Man, I thought we were done against Charlotte’s team (only two games Gregory Stewart (Aurora, Ill.), Jeff Sampson (Downers Grove, Ill.), and Da- into the B-side) when he threw that last rock in the final end,” Mascarenas vid Jamros (Downers Grove, Ill.) to just a single point in the fifth end. The said. “I had such a sick feeling in my stomach, then I saw them kicking the Pittsburgh teammates countered with a single of their own and sealed the rocks away saying they slid two inches too far. I so enjoy our team ... we game with a double steal in the seventh end for a final score of 8-4. never give up on each other, enjoy our roles, and somehow find a way in “We had a great time in Lansing and got to spend the week with lots most games to stay alive. I mean – we never quit. This is NOT easy.” of wonderful people from all across the country,” Senneker said. "I’m ex- “I had hope. I know losing that first game wasn’t good, but as long as we cited to see the interest in this event growing, and I hope it continues to do had hope and hung together we had a shot. This team never gives up,” Har- so for many years. There has been huge growth in arena curling over the rison said. last several years, and I think it’s a wonderful thing for our sport to have The women’s bronze medal game between the San Fran rinks went into a championship that encourages people from these grassroots clubs to go overtime as Kong (San Jose, Calif.) and teammates Christina Altus (Camp- out and compete. For me personally, winning the championship in my last bell, Calif.), Loreen Makishima-Wolf (Hayward, Calif.) and Jennifer Lin event as an arena curler and having my parents there to cheer us on made (San Francisco, Calif.) scored a point in the eighth. Walsh and her team of this experience even more special. I feel very fortunate and will cherish the Kimberly Chapin (San Francisco, Calif.), Emily Schermerhorn (San Fran- memories of this week for a long time to come.” cisco, Calif.), and Emily Kimmel (Burlingame, Calif.) just needed to score a The official results can be found at www.usacurl.org. n

usa Curling (( 15 2014 Arena nationals

2014 Arena National Championships • June 12-15 • Lansing, Mich. Photos by Gabrielle Coleman

16 )) usacurl.org 2014 Arena Nationals

2014 Arena National Championships • June 12-15 • Lansing, Mich. Photos by Gabrielle Coleman

usa Curling (( 17 College Curling

Rochester selected to host 2015 College Championship

ternational Airport, making transportation for teams flying in from other Taco Bell continues sponsorship parts of the country very easy. The College Curling Committee is extremely excited and thankful to of national event welcome back Taco Bell as a major corporate sponsor of the USA Curling College Championship. Last year Taco Bell committed sufficient funds to By Gordon Maclean, chairman, College Curling Committee cover the ice time required to hold this event. That commitment has been reaffirmed for the 2015 College Championship. Please support Taco Bell as he United States Curling Association College Curling Commit- they have supported College Curling. n tee is excited to announce that the 2015 USA Curling College Championship will be held at the Rochester Curling Club in NewT York, and that Taco Bell has agreed once again to be a major corporate sponsor of the event. This will be the first time the College Championship has been held out- side of the Midwest and represents a major step forward for the event. In the past two years, approximately half of the competition field has come from the Grand National Curling Club region. Holding the event in a location convenient to these schools is an acknowledgement of that achievement and fulfills a long-stated goal. The Rochester Curling Club was formed in 1961 and is currently housed in a four-sheet facility immediately adjacent to the Greater Rochester In-

// Meetings & webinars 2014 College National Championship participants (above) gather for a pre- event meeting.

Aug. 22-24 USCA Board of Directors meeting, Boston rocket exhaust Sept. 4-8 World Curling Federation Annual Congress, Sept. 4-8, Reno, Nevada 20th Annual Top 10 Continuing Shakespearian Oct. 9-12 Quotations on the Roarin' Game USCA Members' Assembly & Board of Directors Meeting, Denver 10] The rocks cheer them that fear their wreck. [3 Henry VI, Act ii, 2015 sc. 2, l. 5] 9] Pray you, undo this button. [King Lear, Act 5, sc. 3, l. 314] Feb. 2 8] Let us, that have our tongues, plot some deuce. [Titus Andronicus, Act 3, sc. 1, l. 133] USCA Board of Directors webinar 7] He thought to steal the single. [3 Henry VI, Act v, sc. 1, l. 43] May 15-17 6] Otherwise, ‘tis light, and not heavy. [Much Ado About Nothing, Act 3, sc. 4, l. 35] USCA Board of Directors meeting, location to be determined 5] He shall have the skins. [2 Henry VI, Act iv, sc. 2, l. 23] July 13 4] You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes. [Antony USCA Board of Directors webinar and Cleopatra, Act i, sc. 2, l. 43] 3] Thou canst not hit it, my good man. [Love’s Labor’s Lost, Act iv, sc. 1, l. 126] 2] I am, in this, commanded to deliver. [Richard III, Act i, sc. 4, l. 91] // Certification 1] Yet my country shall have more vices than it had before. [Mac- beth, Act iv, sc. 3, l. 46] Level I Instructor – Richard Maskel Anthony La Patka – Willmar Curling Club

