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Western and The Brier – A curriculum of curling

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Not too long ago at the annual awards banquet for Swimming Canada a guy approached with his hand outstretched. “Scott…Wayne Little, Saugeen-Maitland Hall. I was the Don of B-Middle,” he reminded me. “We were once-a-week curling buddies.”

It all came back in a big, purple, flash. 

And there it was, that familiar blending of the alma mater with the national pastime. Two treasured elements of Canadian heritage with the added comfort of fraternity through sport to weave everything together.

That kind of intoxicating feeling will be there for all to enjoy when the 2011 Tim Horton’s Brier makes it’s way to the John Labatt Centre this coming March. The historic and iconic national men’s curling championship will be played against the backdrop of one of the country’s most important and vibrant universities.

“We see this as an important step for both organizations,” said Ivey School of Business Professor Emeritus David Shaw, a key member of the local organizing committee. “For the university it’s an opportunity to participate in an event that’s community-based and to show its involvement and commitment to the community.  And for the Brier, it’s an opportunity to showcase curling to an audience that is not fully tuned in.”

Here’s the thing. Canadians are still very much tuned into the Brier. 

Since 1927 the sacred championship, which pits province against province for the right to hold the Brier Tankard, has scored millions in TV audiences and regularly attracts a quarter of a million spectators to the host arena to watch the action firsthand. The Brier has become a national sporting treasure.

It’s all about forming associations when it comes to curling. And Western has more than cemented itself with the Brier tradition.

No fewer than 11 alumni have competed in the Brier, with Paul Savage, BA’69 (King’s, Psychology), winning in 1983 alongside Ed “The Wrench” Werenich and Craig Savill hoisting the trophy while playing for a rink skipped by Glenn Howard in 2007. Add to this Jimmy Waite, MEd’82, who not only competed in the Brier but who went onto become the Canadian Curling Association’s leader for the men’s national squad. Waite was also, at one time, the women’s curling coach at Western. Another name on this list is Robert Cunningham, MBA'63, who played Lead on the 1966 Nova Scotia Brier Team in Halifax, in a tight finish in third place, behind Alberta and Ontario.

“Anytime a national championship like the Brier can be hosted in the backyard of a research intensive university, you are going to engage alumni, students and faculty and who knows where that could lead,” enthused Scott Arnold, BA’87 (Economics), who conducted sweeping research at the university in advance of the 2010 Olympics for “Own the Podium.”

“It was the first time UWO was involved in curling research and it was somewhat bittersweet that most of the on-ice testing took place at Highland Country Club, only a few years after the on-campus curling rink at Thompson Arena was demolished to make way for the new athletic complex,” he continued.

Arnold, who now consults for the CCA, met his wife, Professor Julie McMullin of the faculty of Social Science, on Western’s curling ice and both were members of the varsity curling teams. “Over 20 years later, we are still curling,” Arnold confirmed. “We both count some of our varsity teammates as our best friends today.”

London has only once been the host city in Brier history. That was in 1974 when Hector Gervais of Alberta won the title. But that was another era and now the Canadian men’s curling summit requires a state of the art arena to accommodate a swelling fan base.

“The bottom line is the JLC will be a great venue,” contended Greg Stremlaw, BA’93, CEO of the Canadian Curling Association and a Western alumnus. “It is an exceptional venue and has hosted many successful events including the Memorial Cup and the 2006 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.”

More important than the arena will be the municipality and how it melds with the university, according to Stremlaw. That’s why the Brier, London and Western are a natural fit.   

“London put forth an exceptional bid for the 2011 Tim Horton’s Brier, and given its volunteer base, strong community support and established infrastructure – London is definitely representative of the appeal of curling in Southern Ontario.  Knowing UWO is a cornerstone of the city, I think the university will be an integral partner to the event.”

Indeed, David Shaw pointed to the 250 active curlers in the London area who have a Western connection. “We see these curling enthusiasts as our core group to support our Western/Brier celebration.” Shaw said. As part of the festivities, those Western grads who have competed in the Brier and more than 160 alums who curled in the intercollegiate ranks at the university will be feted at the “Western Rocks the Tim Horton’s Brier ” festivities.

“The sport of curling is iconic in this country,” said Greg Stremlaw. “I was absolutely thrilled to become a part of one of the greatest amateur sport organizations in Canada. I truly believe that Western helped me build my business capacity and taught me the best practices which I continue to try and use in our organization.”

The Tim Horton’s Brier will take a leap of faith when it ventures out of the natural heartland of curling in the prairie west and arrives in London. But given the strength of both institutions, Western and the sport of curling, the chances of success are strong.

“I think it says something about our country in the way we bond together around the game,” Bob Weeks, the curling columnist for the Globe and Mail, once told me. “You are welcomed because you are a curler. It’s almost fraternity-like I guess. Or a secret handshake.”

The Brier is collegial just as Western is. Both thrive because of the connections they make between people of diverse backgrounds. 

There’s little doubt that the 2011 Tim Horton’s Brier will soar in the milieu of Western. At this university curling has found a special place in the curriculum of Canadian folklore.

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