// TRAINING TIPS FROM JON


Please say thank you Remember to give back:


Many hands make light work By Jon Mielke, USCA Level III instructor & Level III coach


articles posted on club bulletin boards – I am truly flattered. My articles are intended for club curlers who want to improve. I hope you have found them helpful. If you have ideas for future articles, please let me know. I am going to deviate from my traditional theme for this article – I want


I


to talk a bit about my Nov. 16th induction into the United States Curling As- sociation Hall of Fame during the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Fargo, N.D. It was a day that I will never forget, especially being surrounded by my immediate family, all my siblings and their spouses, other family mem- bers, and curling friends from all around the U.S. and Manitoba. The induc- tion ceremony and subsequent championship men’s game was followed by a reception with 200 guests, a reception that I shared with my close friend and fellow Hall of Famer, Jerome Larson. With all that as background, I want to paraphrase my concluding com-


ments at the induction ceremony – comments that you will hopefully take to heart. I reminded folks that curling in the U.S. is almost totally a labor of love that is made possible by volunteers. These are the people who organize major championships and conduct fundraisers that build new facilities like the beautiful new club in Fargo. These volunteers are also the folks who make and maintain the ice at


local clubs. They are the people who organize leagues and run learn-to- curl sessions that bring new curlers into our clubs. They run junior pro- grams and organize bonspiels and maintain club websites. They help start arena clubs in places that we never dreamt about 10-15 years ago. They sell advertising to generate income for their club and they carry out garbage,


have been writing delivery technique and basic strategy articles for Curling News for about three years. I have received numerous com- ments from folks all over the country and occasionally even see my


and sometimes they even get to curl a game or two. These are the people who make curling


possible in the U.S. They give us all the op- portunity to play the game that we love. Unfortunately, they are often taken for granted and their good deeds go unrecognized. Please, look around your club and remember to say “Thank You!” to the


people who make your club run. A simple and sincere “thank you” means a great deal. Maybe even consider giving someone really special a gift card or some other token of your appreciation. Or even better, maybe offer to help them out with what they do for your club. Many hands make light work. I was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a “Builder.” I was an okay curler,


but lots of people beat me repeatedly over the years. I am in the Hall be- cause I volunteered. I cannot tell you how much it means to be recognized, especially at that level. Please, do not take your club’s volunteers for granted. Please recognize


who is doing the work around your club and, at a minimum, say “Thank You!” They are the people who are making it possible for you to enjoy our great game of curling. Jon Mielke is a Level III instructor and a Level III coach. He a member


of Bismarck’s Capital Curling Club and a 2012 inductee into the United States Curling Hall of Fame. All of his previous articles are available in USA Curling’s website under Clubs – Curling News – Columnists.


// ROAD TO SOCHI


Jon Mielke is presented his Hall of Fame plaque by his son, Matt, during a special induction ceremony during the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in November in Fargo, N.D.


8 )) usacurl.org


Team USA's Jared Zezel (l-r) and Jessica Schultz appeared on NBC's "Te Today Show" on Jan. 23 in New York City for the official unveiling of Ralph Lauren's opening ceremony apparel for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games with Carson Daly and David Lauren, Ralph Lauren's son.


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