18 )))) usacurl.org Bonspiel calendar Junior camp planned in July in Minnesota he 26th Annual USCA Junior Camp will feature beginner, inter- www.usacurl.org. Cost for the camp is $150 and includes meals, a T-shirt mediate, and advanced tracks on July 25-27 at the Four Seasons and camp program (does not include lodging or transportation). Curling Club in Blaine, Minn. Campers will learn elements of the Register online by July 1 using the online form at www.usacurl.org. curlingT delivery, sweeping techniques, on-ice communication and strategy. • For more details regarding beginner/intermediate tracks contact: The advanced track will also include conditioning drills for advanced per- Danny Lieburn, [email protected], 920-321-4471 formance, advanced playdown strategy and mental imagery techniques. • F o r m o r e d e t a i l s r e g a r d i n g t h e a d v a n c e d t r a c k c o n t a c t : Campers must be at least 10 years of age and have at least one season of Jim Shlimovitz, [email protected] curling experience to participate. Special selection criteria will determine • Registration questions can be directed to: Phil Janusiak, placement in the advanced track. You can download the camp brochure at [email protected], 262-770-2227

// Bonspiel Calendar

Most events below are listed Friday through Oct. 10-12 Jan. 23-25 Sunday but some may begin earlier. Check the Rice Lake, WI (Rotary) O Two Harbors, MN O club’s website or the registration form for more information. Oct. 16-19 Jan. 30-Feb. 1 Key: O=Open; M=Men’s; W=Women’s; Windy City, IL (Chicago) O Brainerd, MN W St=Stick; XD=Mixed Doubles; Rice Lake, WI M Wc=Wheelchair; J=Junior; Col=College; Oct. 23-26 X=Mixed; C=Cashspiel; Y=Youth Coyotes, AZ (Tempe) 5 & Under Feb. 6-8 F=Five-year-and-under Madison, WI O Itasca, MN (Grand Rapids) O Stevens Point, WI W Oct. 31-Nov. 2 July 4-6 Fargo-Moorhead, ND O Feb. 11-15 Detroit, MI (USWCA National) W Hollywood, CA (Panorama City) O Fort Wayne, IN M Pittsburgh, PA O Nov. 7-9 Feb. 19-22 Belfast, ME M July 10-27 Belfast, ME O St. Paul, MN–USSMCA National SM Cape Cod, MA XWMJWc Potomac, MD (Laurel) J Rice Lake, WI W July 11-13 Feb. 27-March 1 Fargo-Moorehead, ND X Coyotes, AZ (Tempe) O Nov. 14-16 Two Harbors, MN F Itasca, MN (Grand Rapids) W July 17-20 Potomac, MD (Laurel) O Capital, ND (Bismarck) O March 6-8 Nov. 19-23 Appleton, WI St La Crosse, WI O Green Bay, Wis. (USWCA) SW Aug. 8-10 Stevens Point, WI M Charlotte, NC O Kansas City, MO O Dec. 5-7 Brainerd, MN O March 12-15 Potomac, MD (Laurel) W Aug. 22-24 Fargo-Moorhead, ND O Cedar Rapids, IA O Milwaukee, WI W Rice Lake, WI O Rice Lake, WI Col March 20-22 Two Harbors, MN M Belfast, ME O Itasca, MN (Grand Rapids) O Aug. 29-Sept. 1 2015 Wine Country, CA (Roseville) O March 27-29 Jan. 9-11 Potomac, MD (Laurel) O Sept. 6-7 Stevens Point, WI X Fargo-Moorhead, ND J & O Bowling Green, OH O Two Harbors, MN X Itasca, MN (Grand Rapids) J Rice Lake, WI X Sept. 19-21 April 9-12 Dakota, MN (Burnsville) O Jan. 16-18 Coyotes, AZ (Tempe) O Oct. 3-5 Belfast, ME X Itasca, MN (Grand Rapids) S June 5-7 McCall, ID O Great Smoky, TN (Knoxville) O

usa Curling (( 19 In the news

Nominations still being Congratulations to our accepted for Volunteer 2014 national champions

