<![CDATA[The Whole Spiel]]>Mon, 16 Jan 2023 15:10:59 +0000Captivate.fmUSA Curlinghttps://artwork.captivate.fm/4b36d5db-b247-495e-b2d5-dfbdebb10d7c/dQgTFQsOOwJWgECEZY16i9u6.jpgThe Whole SpielUSA CurlingUSA CurlingConversations with the people who are playing, promoting, and building the sport of curling in the United States. Ideas for growth, best practices for facilities, and thoughts on competing. Hosted by Dean Gemmell, Director of Curling Development at USA Curling. https://www.usacurling.org/https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-whole-spiel/noepisodicA conversation with Caitlin Pulli before the World Mixed ChampionshipA conversation with Caitlin Pulli before the World Mixed ChampionshipCaitlin Pulli and her team of Jeff Pulli, Rebecca Andrew, and Jason Scott had a dramatic last-shot win at the USA Curling Mixed Fours Championship last spring. Now, Caitlin and her team are heading to Aberdeen, Scotland, to represent the country at the World Mixed Championship.

Caitlin is the first female skip to lead a team to the USA Curling Mixed Nationals title. Of course, as she points out in our conversation, her championship team also includes the first male players at third and lead, and the first female player at second.

I had a chance to watch this team win the title at their home club in Rochester, and I was impressed by their chemistry on the ice. We're looking forward to following them throughout the World Championship.

]]>Caitlin Pulli and her team of Jeff Pulli, Rebecca Andrew, and Jason Scott had a dramatic last-shot win at the USA Curling Mixed Fours Championship last spring. Now, Caitlin and her team are heading to Aberdeen, Scotland, to represent the country at the World Mixed Championship.

Caitlin is the first female skip to lead a team to the USA Curling Mixed Nationals title. Of course, as she points out in our conversation, her championship team also includes the first male players at third and lead, and the first female player at second.

I had a chance to watch this team win the title at their home club in Rochester, and I was impressed by their chemistry on the ice. We're looking forward to following them throughout the World Championship.

]]>f8e13c28-7901-4a6b-ac0a-f0fe5110c4f8Tue, 11 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -050016:14nofull215USA CurlingPalmetto Curler and Twitter Voice—Brian Champion-WestcottPalmetto Curler and Twitter Voice—Brian Champion-WestcottThe Palmetto Curling Club has an active Twitter feed. We had a conversation with the person who runs it following the USA Curling announcement on the status of the GNCC within the national organization.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can always connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>The Palmetto Curling Club has an active Twitter feed. We had a conversation with the person who runs it following the USA Curling announcement on the status of the GNCC within the national organization.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can always connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>61e19417-405f-4473-be23-1e52f1bb2a04Fri, 05 Aug 2022 16:00:00 -050043:52nofull114USA CurlingSo they're curling in Oakland...So they're curling in Oakland...It's been a long and sometimes complicated journey, but there is a curling-specific facility in the Bay Area. On this episode, we're joined by two of the people who led the charge—Kate Garfinkel and Adriana Camarena—to talk about how things are going, their upcoming grand opening, and how they are working to weave the curling club into the fabric of the community.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can always connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>It's been a long and sometimes complicated journey, but there is a curling-specific facility in the Bay Area. On this episode, we're joined by two of the people who led the charge—Kate Garfinkel and Adriana Camarena—to talk about how things are going, their upcoming grand opening, and how they are working to weave the curling club into the fabric of the community.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can always connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>d4c8b34f-61b0-4654-b86d-4674bbbd9e9bThu, 21 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -050032:07nofull13USA CurlingFourth in a Series—Quick Clips from the Five-and-Under NationalsFourth in a Series—Quick Clips from the Five-and-Under NationalsHe curls in Nashville, Knoxville, and Atlanta, sometimes in a jacket without sleeves. It's Josh Newborn from the USA Curling Five-and-Under National Championship.

]]>He curls in Nashville, Knoxville, and Atlanta, sometimes in a jacket without sleeves. It's Josh Newborn from the USA Curling Five-and-Under National Championship.

]]>6d9c496f-90f3-4193-be61-edf979ea1d65Sat, 14 May 2022 09:00:00 -050004:59nofull112USA CurlingThird in a Series—Quick Clips from the Five-and-Under National ChampionshipThird in a Series—Quick Clips from the Five-and-Under National ChampionshipA quick conversation with Justin Canfield of Nashville, TN, who talks about his journey in the sport and competing at the USA Curling Five-and-Under Nationals.

