The United States Curling Association (USA Curling) is the national governing body of the sport of curling in the United States.
Curling is a rapidly growing sport in the United States and around the world. The sport has gained a significant following during the past two Winter Olympic Games, leading television ratings for all Winter Olympic sports. In February 2006, the US Curling Association web site received 100 million verifiable hits, with a record 12.5 million on February 16. Curling was the third-most searched topic on MSN.com during the Games.
USCA Mission Statement
As the national governing body for the sport of curling, the USCA strives to grow the sport and to win medals in world championships and Olympic Games.
Background and History
About curling and the USCA
- 1500s: first documented curling in Scotland and Holland. Scots develop the game and formalize rules by 1807. Scottish émigrés bring curling to Canada, New Zealand and the United States in the 1800s
- 1830s: First U.S. curling at Orchard Lake, near Detroit. By late 1800s, curling thrives in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and New York.
- 1924: Curling is a medal sport at the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix; in 1932, is a demonstration sport at Lake Placid.
- 1944: The National Curling News was founded by Glenn Harris in Superior, renamed the North American Curling News in 1945. The NACN was bought by the USCA in 1991 and renamed the United States Curling News.
- 1948: the U.S. Women’s Curling Association is founded; mixed gender curling popularized in the USA in the 1950s.
- 1958: United States Men’s Curling Association was founded, comprised of member states/regions (1980s: renamed “USCA” to recognize gender equity). 1984: USCA Hall of Fame established.
- 1959: First Scotch Cup Men’s world competition. USA joins Canada and Scotland in the field in 1961; USA wins in 1965.
- 1966: International Curling Federation founded by seven nations (now WCF). Today, the WCF has 45 member nations, and sanctions world championships for men, women, juniors (21 and under), seniors (50 and older), wheelchair curlers and the newest event, Mixed Doubles.
- 1988: Curling returns as a demonstration sport at the Calgary Olympic Winter Games and at the 1992 Games in Albertville. In 1998, curling makes its full medal debut at the Nagano (Karuizawa venue). In 2002 in Salt Lake City (Ogden venue) curling emerges as a surprise television hit. In 2006 in Torino U.S. curlers win their first-ever Olympic medal, and Paralympic curling debuts, as the sport continues its popularity surge.
- 1991: Ann Brown elected first female USCA president.
- 2008: The USCA, now more than 13,000 curlers and 135 clubs strong, will celebrate its 50th anniversary season.
