July 10th 2015 Edition

What happened this week:

• We have received very good feedback on the Business of Curling Symposium held June 26-28 at the Evergreen Curling Club in Beaverton, Ore.
• The USCA has been awarded a Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grant to support “Push for the Podium – Elite Training for the Wheelchair Curling Program.” It is specifically to support the travel and participation costs for 8 national team members to attend a High Performance Camp.
• The USCA has been awarded a Proctor & Gamble Team USA Youth Sports Fund grant of $15,000 to be applied toward our Kids Curl and Curling in the Gym programs. This is the second year we have received grant from this fund, which is the result of applications written by Kim Nawyn, and the coordination of these programs by her, Christy Hering and others.
• Dave Jensen has been hired as a consultant joining the High Performance Program coaching staff, and will work specifically with the junior women’s team.
• Terry Kolesar is still trying to get updated club and regional officer information from across the country, so any help you can provide with this effort would be greatly appreciated.
• There are still a few spots available in the High Performance Open Camp being held at the Four Seasons Curling Club, Aug. 14-16.
• The 2016 Arena Curling Championships site selection panel met to discuss 2016 host bids, as well as a participant survey regarding the current championship format, number of teams competing, etc.
• Sponsor AtomOS had a technician at the USCA office last week updating technology, including computers and software. This is just one of the ongoing pro bono benefits we receive from this longtime sponsor (with the USCA since 2000).
• Call was held with Curling Canada (CC) and Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition (RTWGC) to discuss items pertaining to the 2016 Continental Cup in Las Vegas. To date more than 4,300 all- session tickets have been sold. While the vast majority of buyers continue to be from Canada, ticketshave also been sold in 15 states of the USA.
• Had a call with the Jacksonville 2016 Nationals organizers to work through the hosting contract, discuss marketing and promotional plans, and set up a site visit for the USCA ice techs.
• The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) has issued an amendment to the Digital Media Agreement to include a mobile application that is being created for each National Governing Body (NGB) on the platform. Currently reviewing the amendment and discussing aspects of it with other NGB leaders. Budget Advisory Group met by teleconference and reviewed FY16 proposed budget status and recommendations made since mid-June meeting. We are on track to finalize the proposed budget and distribute it to the Board before the end of July, in preparation for the Aug. 20 meeting.
• Had an excellent discussion with Dow this morning as we continue to work toward establishing a partnership. We anticipate hearing more details back from Dow next week.
• Met with representatives of the U.S. Olympic Team Training Site in Blaine, Minn., today to discuss further opportunities for partnership, engaging USOC sponsors, enhancing athlete training opportunities for both the Olympic and Paralympic programs, etc.
• Conversations held with World Curling Federation and NBC representatives regarding Curling Night in American TV programming for 2016.
• Quarterly marketing reports for USOC partners Hilton and United were finalized and submitted on deadline.
• Had extensive phone conversations with six USCA directors (separately) as I continue to gather input on all things USCA while working to set the way forward to achieve the vision and mission of this organization.
• Kim Nawyn held the first 2015 Darwin Curtis Fund application review teleconference with the group set up to handle that process.
• Today is the deadline for bids for hosting the 2017 USA Curling Men’s and Women’s Nationals.
• For those who may not have been aware, we were notified last week that former USCA President Thomas Brooke (1997-98) passed away on June 30.

What’s up next week:

• A USCA Level II ice technician course is this weekend at the Capital Curling Club in Bismarck, N.D.
• USOC Challenge Grant report for Q2 is due Monday.
• USCA Operations Group monthly teleconference, Wednesday.
• The 2015 USA Curling Arena National Championships start Thursday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The USCA will be represented by Chairman Rich Lepping at the Opening Ceremonies Wednesday evening.

What’s coming two weeks from now (July 19-25):

• The 2015 USA Curling Arena National Championships conclude on July 19.