The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent nonprofit committed to ending all forms of abuse in sport. This includes bullying, harassment, hazing, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual misconduct and abuse. The Center is the first and only national organization of its kind. The Center provides services to sport entities on abuse prevention techniques, policies and programs and provides a safe, professional and confidential place for individuals to report sexual abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Visit our Response and Resolution, and Education and Outreach pages to learn more about our work.
Our mission is to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of our nation’s sports culture. All athletes deserve to participate in sports free from bullying, hazing, sexual misconduct or any form of emotional or physical abuse.
Vision:
Our vision is that every athlete will be safe, supported, and strengthened through sport.
Safe: Athletes are protected from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
Supported: Athletes enjoy welcome, respectful environments and diversity is actively embraced.
Strengthened: Athletes use the skills they’ve learned in sport to contribute to the well-being of their communities. Every athlete thrives, on and off the field of play.
As curling is an Olympic sport, Windy City Curling Club complies to the SafeSport Act and is bound to report any allegations of abuse, mental, physical, and/or sexual.
If you are aware of abuse occurring in our club, please report it to a board member. All have been trained how to relay the information to the proper authorities and will keep all information private.
Matt Galas is the Vice President of Windy City Curling and a founding member. He is about to take his curling game to the next level, joining a competitive team that plays on the World Curling Tour. Starting with the St. Paul Cash Spielthis coming weekend, Matt will be playing lead for Team Bret Jackson. Before he left for St. Paul, I caught up with Matt for an interview.
Image Credit: SPCC
Most competitive curlers got into the game in childhood, or their teens at the latest. Your experience has been different. Tell us about your background and what got you into curling in the first place?
I got into curling by watching the Olympics. My love started in 2002 when it was on at 3am… which was perfect timing for me coming home from the college bars. My roommates and I were hooked. But it wasn’t until the 2006 Olympics when I moved back to the Chicago area that they were on again. Thats when we setup a group outing for 24 people at Waltham Curling Club. That experience was AWESOME and the feeling of the curling community transformed 3 of us from that group into instant members.
You’ve played in various bonspiels, and twice represented Windy City at Arena Nationals. What made you decide to take it to the next level, competitively?
It’s something I’ve always been interested in but haven’t had the chance until now. Luckily Bret Jackson reached out to me and in all honesty I couldn’t have said yes any faster (after checking with the wife and schedule of course).
Tell us a bit about your team. How did you come to meet/join them?
Bret Jackson is the mastermind… he played last year and was looking for some new team members for a run this year. I played against one of his clubs (Lansing Curling Club) on numerous occasions and got to meet Bret at Arena Nationals. The St Paul Cash Spiel will be the first time we are all playing together so I’m sure there will be some growing pains but I’m definitely excited and can’t wait to get started.
Your first event is coming up this weekend. What else is on your schedule for this year?
We are booked for Curl Mesabi in December and we are looking to add one more event before that. The challenge round is in January and then hopefully if all goes well we’ll be onto Jacksonville for Nationals.
Do you have any personal goals for this season? Any specific team goals?
Honestly, not really. I hope that we play well and enjoy curling together and have fun while doing it. I think past that it’s hard to set goals as a team until we start working and playing together a bit more.
Do you have any pregame rituals/superstitions?
I’m not a superstitious guy at all…so outside of the good curling handshakes I can’t say that I have anything in particular. Now postgame broomstacking is another story…
Best moment on the ice (besides getting to play Phil)? Worst (besides having to play Phil)?
Any day on the ice (with or without Phil) is a great day. I can’t say I have a worst day at all…sure, I’ll always remember the shots I missed or over/under swept on to lose the game, but they’re all experiences that help you become a better curler and teammate.
As for the best moment…honestly, this probably sounds a little cheesy…but there have been a couple times at Windy City when I look across at everyone playing that I get a little emotional. Knowing how our club just started less than two years ago and seeing where it is now having 48 people playing on Sunday nights is just an awesome feeling. And being on the ice and being a part of that is inspiring. Now, don’t get me wrong… I hope to have another “better” moment I can point to in February but for now…I’m sticking with that answer.
Do you watch much curling? Any favorite players/rinks?
I watch it every chance I can, but its not nearly often enough juggling work and three kids schedules. I will say I have about 40 hours of curling DVR’d that my wife continually asks why I keep.