Paralympic Trials: Patrick McDonald (Madison, Wis.), Da- of the Year Award vid Palmer (Mashpee, Mass.), Jimmy Joseph (New Hartford, N.Y.), Penny Greely (Green Bay, Wis.), Meghan Lino (East Do you know someone at your club who always puts in endless hours Falmouth, Mass.) helping out? Or that special helper who just gets things done without even being asked? We know every club has an endless number of these special Olympic Team Trials – Women: (Oakville, Ontario), Debbie McCormick people and we want to learn more about them. USA Curling is now accept- (Rio, Wis.), Jessica Schultz (Richfield, Minn.), Ann Swisshelm (Chicago) ing nominations for its annual Volunteer of the Year Award. Please con- Olympic Team Trials – Men: (Duluth, Minn.), Jeff Isaacson (Gilbert, sider nominating that great volunteer at your club! The deadline is July 18. Minn.), Jared Zezel (Hibbing, Minn.), John Landsteiner (Duluth, Minn.) You can download award requirements and access the online nomination form at www.usacurl.org. World University Games Trials – Women: (Duluth, Minn.), Becca Funk (McFarland, Wis.), Anna Bauman (Duluth, Minn.), Sonja Bauman (Duluth, Minn.), Mackenzie Lank (Lewiston, N.Y.) Send us your open house information World University Games Trials – Men: Chris Plys (Duluth, Minn.), Stephen Dropkin (St. Paul, Minn.), Jared Zezel (Hibbing, Minn.), Korey Dropkin (Southborough, Mass.) USA Curling's Gold Map initiative did not end when the torch was ex- tinguished at the close of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. USA Curling is Mixed Doubles: Joyance Meechai (New York City), Steve Gebauer (Minneapolis, Minn.) continuing work to promote growth in our member clubs through inclu- sion of recruiting event information on our website. Please complete the Senior Women: Margie Smith (St. Paul, Minn.), Norma O'Leary (Silver Bay, Minn.), linked form here to register your open house, learn to curl, or other upcom- Debbie Dexter (St. Paul, Minn.), Shelly Kosal (Edgerton, Wis.) ing recruiting event for the 2014-15 season. Senior Men: Jeff Wright (Libertyville, Ill.), Russ Armstrong (Lake Bluff, Ill.), Jim Wilson (Chicago), Russ Brown (Lake Forest, Ill.), Nils Johanson (Highland Park, Ill.)

Junior Women: Cory Christensen (Duluth, Minn.), Mackenzie Lank (Lewiston, N.Y.), Anna Bauman (Duluth, Minn.), Anna Hopkins (Bismarck, N.D.), Sonja Bauman (Du- luth, Minn.) Junior Men: Jake Vukich (Seattle), Evan McAuley (Sammamish, Wash.), Luc Violette (Granite Falls, Wash.), Kyle Lorvick (Seattle) broomStacking Women's Nationals: Nina Spatola (McFarland, Wis.), (McFarland, headquarterS! Wis.), Tara Peterson (Eagan, Minn.), Sophie Brorson (Minneapolis, Minn.) Men's Nationals: Pete Fenson (Bemidji, Minn.), Shawn Rojeski (Chisholm, Minn.), Joe Proud SPonSor Polo (Duluth, Minn.), Ryan Brunt (Portage, Wis.)

Women's Club Nationals: Norma O'Leary (Silver Bay, Minn.), Jill Hansen (Duluth, Minn.), Mary Shields (Duluth, Minn.), Patti Luke (Duluth, Minn.) Men's Club Nationals: Joel Larway (Lynnwood, Wash.), Benj Guzman (Everett, Wash.), Peter Sommer (Carnation, Wash.), Chad Siefert (Seattle)

Mixed: Greg Wilson (Vernon Hills, Ill.), Pam Wilson (Vernon Hills, Ill.), Collin Rittgers (Highland Park, Ill.), Michele Rittgers (Highland Park, Ill.)

College: Marina Hauser, Preston Waala, Phil Huberty, and Heather Lindahl of the Uni- versity of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Arena Nationals (women): Stephanie Senneker (Perry, Mich.), Pamela Nelson (Kalama- zoo, Mich.), Valerie Hart-Young (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Nicole Brinkmann Reeves (South Bend, Ind.), and Barbara Little (Kalamazoo, Mich.) WWW.CBPOTTS.COM WWW.THERAM.COM •find us in colorado• Arena Nationals (men): Guy Scholz (Thompson’s Station, Tenn.) and teammates Kevin •find us in oregon, idaho, Washington, Lyons (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Gordon Harrison (Windsor, Colo.), and Nathan Mas- illinois & indiana• Family Owned & Operated carenas (Windsor, Colo.)