]]>A quick conversation with Justin Canfield of Nashville, TN, who talks about his journey in the sport and competing at the USA Curling Five-and-Under Nationals.

]]>b864ab20-38ce-4d5c-893b-38507ca7a871Sat, 14 May 2022 09:00:00 -050003:15nofull111USA CurlingSecond in a Series—Quick Clips from the Five-and-UnderSecond in a Series—Quick Clips from the Five-and-UnderIt's a five-person team of people who have been curling for five years or less. Meet the Detroit-area team that competed at the USA Curling Five-and-Under Nationals.

]]>It's a five-person team of people who have been curling for five years or less. Meet the Detroit-area team that competed at the USA Curling Five-and-Under Nationals.

]]>68baa5e8-6169-47ca-bd3b-d08996c5bc47Sat, 14 May 2022 09:00:00 -050004:52nofull110USA CurlingFirst in a Series—Quick Clips from the Five-and-Under NationalsFirst in a Series—Quick Clips from the Five-and-Under NationalsA conversation with a curler who has been playing for less than five years and a curler who has played in five Olympics. It all comes together at the USA Curling Five-and-Under Nationals.

]]>A conversation with a curler who has been playing for less than five years and a curler who has played in five Olympics. It all comes together at the USA Curling Five-and-Under Nationals.

]]>02c45238-2646-4577-9442-ef76182c6212Sat, 14 May 2022 09:00:00 -050003:04nofull19USA CurlingThe Drayton Curling Club Gets a RebootThe Drayton Curling Club Gets a RebootA few years ago, Tom Grzadzielski, Tom Halcrow, and a crew of dedicated curlers in Drayton decided it was time to overhaul their aging, decaying facility. They wanted a great place to play and a club that would be a source of pride. It was no easy task, but their story should inspire any club facing the need to take on a serious renovation or move from skating ice to a curling-specific facility.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can always connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>A few years ago, Tom Grzadzielski, Tom Halcrow, and a crew of dedicated curlers in Drayton decided it was time to overhaul their aging, decaying facility. They wanted a great place to play and a club that would be a source of pride. It was no easy task, but their story should inspire any club facing the need to take on a serious renovation or move from skating ice to a curling-specific facility.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can always connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>5de94c75-2fa5-4da3-8311-d6555a43aa7aFri, 01 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -050048:00nofull18USA CurlingFive-Time Olympian John ShusterFive-Time Olympian John ShusterJohn Shuster and his team of Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner, and Colin Hufman will represent the United States on the curling ice at the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. This will be Shuster's fifth trip to the Olympics, and I caught up with him for a conversation a few weeks after he earned it by winning the best two-of-three final against Team Dropkin at the Olympic Team Trials in Omaha.

]]>John Shuster and his team of Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner, and Colin Hufman will represent the United States on the curling ice at the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. This will be Shuster's fifth trip to the Olympics, and I caught up with him for a conversation a few weeks after he earned it by winning the best two-of-three final against Team Dropkin at the Olympic Team Trials in Omaha.

]]>dcf01109-2d80-477e-b0c2-2fd6f9d60bb4Mon, 24 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -050026:03nofull17USA CurlingMixed Doubles Trials Winner Vicky Persinger and Chris PlysMixed Doubles Trials Winner Vicky Persinger and Chris PlysVicki Persinger and Chris Plys won the recent USA Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling, and will represent the United States at the Olympic Qualifying Event in The Netherlands in early December. I caught up with them during the short break they had between capturing the Mixed Doubles title and competing with their Men's and Women's teams at the Team Trials in Omaha.

Remember that you can watch round-robin and tiebreaker games from the USA Olympic Team Trials for Curling on nbcolympics.com and the NBC Sports app. The playoffs will move to the NBC Sports network.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>Vicki Persinger and Chris Plys won the recent USA Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling, and will represent the United States at the Olympic Qualifying Event in The Netherlands in early December. I caught up with them during the short break they had between capturing the Mixed Doubles title and competing with their Men's and Women's teams at the Team Trials in Omaha.

