Point native, UWSP alum, inducted into Curling Hall of Fame
Metro Wire Staff
Three highly-esteemed members of the curling community who have been active in growing the sport for decades are the latest inductees into the United States Curling Association Hall of Fame.
David Garber, Mosinee, joins Andy Anderson of Chicago and Russ Lemcke from Falmouth, Mass., with entry into the USCA Hall of Fame in the builder category, joining an elite group of curlers who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to curling in the United States and worldwide.
Garber is a graduate of P.J. Jacobs High School and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, was the USCA’s first executive director and served in the role (later as chief operating officer) from 1985-2006. Garber started as a quarter-time independent contractor, with a USCA budget of $110,000.
Upon retirement, he was a full-time employee with seven full-time staff and a budget of about $1.3 million. Garber was responsible for establishing the USCA office in Stevens Point; developing a professional staff from scratch; and maintaining a professional headquarters operation that passed every annual financial audit by the U.S. Olympic Committee, CPA, and the periodic audit by U.S. government non-profit auditors over a 21-year period.
A major role for Garber was to successfully ensure an effective and productive relationship between athletes, staff and the USCA Board of Directors.
“There are many attributes that I could write about David. But, thinking about his long tenure at the USCA, I believe he was the glue that kept us together,” said Peggy Hatch, past president of the USCA Board of Directors, in a letter of support for Garber’s nomination. “With volunteer leadership coming and going year after year—each with a different strength and style—David was the constant.”
Garber was involved in ensuring that the USCA became a U.S. Olympic Committee member. He was the editor of the United States Curling News from 1991-2002, hiring his successor, and is listed on the current masthead as Editor Emeritus. He also writes a popular column titled “Tales from Sheet Nine.”
“What a privilege it has been to work with the great people of the curling community in Stevens Point, the state of Wisconsin, nationwide and worldwide,” Garber said. “To not only curl but make a career in curling for 50 years has been a gift. My dad taught me to curl at age 12 in 1961. Curling at the Stevens Point Curling Club was a terrific family and friend activity.”
Garber added he was “grateful” for the honor.
The United States Curling Association Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed to the sport of curling in three categories: a builder, a curler or a builder/curler. The Hall of Fame is housed at the USCA national office in Stevens Point.
Nominations are accepted throughout the calendar year with an annual submission deadline of June 1. Guidelines and more information can be found at www.teamusa.org/usa-curling/about-us/inside-usa-curling/hall-of-fame.
USA Curling is sponsored by AtomOS, Nike, Brooms Up Curling Supplies, Carhartt, CryoMAX 8-Hour Cold Pack, Sitrin, The RAM Restaurant & Brewery, Thorne, BalancePlus, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Twin Cities Orthopedics, and is partnered with Carhartt, Brakebush, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, United Airlines, 12th End Sports Network, IHG, and CurlingZone.