One piece of advice you could give to any curler, what would it be?
Have fun. Just go out there and have fun…learn as you go. And ask a lot of questions every time you play. Fellow curlers love to chat so buy ’em a beer and pick their brains for sure.
Thank you Matt for the interview, and good luck on the season! The St. Paul Cash Spiel runs from October 9 – October 11. Team Jackson’s first game is against Team Workin at 1:30 (Central) on Friday 10/09. Follow along at CurlingZone, and we will post updates via our Twitterand Facebook pages as well.
Phil Darin is Windy City’s resident armchair curler who even plays from time to time. He often loses on the ice, but he always wins at broomstacking. Would you like to hear more about curling, whisky, or gambling? Are you Eve Muirhead?
https://windycitycurling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Website-Logo-300x138-1.png00Club Editorhttps://windycitycurling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Website-Logo-300x138-1.pngClub Editor2015-10-06 14:45:192015-10-06 14:45:19From WCCC to WCT – Interview With Matt Galas
The Law Enforcement Torch Run Plane Pull is a charity event that benefits Special Olympics Illinois. Teams of 20 compete to see who can move a 99-ton Airbus A300 12 feet in the shortest amount of time. Essentially, it is like playing tug-of-war with a massive airplane. I have been involved with this event since 2010, and this year I am proud to say that Windy City Curling is fielding a team. To get a better idea of what this event looks like, check out this video of my team from 2011:
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, September 19th at O’Hare International Airport. In order to participate, a team must raise a minimum of $1,000. Again, all proceeds from the event go to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Last year, for example, 83 teams raised close to $150,000 for this cause.
Image credit: Special Olympics Illinois
Our goal as a team is to raise at least $2,500. We need your help to reach our goal!
If you wish to contribute, you may do so via our team page at this link.
For more information on the event itself, check out the event page here.
Phil Darin is Windy City’s resident armchair curler who even plays from time to time. He often loses on the ice, but he always wins at broomstacking. Would you like to hear more about curling, whisky, or gambling? Are you Eve Muirhead?
An overhead view of the first night at Windy City Curling.
Seems like just yesterday that everyone met at Windy City for the first week of curling. April 3, 2014.
And although everyone has their memorable points from the past year, I just wanted to highlight a few of mine.
The Opening Night Cake
TEAM JEFF GALAS WINS THE FIRST LEAGUE
Despite personally throwing many stones through the house to actually getting stones in play, our team was able to take the first league championship.
Windy City’s 1st League Champions: Jacob Widlowski, Dan Mulka, Simon Ganet, Elvis Presley (alternate) and Jeff Galas (skip)
HALLOWEEN
Although I personally spent most of the summer at work and had to miss a few months of curling, Halloween at Windy City was definitely one to remember. Well, when you see this Jack O Lantern … you know you are at home.
Halloween Genius
Halloween
More Halloween
Even more Halloween
NEO FROM THE MATRIX’S ‘SWEEPING’ SAVES US A POINT
I truly wish I had a photo of this, but I’m going to do my best to describe it. And, maybe some Photoshop.
Fun with Photoshop
I was the Vice for Team Wolanik – and Andy was shooting the “Skips stones.” I was in the house, calling the line.
Our second, Nick Solka, is amazing on the broom – really putting his heart and soul into sweeping.
On this night … he slipped. Ended up on his back, in front of the stone. Now, from my angle, this all happened in super-slow motion …
He slipped in front of the stone – with him brook going flying sideways down the ice.
In a “hurting my back just thinking about it” moment – he went into a back bridge to have the stone go under him.
The stone makes it under Nick, bounces off an opponents rock and barely squeaks closer to the button for the point.
Now, if I remember right, we probably only took 2 points that game … but sometimes a shot like that can turn a severe butt-kicking into a memorable-in-a-funny-way enjoyable game.
Nick Solka was uninjured on the play.
BONSPIELS
For those really new to the curling world, bonspiels are curling tournaments. I participated in a few different bonspiels. The Prairie State Challenge, the ICA 5 & Under, the Big Spiel in Minnesota and the Dar Curtis.
My teams had some good luck, and had some bad luck (including one of my mens teams getting destroyed by a group of high school girls). As arena curlers not used to dedicated ice, it took a while at each tournament to get used to our shots. It made all of us realize how much we want our own dedicated ice.