Remember that you can watch round-robin and tiebreaker games from the USA Olympic Team Trials for Curling on nbcolympics.com and the NBC Sports app. The playoffs will move to the NBC Sports network.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>991ef211-02a0-4014-a0fe-44bfe145a375Fri, 12 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -050026:17nofull16USA CurlingTwo-Time All Pro Marc Bulger and Curling Director Carl Biltz from Tee Line of NashvilleTwo-Time All Pro Marc Bulger and Curling Director Carl Biltz from Tee Line of NashvilleA few years ago, Marc Bulger teamed up with other ex-NFL players Jared Allen, Michael Roos, and Keith Bulluck to form a curling team. While the results on the ice were mixed, Marc grew to love the game. So much so that he built a brand-new curling facility, Tee Line, in Nashville.

We spoke to Marc and his Director of Curling Carl Biltz about the vision, the plans for curling, and why the facility will be a first-rate sports and entertainment destination in the city. By the end of the interview, curlers will probably be planning their first bonspiel in Music City.

You can find out more about Tee Line on Instagram, on Twitter, and on their website. It's exciting stuff!

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can always connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>A few years ago, Marc Bulger teamed up with other ex-NFL players Jared Allen, Michael Roos, and Keith Bulluck to form a curling team. While the results on the ice were mixed, Marc grew to love the game. So much so that he built a brand-new curling facility, Tee Line, in Nashville.

We spoke to Marc and his Director of Curling Carl Biltz about the vision, the plans for curling, and why the facility will be a first-rate sports and entertainment destination in the city. By the end of the interview, curlers will probably be planning their first bonspiel in Music City.

You can find out more about Tee Line on Instagram, on Twitter, and on their website. It's exciting stuff!

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can always connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>44d66a5d-e5c1-4cb8-9101-e78569f6b4cfFri, 22 Oct 2021 10:30:00 -050021:09nofull15USA CurlingCraig Fischer on Building a Dedicated Ice Facility—He's Done it TwiceCraig Fischer on Building a Dedicated Ice Facility—He's Done it TwiceSince 2010, Craig Fischer has led the efforts to bring our sport and curling-only ice to Fort Wayne, Indiana. The first facility in the city, a conversion of a former bakery into a three-sheet club, opened in 2014. Just five years later, Craig and his team in Fort Wayne did it again, and moved into a new four-sheet home in September of 2019.

Craig and his curling colleagues in Fort Wayne aren't crazy—just incredibly focused on the details of the build-out and how to grow a new club. Craig has also introduced a model program for people with disabilities—it provides an opportunity for them to curl with their parents, siblings, and peers. If you're in club leadership, you'll want to learn more about it.

If you have questions for Craig, you can connect with him at craig@fortwaynecurling.com.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>Since 2010, Craig Fischer has led the efforts to bring our sport and curling-only ice to Fort Wayne, Indiana. The first facility in the city, a conversion of a former bakery into a three-sheet club, opened in 2014. Just five years later, Craig and his team in Fort Wayne did it again, and moved into a new four-sheet home in September of 2019.

Craig and his curling colleagues in Fort Wayne aren't crazy—just incredibly focused on the details of the build-out and how to grow a new club. Craig has also introduced a model program for people with disabilities—it provides an opportunity for them to curl with their parents, siblings, and peers. If you're in club leadership, you'll want to learn more about it.

If you have questions for Craig, you can connect with him at craig@fortwaynecurling.com.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And you can connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>40f367b0-3d2b-4c95-978c-52c74db50985Tue, 05 Oct 2021 11:00:00 -050037:31nofull14USA CurlingJenna Burchesky Talks Mixed Doubles Trials and Shares Thoughts on Youth CurlingJenna Burchesky Talks Mixed Doubles Trials and Shares Thoughts on Youth CurlingJenna Burchesky, playing with Ben Richardson, qualified for the upcoming Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials by finishing in the Top Four at the Mixed Doubles National Championship. Jenna grew up curling at Broomstones in Massachusetts, a club that has had a thriving junior program for a number of years. She is also working with USA Curling as a Club Relationship Manager.

Look for Jenna and Ben at the Mixed Doubles Trials. or watch a replay of their games on the USA Curling YouTube channel. Here's their semi-final game against Madison Bear and Andrew Stopera last May in Wausau, WI.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And feel free to connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>Jenna Burchesky, playing with Ben Richardson, qualified for the upcoming Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials by finishing in the Top Four at the Mixed Doubles National Championship. Jenna grew up curling at Broomstones in Massachusetts, a club that has had a thriving junior program for a number of years. She is also working with USA Curling as a Club Relationship Manager.