20 )) usacurl.org in the news Swapping stories

Paralympian McDonald visits U.S. troops at Barksdale AFB

Two-time Paralympian Patrick McDonald (Madison, Wis.) visited the Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana in early June as part of the American 300 Heavy Medal Tour VIII. A U.S. Army Veteran, McDonald, 46, was joined by three-time Olympian Emily Cook (aerial skiing) for the visit to the base on June 3-4. While in Louisiana, McDonald had an opportunity to engage with servicemen and women – learning their stories while telling his own from the recent Para- lympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. “I just want to say it is a great chance to hang with the greatest military on the planet,” said McDonald, who has represented the U.S. at two Paralympic Games and three world wheelchair championships. “It’s always a great op- portunity to hang with my fellow servicemen and women.” To learn more about American 300, visit www.american300.org. n

// Eight-enders

Eau Claire (Wis.) The Kucko Rink scored an eight-ender in Eau Claire Curling Club (Wis.) league play on March 23, 2014. This was only the fourth eight-ender scored at the club in its 58-year history. The team consisted of Gary Kucko, Brad Two-time Paralympian and U.S. Army Veteran Patrick McDonald (above, left) visits with soliders at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana in June as Hentschel, Alex Popp, and Justin Shavlik. part of the American 300 Heavy Medal Tour VIII. Lodi (Wis.) On March 10, 2014, the Crary rink scored an eight-ender during league play at the Lodi (Wis.) Curling Club. Team members included Andy Crary, Chad Schroeder, Brad Crary, and Joel Crane. // Correction Stevens Point (Wis.) An eight-ender was scored by the Spatola rink during competition at the The round robin record for the Jennifer Paine rink from Ohio at the 2014 Stevens Point (Wis.) Mixed Bonspiel held March 21-23, 2014. Team mem- USA Curling Club National Championships should have been 3-6. The U.S. bers included Nina Spatola, Tony Roth, Becky Reinhart and Mark Mehler. n Curling News regrets the error in the May edition.

usa Curling (( 21 // championship Calendar Preparations continue for 2014 2016 Youth Olympic Games Nov. 7-9 Wheelchair National Team Selection Event Wausau, Wis. Lillehammer set to

Nov. 19-23 host second YOG U.S. Women's Curling Assoc. Senior National Bonspiel illehammer, Norway, is set to host the Green Bay, Wis. second Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dec. 3-7 Feb. 12-21, 2016. LOnce again, mixed and mixed doubles curling 2015 U.S. Mixed Doubles Championship Eau Claire, Wis. competitions will be included in the event, which is designed for youth athletes aged 15-18 from 2015 more than 70 countries. In 2012, the inaugu- ral event took place in Innsburck, Austria, with Jan. 7-11 the U.S. mixed curling team finishing fifth and Sixteen countries will qualify mixed teams to Nationals Challenge Round American Korey Dropkin earning a bronze med- the event based on a series of criteria set forth by Seattle (men) al in mixed doubles with his Russian teammate the World Curling Federation (www.worldcurl- Site TBA (women) (mixed doubles competition blends countries to ing.org), including the top two ranked countries enhance the cultural and educational compo- from North America. With anticipation of quali- Jan. 17-24 nents, which are paramount to the event). The fying for the 2016 YOG, how the U.S. team will 2015 U.S. Junior National Championships curling competi- be determined will be commu- Devils Lake, N.D. tion will take place nicated in the coming months. at the Lilleham- The mixed doubles teams are Jan. 28-Feb. 1 mer Curling Hall, composed of athletes from the U.S. Senior Nationals (men & women) which was built in competing mixed team so a to- Curl Mesabi, Eveleth, Minn. 2012. tal of four athletes will represent Countries quali- each country for curling. Feb. 4-14 fiy teams for the To be eligible to participate in 2015 World University Games 2016 YOG by ac- the 2016 YOG, all athletes must Grenada, Spain cumulating points, be born between Jan. 1, 1998, similiar to how and Dec. 31, 2001. Feb. 7-14 countries earn For more information about 2015 World Wheelchair Championship spots at the Olym- the event, visit www.lilleham- Lohja, Finland pic Winter Games. mer2016.no. Feb. 11-15 U.S. Women's Curling Association National Bonspiel Detroit, Mich. // Comics

Feb. 15-22 2015 U.S. National Championships Wings Stadium, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Feb. 19-22 U.S. Senior Men’s Curling Association National Bonspiel St. Paul, Minn.