Speaking of fundraising – have you bought a raffle ticket to benefit Windy City Curling? Each ticket is $20, but gives you a 1-in-250 chance to win $1000! We actually have 9 other cash prizes you can win. For more information, click here.
Like how I worked that in?
But some of the best parts about bonspiels are hanging out with all of the other curlers, including both other Windy City members and members from other clubs. You get to meet a lot of new people and hear a lot of great stories.
THE BIG SPIEL IN MINNESOTA
As I mentioned earlier, a few of us made our trip up to Minnesota to take part in their “Big Spiel.” You know you are up for an interesting trip when the ride includes listening to a mix of French-Canadian country music and 90’s hip hop.
The Pilot on the Trip to Minnesota
Curling-wise: our team was one game away from the finals of the 8th event. This would be the equivalent of finishing roughly in 84th place of 96 teams.
At Frogtown Curling Club – Pictured: Dan Mulka, Phil Darin, Greg Torkelson (skip) and Nate Bock (sub from St. Paul Curling Club)
Non-curling wise: lots of food, lots of beer, lots of fun. We all got to take in a Minnesota Wild / Chicago Blackhawks hockey game with the unbelievably cool, two-time Olympian Jessica Schultz (who I had interviewed earlier in the year for the blog)
Pictured left to right: Lysa (Jess’ friend), Jessica, Dan, Phil, Greg, Greg’s friend
Greg, Charlie Brown, Phil
Linus and Dan
Food-wise: This is just an excuse to put in a picture of Poutine (from Four Seasons Curling Club).
Yummy ….
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
It’s funny how a season can turn. Especially in the first week.
Curling in the club championship with Team Richardson (Josh Richardson, Chuck Justis and Dan Burrows) – we were down early in week one. This includes a 5 point deficit at one point, and a 3 point deficit with two ends to play. Thought the championship was out of reach.
We forced the extra end, took the game and never looked back. We ran the table to go undefeated.
2014/2015 Inaugural Club Champions – Pictured left-to-right: Chuck Justis (vice), Josh Richardson (skip), Dan Mulka (second) and Dan Burrows (lead)
IN CONCLUSION
A lot of hours, a lot of miles, and a lot of fun From that first week a year ago until now, I’ve been hooked on the sport of curling. For those who I’ve met on this journey so far – THANK YOU! To Windy City Curling – THANK YOU!
For those looking for new stories and new friends – it’s time to join Windy City Curling. Whether its a Learn to Curl or our Rookie Leagues … you will be the envy of your friends. Stay tuned to WindyCityCurling.com for more events where you can get involved.
https://windycitycurling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Website-Logo-300x138-1.png00Club Editorhttps://windycitycurling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Website-Logo-300x138-1.pngClub Editor2015-04-12 19:42:512015-04-12 19:42:51One Year of Memories at Windy City Curling
Congratulations to Windy City Curling’s inaugural Club Championship League winners, Team Richardson! The Richardson rink swept the Championship League, 6-0, to take the title for our 2014-2015 season. Well played, gentlemen!
Pictured (left to right):
Chuck Justis (Vice), Josh Richardson (Skip), Dan Mulka (Second), Dan Burrows (Lead)
Final Team Rankings
– 2nd) Team Torkelson (4-2) Greg Torkelson
Anthony Steinmiller
Kevin Runge
Mitch Gerdisch
— 3rd) Team Stewart (4-2) Greg Stewart
Anthony Intini
Doug Morrissey
Joe Placek
— 4th) Team Dooley (3-3) Mike Dooley
Kurt Vogt
Noel Luchinski
Kelly Hemmingway
— 5th) Team Orisek (2-4)
Tim Orisek
Matt Moore
Kevin Vogt
Steve Bell
— 6th) Team Reithel (1-5)
Eric Reithel
Phil Darin
Jim Sakelakos
Donna Sakelakos
— 7th) Team Sweeney (1-5) Paul Sweeney
Simon Ganet
Kent Steele
Brian Jenner
Congrats to all of the teams who played, and thank you for an incredible 2014-2015 season!
https://windycitycurling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Website-Logo-300x138-1.png00Club Editorhttps://windycitycurling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Website-Logo-300x138-1.pngClub Editor2015-03-20 14:28:432015-03-20 14:28:43The Club Champions of our Inaugural 2014-2015 Season: Team Richardson!