Look for Jenna and Ben at the Mixed Doubles Trials. or watch a replay of their games on the USA Curling YouTube channel. Here's their semi-final game against Madison Bear and Andrew Stopera last May in Wausau, WI.

To find out more about USA Curling initiatives and events, visit our website. And feel free to connect with me at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>a94c9987-33c5-44cd-98ed-5cee7d61c25fTue, 28 Sep 2021 02:15:00 -050016:07nofull13USA CurlingShane Ryan (Golf Digest) and Charles Star (Superfan)—Two Writers Talk CurlingShane Ryan (Golf Digest) and Charles Star (Superfan)—Two Writers Talk CurlingWhat can two writers who aren't regular curlers teach us about our sport? A lot, actually. In this episode, we talk to writers and curling super fans Shane Ryan and Charles Star.

Shane Ryan writes about golf, sports, and culture. He is a regular contributor to Golf Digest, and you'll find his fresh takes in countless other outlets including Paste and the sorely missed Grantland. Ryan became a dedicated curling viewer during the pandemic, and shared his thoughts on the sport in Golf Digest.

Charles Star is a New York City attorney who says he would actually, "...pay $50 an hour to watch curling on TV." You'll hear what he means by that and get other unvarnished opinions from Star in this episode. Star hosts the Hostile Witness podcast, and you can find his writing on legal matters on Vice and Slate.

Find Shane Ryan on Twitter—he's @ShaneRyanHere. Find Charles Star @Ugarles.

Finally, listen to the end to get a rules idea that just might be brilliant. If it isn't, tell me why at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>What can two writers who aren't regular curlers teach us about our sport? A lot, actually. In this episode, we talk to writers and curling super fans Shane Ryan and Charles Star.

Shane Ryan writes about golf, sports, and culture. He is a regular contributor to Golf Digest, and you'll find his fresh takes in countless other outlets including Paste and the sorely missed Grantland. Ryan became a dedicated curling viewer during the pandemic, and shared his thoughts on the sport in Golf Digest.

Charles Star is a New York City attorney who says he would actually, "...pay $50 an hour to watch curling on TV." You'll hear what he means by that and get other unvarnished opinions from Star in this episode. Star hosts the Hostile Witness podcast, and you can find his writing on legal matters on Vice and Slate.

Find Shane Ryan on Twitter—he's @ShaneRyanHere. Find Charles Star @Ugarles.

Finally, listen to the end to get a rules idea that just might be brilliant. If it isn't, tell me why at dean.gemmell@usacurling.org.

]]>7dfa39ab-841e-414d-8ff5-26c811b2a49cTue, 21 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -050031:49nofull12USA CurlingThe Whole Spiel Launches—Cam Rittenour and Evan Workin from Team BrundidgeThe Whole Spiel Launches—Cam Rittenour and Evan Workin from Team BrundidgeHere at USA Curling, we're launching a new podcast. It's The Whole Spiel, and it will feature conversations with, "...people who play the game, people who are building the sport, and people who just flat-out love it."

More episodes will be released this month but we're starting things off with an interview between host Dean Gemmell and Team Brundidge members Cam Rittenour and Evan Workin. It's an interesting conversation with two players who nabbed Olympic Trials spots last May when Team Brundidge finished second at the USA Curling Men's Nationals. You can find out more about Team Brundidge on Twitter—they' are @tbcurling.

We hope you'll listen to this episode and subscribe so you won't miss future ones. Expect interesting conversations with lots of thoughts on how our sport can continue to grow and improve.

]]>Here at USA Curling, we're launching a new podcast. It's The Whole Spiel, and it will feature conversations with, "...people who play the game, people who are building the sport, and people who just flat-out love it."

More episodes will be released this month but we're starting things off with an interview between host Dean Gemmell and Team Brundidge members Cam Rittenour and Evan Workin. It's an interesting conversation with two players who nabbed Olympic Trials spots last May when Team Brundidge finished second at the USA Curling Men's Nationals. You can find out more about Team Brundidge on Twitter—they' are @tbcurling.

We hope you'll listen to this episode and subscribe so you won't miss future ones. Expect interesting conversations with lots of thoughts on how our sport can continue to grow and improve.

]]>39f521bb-8d40-474d-a2e1-6b11c93976ecTue, 07 Sep 2021 00:15:00 -050019:11nofull1USA Curling