Feb. 28-March 8 2015 World Junior Championships Tallin, Estonia Calendar continued on next page

22 )) usacurl.org // championship Hey batter batter! Calendar 2015

March 7-14 2015 U.S. Club National Championships Fargo, N.D.

March 13-15 2015 College National Championship Rochester, N.Y.

March 14-22 2015 World Women’s Championship Sapporo, Japan

March 21-28 2015 U.S. Mixed National Championship Site TBA

March 28-April 5 2015 World Men’s Championship Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Dec. 2-6, 2015 2016 U.S. Mixed Doubles Championship Site TBA

2016

Jan. 6-10 2016 Nationals Challenge Round Sites TBA

Jan. 16-23 2016 U.S. Junior National Championships Willmar, Minn.

Jan. 27-31 2016 U.S. Senior National Championships Site TBA

Feb. 6-13 2016 U.S. National Championships Jacksonville, Fla.

Feb. 12-21 Two-time Olympian Ann Swisshelm of Chicago (above) checked off an item on her self-proclaimed 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games Bucket List when she threw out the opening pitch at Wrigley Field on April 9 when the Chicago Lillehammer, Norway Cubs played the Pittsburgh Pirates. A die-hard Chicago sports fan, Swisshelm, who won the world curling title in 2003, has represented the U.S. at the 2014 and 2002 Olympic Winter Games. She March 5-12 announced her retirement from competitive curling earlier this year. 2016 U.S. Club National Championships Photo by the Associated Press Site TBA

March 19-26 Reporting results 2016 U.S. Mixed National Championship Have bonspiel results to report or need to get an event added to the calendar? Send info to Terry Site TBA Kolesar, Editor, at [email protected]. The next editorial deadline is Aug. 8.

usa Curling (( 23 Bonspiels

Mopac 5 & Under Bonspiel April 26-27, 2014 // Granite CC, Seattle, Wash.

place team David Wiesen, Alex Baxter, 1EW–San Francisco Dan Myers, Ralston Barnes

1ERU–San Fran- Tom Dias, Roland Gong, Geoffrey cisco Lundie, Emily Schermerhorn

2EW–Orange Joel Calhoun, Brian Smith, County Lillian Mignella, Eileen Mignella Rachaelle Grimsrud, Phillip Grim- 2ERU–Boise srud, Tim Finkbeiner, Dale Rutter Jessica Tudor, Alan Fraley, 3EW–San Francisco Winners of the Poynette Spring Stix 'n Stones Evan Elliot, Adam Kapp Curling & Golf Bonspiel were (back, l-r) Debbie Casey Fox, Larry Lieberman, 3ERU–Hollywood McCormick, Pete McCormick, Shelly Kosal, and Jon Neil, Ken Dethloff Jon Swartz, Brian Prowd, Scott Kosal. Runners-up were (front, l-r) Chris 4EW–Wine Country Joe Smith, Vic Eason Winners of the Mississippi River Open Bonspiel McMahon, Frank McMahon, Brad Hentschel, were (l-r) Duane Hebert, Bill Crail, Mark Swartz, and Dan Herzberg. 4ERU–Orange Bill Waddington, Bob Waddington, Sean Franey and David Lawton. County Stix 'n Stones Bonspiel Mississippi River Open May 16-18, 2014 // Poynette (Wis.) CC March 7-9, 2014 // La Crosse CC, La Crosse, Wis.

