VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR //


and thus communicated with half of Wausau and a chunk of the rest of the world to complete what some folks told him was an impossible dream: a brand new, innovative, curling facility equipped with just about everything any curler could want. Make no mistake, there was lots of help from fellow Wausau curlers,


as Cal is quick to note. But Cal’s nomination papers convey the distinct message that the project would not have happened without Cal Tillisch. “During the 2012-2013 curling season, Cal gave immeasurably of his time, professional expertise and curling knowledge to ensure the completion of Wausau’s new eight-sheet curling facility and dramatic growth in member- ship we achieved. We can think of no other individual who did more to support the sustainable growth of his club and that of curling in the United States in the 2012-2013 season than Cal,” Perry Grueber said in his nomina- tion paperwork. Tillisch was surprised by the USCA’s Growth and Development Direc-


tor, Kim Nawyn, with the news that he had been selected as Volunteer of the Year.


“I was surprised, thrilled and humbled. It’s


hard to keep a secret from me in Wausau. When I started this project I asked others for advice. I usually heard, ‘Don’t do it,’ and ‘Your board of directors will be a constant problem.’ Well, my board has been terrific. It’s an honor to be part


of this special group of people,” he said. Volunteerism; the concept of curling as “Community Asset”


According to a member of the VOY selection committee: “Tis year


nominations (for the award) increased to 17, from all around the nation. Candidates had a variety of volunteer skills, and were so good we had trou- ble paring down the field in order to pick a winner. Volunteerism in curling is strong. It is so clear that the candidates for this award are the type of people who don’t let setbacks stop them, they just keep moving along.” While Tillisch’s vision for a new club facility is lauded, his vision for his


own workload was less so: “Tis project was more work than I imagined it would be. I’ve curled for 40 years and volunteered for 39, and taught curling


Tillisch was speechless aſter learning that the club awarded him the presti- gious Green Jacket signifying lifetime membership – the club's highest award for service – at the club's season end this spring.


for 38. My volunteer ethic was instilled by my high school curling coach, Bill Edwards, still an active curler. Bill insisted that, if you curl and play for him, you will also volunteer to help at the club.” Cal and spouse Marcia teach in a rookie league with teams comprised of two experienced and two new curlers. Te league has a waiting list, even with eight sheets. Over time Tillisch learned, “Everyone has talents a club can use, and they will enjoy volunteering if the club gets the right people on the right projects. I’ve met more good people and had more good times in curling, on both the social and competitive sides, than in anything else I’ve done. “Curling is unique in sport," he said. "Today, with the addition of the


stick and wheelchair, virtually everyone can enjoy participating. People from all walks of life, all ages and abilities and both genders enjoy curling. Tis provides a great opportunity to sell curling facilities as community assets. Anyone wanting to build or expand can get support by emphasizing the concept of curling as a community asset: high school leagues, youth leagues, company outings, learn to curl events—no other winter sports ac- tivity has the potential for a broader participation base." Work? What work?


Cal’s nomination papers cite numerous additional efforts. Perry Grueber: “We broke ground on an eight-sheet facility on May 10,


2012, and were curling by Dec. 1 … through the work of many people. But let’s be clear. Te Wausau Curling Center was in many ways the vision of one man, Mr. Cal Tillisch. "Trough his example, Cal convinced many of us to share his commit-


ment. He donated untold hours, as a curler and attorney, in the design, land acquisition, construction oversight, fund raising and obtaining government permits.” Concurrently, Grueber noted, Tillisch spearheaded the club’s ac- quisition of IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit status. Te model Cal developed has been utilized by other USCA member clubs with Cal’s counsel. Cal spent 40-hour weeks, in addition to his day job, at building com-


A crystal award (above), donated by Jerome Larson, is presented to the Vol- unteer of the Year.


mittee meetings, daily construction meetings, oſten seven days a week to ensure the execution of Wausau’s unique curling facility plans. Tese plans were in a way a culmination of Cal’s and his wife Marcia’s curling experi- ence “at over 75 curling clubs in the U.S., Canada and overseas,” as club curlers and as 1991 and 1993 National Mixed champions; Marcia was 1995 USCA women’s champion (Team Schoeneberg).


Continued on next page * USA Curling (( 11


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