place team place team Bill Crail, Duane Hebert, Debbie McCormick, Pete McCor- 1EW–La Crosse 1EW–Madison Mark Swartz, David Lawton mick, Shelly Kosal, Scott Kosal Tyler Gruetzmacher, Dale Olson, Chris McMahon, Frank McMahon, 1ERU–Rice Lake 1ERU–Eau Claire Bernie Lenz, Tim Acklin Brad Hentschel, Dan Herzberg Seth King, Brad Heitzman, Dan Scheurell, Cindy Rhyner, 2EW–La Crosse 2EW–Arlington Toni Paisley, Joan Bunbury Dave Petersen, Zach Kerwin Laura Meyer, Sam Wood, Dave Phillips, Nate Phillips, 2ERU–La Crosse 2ERU–Arlington Ryan Sneath, Chris Ries Ron Lovick, Darn Wendt Mike Vosberg, Karl Schmig, Stew Wild, Dave Brown, 3EW–Frogtown 3EW–Poynette Matt Hulbert, Amanda Vosberg Trisha Wild, Sherry Brown Tim Hovre, Dennis Jacobson, Anthony Giannini, Steve Giannini, 3ERU–Marshfield 3ERU–Chicago Jacob Roberts, Darla Tyznik Tri Banh, Ray Laurin Wayne Stretsbery, David Krig- Craig Lee, Brian Kopp, 4EW–Wausau 4EW–Madison Winners of the MOPAC Five & Under Bonspiel baum, Mike Piel, Jeff Sarazen Mary Parker, Miranda Hoffman were (l-r) David Wiesen, Alex Baxter, Jim Wiffler, Amanda Shilling, Collin Rittgers, Michele Rittgers, 4ERU–La Crosse 4ERU–Chicago Dan Myers, and Ralston Barnes. Ken Heitzman, Kate Pacha Ryan Murphy, Paul Conant

24 )) usacurl.org Bonspiels

Winners of the Summit City Open were (l-r) Julie Winners of the Stevens Point Mixed Bonspiel were Winners of the Desert Ice Bonspiel were (l-r) Benson, Bret Jackson, Ben Levy, and Jenny Levy. (back, l-r) Casey Konopacky, Kylie Abel, William Judy Holmes, Ken Holmes, Kim Robinson, and Journeaux, and Sarah Frier. Runners-up were Rick Robinson. Summit City Open (front, l-r) , Kristine Smith, Mike Desert Ice Bonspiel March 14-16, 2014 // Fort Wayne (Ind.) CC Knoeck, and Renee Knoeck. April 10-13, 2014 // Coyotes CC, Tempe, Ariz. place team Stevens Point Mixed Bonspiel place team Bret Jackson, Ben Levy, March 21-23, 2014 // Stevens Point (Wis.) CC 1EW–Detroit Jenny Levy, Julie Benson 1EW–Lethbridge Rick Robinson, Ken Holmes, place team Kim Robinson, Judy Holmes Erik Sheets, Jared Coughlin, (Alberta) 1ERU–Circle City 1EW–Stevens Kyle Conroy, Gregg Markowski Casey Konopacky, Kylie Abel, Bucky Marshall, Sandy Resetich, Point William Journeaux, Sarah Frier 1ERU–Coyotes Doug Schaak, Paul Schaak, Dave Peck, Tracey Marshall 2EW–Evergreen Vince Vidrick, Angie Jones Jason Smith, Kristine Smith, 1ERU–Waupaca Fred Maxie, Peter Maxie, Mike Knoeck, Renee Knoeck 2EW–Coyotes Ashley Lowry, Michael Mann, Dan Bossler, Christy Pack 2ERU–Mayfield Jordan Wesler, Rebecca 2EW–Kettle Adam Passo, Emily Seegert, 2ERU–Lethbridge Charles Funk, Reg Nicol, Brueckner Moraine Trenton Seegert, Megan Seegert (Alberta) Bonnie Nicol, Wendy Funk Tim Hicks, Craig Fischer, Mike Hess, Dawn Hess, 2ERU–Waltham 3EW–North Hill Warren Ferguson, Doug Watt, 3EW–Fort Wayne Jim Gesmundo, Russell Jacobs, Karl Ziemetz, Lisa Ziemetz Bruce Hearon (Calgary, Alberta) Dale Kiefer, Stan Ball Jon Peotter, Carol Peotter, Callie Dan Pearson, Alison Piatt, 3EW–Waupaca 3ERU–Fort Wayne Maursetter, Erik Maursetter 3ERU–Leduc/ Randy Olson, Ruby Olson, Ty Greenbank, Rachel Sonam Calgary (Alberta) Roxanne Martin, Tasha Denyer Mike Snyder, Deidre Snyder, Mike 3ERU–Milwaukee Shepard, Michelle Shepard Michael Allen, Craig Wolsten- 4EW–Duncan 4EW–Stevens holme, Paul Kondal, Duane Les Werner, Sue Werner, (British Columbia) Point Rob Carlson, Traci Carlson Herberg Paul Salander, Tara Keeling, Mike Barry, Mike Sherry, Kelly 4ERU–Waltham 4ERU–Chicago Ryan Accetta, Lisa Salander Zahn, Keith Curren

Blazin' Brooms Open St. Paul Summerspiel June 13-15, 2014 // Four Seasons (MN) CC May 30-June 1, 2014 // St. Paul (MN) CC

place team place team Winners of the Blazin' Brooms Bonspiel were Dean Gemmell, , 1EW–Ardsley Darren Kress, Darin Holt, Calvin Weber, Dan Machold 1EW–St. Paul (l-r) Dan Machold, Calvin Weber, Bill Stopera, Pat LaBonte, Tom Pecchia and Dean Gemmell. Peter Stolt, Maureen Stolt, 1ERU–Four Seasons Ty Vietanen, John Landsteiner, Jameel Qiblawi, Ang Qiblawi 1ERU–La Crosse Matt Collom, Bob Splinter Dale Gibbs, Eric Schultz, 2EW–Four Seasons Will Raymond, Matt Fowler Adam Erickson, Lee Clore, 2EW–Frogtown Nick Hendrikson, Larry Erickson, Pete Fenson, Brandon Scheel, 2ERU–Bemidji Brian Jacobs Alex Fenson, Graem Fenson Chris Jannings, Tricia Pepin, 2ERU–St. Paul Mike Farbelow, Mike Trevor Boehne, Kristi Pepin 3EW–Four Seasons Schneeberger, Randy Eric Schultz, Kevin Edwards, Ron Cummings, John Eustice 3EW–St. Paul Paul, William Rivillas, Jason Tillman Mike Staffaroni, Mike Rik Pohlman, Jordan Kimbel, Perry 3ERU–Four Seasons Floerchinger, Sarah Thuriot, 3ERU–St. Paul Merlin Eddy Tholl, Jed Brundidge, Debbie Dexter Melissa Runing, Katelyn Furst, Matt Vetter, Evan Morud, 4EW–Mankato 4EW–St. Paul Winners of the St. Paul Summerspiel were (l-r) Cait Flannery, Aly Deegan Thor Josefson, Jared Gangelhoff Darren Kress, Darin Holt, Pat LaBonte, and Tom Paul Ellarby, Jerry Demars, David Temple, Zach Bassett, 4ERU–Owatonna 4ERU–St. Paul Pecchia. Tom Barry, Tom Kari Adam Derkey, Kyle Jacobson

usa Curling (( 25 columns

// From the Editor’s Desk Social media keeps buzzing in curling land

By Terry L. Kolesar, Editor, Where will curling be [email protected] welve years ago I departed my job as a in 12 more years? continually look for ways to keep connecting local newspaper reporter/section edi- us all together. While it may not make sense to tor to join the United States Curling club form in Honolulu or staging our National everyone reading this column, social media can AssociationT in Stevens Point, Wis. What I envi- Championships in Jacksonville, Fla., but both are really help your club communicate information sioned at the time to be an “in-between” job has a thrilling reality. and spread the curling gospel worldwide. The turned out to be a challenging career that I enjoy Social media: Our boss, Rick, often reflects more people talking about curling, the better! very much. They say seven years is the new norm about his early days on the job (he had my po- I’d be happy to chat with any of our member for how long a person will stay at one job before sition prior) when he had to convince people of clubs to help them maximize social media. hopping to the next one. I love it when I outlive the value of having a website for the association. I’ve watched a lot of curling stones being statistics (especially as one who avoids math at Boy, think about how many times you search for thrown in the past 12 years. I’ve thrown a lot all costs). Curling’s environment – the camara- something on the internet in a given day com- less (I’m still reveling in my 2009 Stevens Point derie, the passion the members and fans share, pared to 10-15 years ago. Google was birthed in Women’s League title and 2013 Brass Whisk as well as the overall work load – must be keep- 1998 and I thank it silently every day as my brain Media Bonspiel victory). While my in-turn and ing me mentally invigorated. Simply put, I enjoy contemplates random things and needs instant out-turn may not have gained any steam, thank wearing the many hats as director of communi- answers. The first social networking sites came goodness the sport has! cations, but I very much enjoy being the editor of on board in the early millennium with Friend- Have a great summer and make sure to check this magazine. My best days are spent struggling ster and MySpace emerging as early leaders to out the growing list of summer bonspiels that with layout design and editing (although without help people stay connected, all paving the way to are available. Year-round curling, who would Ben Tucker’s column to edit my job seems much Facebook. Connectivity – what they say people have thought it would become part of our no- simpler. Ha ha, Ben. We miss you.) I thrive on be- today seek – is now in a totally different form. It’s menclature? n ing busy and on creative projects. I’m bored with no longer a telephone call (but we sure do appre- the minutia (Curling News budgets; sorry, Sandy ciate it when we hear a friendly voice and not an Robinson). automated button-push request). Podcasts and In the span of my curling career I’ve seen a lot image galleries followed. YouTube grabbed our of change but most notably in two areas – club attention. The list goes on and on. Give the gift growth and the visibility of the sport via social I recall dragging my feet in 2009 to launch USA media. (I’m not touching the topic of high per- Curling’s Twitter account before the Vancouver formance. People smarter than me can debate Olympic Games because I just didn’t think it of curling! that.) would last. I didn’t get it. I thought it would be a Club growth: I started working here a few waste of my time. Now you can rarely get through Looking for a great gift idea? months after the sport’s “coming out party” at watching a TV program without some sort of How about a membership in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games when it be- twitter handle or feed being shouted at you as the official USA Curling Fan came NBC’s media darling. At that time we had it scrolls on the bottom of the screen. No longer Club? Visit www.usacurl.org approximately 118 member clubs. Today we tee- are you supposed to just watch TV; you now have to find out more! ter around 166! The Mountain Pacific region had to interact about what you’re watching. Share, two member clubs (Ogden and San Francisco) share and then share some more! Or should I say that year. They now boast 17! Two clubs that #shareshareshare? As you’ll read in Jon Mielke’s formed in my first year with USA Curling have column on Page 5, social media has a wonderful now moved into dedicated facilities – Evergreen way of connecting the curling community not in Portland, Ore., and Coyotes in Tempe, Ariz. just to a specific area but worldwide. I spend a The excitement of new cities and states brings great part of my day adding information to our this amazing energy to our sport. Twelve years Twitter, Facebook and GooglePlus accounts and ago I would not have thought we’d be helping a am amazed at the interest level. Therefore, I am

26 )) usacurl.org Columns

// Tales from Sheet Nine What it means to be a great teammate ... for decades

By David Garber, Emeritus Editor, Jeff Wright. I’m sure I’m right about this. of The Spirit of Curling and the meaning of great [email protected] Mr. Wilson, who still looks as if he recently teammates in the great team game of curling. aged out of juniors, served in the French Foreign No bribes have been solicited or accepted in re Russ Armstrong and Jim Wilson Legion with Beau Geste and, as a young man, any way connected with the publishing of this from Illinois the most accomplished helped write the modern rules of Roaring Game story. n team curlers in history? What can in 1825 at Thomson’s Tower near Edinburgh. The thisA mean? Not world or Olympic medal glory, secret of this agelessness? He is from Area 51. nor beam-armed, ice-melting sweeping prowess. Mr. Armstrong, who looks to be about 38, Perhaps it’s the Jack Armstrong All-American much older than Wilson, is an erstwhile Elvis The Wilson/Armstrong record: Boy good looks, although Michelle Pfeiffer told museum proprietor and former rock and roll • 1985 National Men’s Champion me years ago that Russ looks pretty ragged in icon (at least according to his latest news release). (fourth at Worlds)—Both (Team T. the morning. But the real evidence on which to His future plans include the purchase of the U.S. Wright) base this claim is ... these guys know how to pick Curling News and installation of himself as photo • 1987 and 1996 National Mixed Cham- teammates, and they are both consummate team editor. pion—Wilson (Team Cousins) players. These two “World’s Most Accomplished Team- • 2005 Club National Champion— Russ and Jim recently represented the USA at mates” depended, over the years, on illustrious Armstrong (Team Armstrong) their second World Championship over 30 years, teammates including fellow Illinois curlers Nils • 2007 Senior Men’s Champion (fourth both times in Scotland (Perth and Dumfries), the Johannson, Russ Brown, Mike Griem, Sean Sil- at Worlds)—Wilson (Team Good- birthplace of the game, both times, after excel- ver, Chip Anderson, Steve Waters, Grayland and land) lent performances, finishing fourth, just out of Karyn Cousins, Sandy Resetich, and the late, • 2012 USCA Scotland Tour Team (win- the medals. great John Jahant; and, for diversity’s sake, Wis- ners) – Armstrong But wait, there’s more! Wilson and Armstrong consin elders Geoff Goodland, Stan Vinge and • 2014 National Senior Men’s Cham- achieved this lofty height under the leadership of Wally Henry. To this list we can add many league pion (fourth at Worlds)—Both (Team two different skips—both named Wright! That’s and state-level team members. Russ and Jim have J. Wright) right, Wright. You got your Tim Wright and your something special when it comes to the meaning

usa Curling (( 27