Sandra Schmirler

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"Sandra Peterson" redirects here. For the Minnesota politician, see Sandra Peterson (politician). For the American businesswoman, see Sandi Peterson.

Sandra Schmirler
1997)
Olympic
appearances		1 (1998)
Medal record
Women's curling
Representing  Canada
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1998 Nagano Team
World Curling Championships
Gold medal – first place 1993 Geneva
Team
Gold medal – first place 1994 Oberstdorf
Team
Gold medal – first place
1997 Berne
Team
Representing  Saskatchewan
Scott Tournament of Hearts
Gold medal – first place 1993 Brandon
Team
Gold medal – first place 1994 Kitchener-Waterloo
Team
Gold medal – first place 1997 Vancouver
Team
Bronze medal – third place 1995 Calgary
Team
Bronze medal – third place 1998 Regina
Team
Canadian Olympic Curling Trials
Gold medal – first place 1997 Brandon Team

Sandra Marie Schmirler

World Curling Federation Hall of Fame
.

In 2019, Schmirler was named the second greatest Canadian female curler in history (after Jennifer Jones) in a TSN poll of broadcasters, reporters and top curlers.[6] Schmirler's Olympic team which also included Jan Betker, Joan McCusker and Marcia Gudereit was named the greatest female Canadian curling team of all time as part of the same poll.[7]

Curling career

While attending Biggar Composite School[8] in Biggar, Saskatchewan, Canada, Schmirler started curling in Grade 7 as part of the school's physical education program. She grew up an athlete, playing volleyball, badminton, and softball.[9] She was also an avid speed swimmer.[10] She continued to curl on the local scene, participating in the Biggar Curling Club ladies' league in Grade 9.[11] Playing as third on her high school team, she won a provincial championship in Grade 12, when her team went undefeated throughout the season.[12]

She continued to curl after graduating from high school, while attending the University of Saskatchewan, making her first appearance in Saskatchewan's provincial playdowns in 1983.[13] Schmirler threw fourth stones for a team which consisted of 1979 Canadian Junior Champions Denise Wilson (skip), Dianne Choquette and Shannon Olafson. The team represented the University of Saskatchewan at the Saskatoon city playdowns[14] where they were eliminated. After graduating university, Schmirler moved to Regina to take a job at the North West Leisure Centre. She continued to curl, and was given the nickname "Schmirler the Curler" by a supervisor at the facility.[15] Schmirler joined the Saskatoon-based Carol Davis rink, playing third for the team. In their first season together, they made it to the 1984 provincial finals where they lost to Lori McGeary.[16]

In 1987, as a member of

national championship, where she and her team finished in fourth place with a 7–5 win–loss record.[18] The following season, the team lost in the A-B final of the 1988 provincials to Michelle Schneider (now Englot), eliminating them from a chance at a second straight trip to the Hearts.[19] In the 1989 playdowns, Team Fahlman lost in the southern Saskatchewan playdowns, failing to even make it to the 1989 Saskatchewan Scott Tournament of Hearts.[20]

Prior to the 1988–89 curling season, Schmirler and

Sherry Scheirich (now Middaugh) in the final.[28]

In 1997, Schmirler and her rink returned to the Tournament of Hearts, where they finished with a 9–2 win–loss record in the round robin. They advanced to the playoffs, and defeated Alison Goring of Ontario twice en route to winning her third Canadian championship.[29] They then went to the World Championships, where they again finished first in the round robin and advanced to the playoffs, defeating Helena Blach Lavrsen of Denmark in the semifinals[30] and Andrea Schöpp of Germany in the final to win a third world title.[31] After each of these three seasons, her rink was named "Team of the Year" by Sask Sport.[32][33]

Schmirler's in-off for three to win the 1997 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials against Shannon Kleibrink is one of her most famous shots, both in terms of degree of difficulty and for the fact that it sent her team to the 1998 Winter Olympics.

In the

Canadian Press. The team were also inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 1999.[5][8][32] After returning from the Olympics, Schmirler and her rink had to compete almost immediately in the Scott Tournament of Hearts as Team Canada.[39] Schmirler and her team made the playoffs, and won the 3 vs. 4 playoff game before dropping the semifinal to Anne Merklinger. After losing in the semis, Schmirler joined CBC as a colour commentator for the final match.[40]

Teams

Season Skip Third Second Lead Events
1981–82[41] Ellen Meschisnick Judy Walker Sandra Schmirler Jodi Bruce
1982–83[14] Sandra Schmirler (fourth) Denise Wilson (skip) Dianne Choquette Shannon Olafson
1983–84[42] Carol Davis Sandra Schmirler Heather MacMillan Laurie Secord 1984 Sask.[16]
1984–85[43] Carol Davis Sandra Schmirler Heather MacMillan Laurie Secord
1985–86[44] Kathy Fahlman Sandra Schmirler Jan Betker Sheila Schneider
1986–87 Kathy Fahlman Sandra Schmirler Jan Betker Sheila Schneider 1987 Sask., STOH, COCT
1987–88[19] Kathy Fahlman Sandra Schmirler Jan Betker Sheila Schneider 1988 Sask.
1988–89[20] Kathy Fahlman Sandra Peterson Jan Betker Joan Inglis
1989–90[45] Susan Lang Sandra Peterson Jan Betker Gertie Pick
1990–91 Sandra Peterson Jan Betker Joan Inglis Marcia Schiml 1991 Sask., STOH
1991–92[46] Sandra Peterson Jan Betker Joan Inglis Marcia Schiml 1992 Sask.
1992–93 Sandra Peterson Jan Betker Joan McCusker Marcia Schiml 1993 Sask., STOH
1993–94 Sandra Peterson Jan Betker Joan McCusker Marcia Gudereit 1994 STOH
1994–95 Sandra Peterson Jan Betker Joan McCusker Marcia Gudereit 1995 STOH
1995–96[27] Sandra Peterson Jan Betker Marcia Gudereit
Karen Daku		 Pamela Bryden 1996 Sask.[28]
1996–97 Sandra Schmirler Jan Betker Joan McCusker Marcia Gudereit 1997 Sask., STOH
1997–98 Sandra Schmirler Jan Betker Joan McCusker Marcia Gudereit 1997 COCT, 1998 STOH, OG
1998–99 Sandra Schmirler Jan Betker Joan McCusker Marcia Gudereit 1999 Sask.

Career statistics

Year Team Position Event Finish Record Pct.[a]
1987 Saskatchewan (Fahlman) Third STOH 4th 7–5 75
1987[47] Fahlman Third COCT 4th 4–4 N/A
1991 Saskatchewan (Peterson) Skip STOH 4th 8–6 71
1993 Saskatchewan (Peterson) Skip STOH 1st 10–2 79
1993 Canada (Peterson) Skip WCC 1st 9–2 N/A
1994 Canada (Peterson) Skip STOH 1st 11–1 80
1994 Canada (Peterson) Skip WCC 1st 10–1 N/A
1995 Canada (Peterson) Skip STOH 3rd 9–5 81
1997 Saskatchewan (Schmirler) Skip STOH 1st 11–2 80
1997 Canada (Schmirler) Skip WCC 1st 10–1 N/A
1997 Schmirler Skip COCT 1st 8–2 –
1998 Canada (Schmirler) Skip OG 1st 8–1 79
1998 Canada (Schmirler) Skip STOH 3rd 8–5 75
Scott Tournament of Hearts Totals 64–26 77
World Championships Totals 29–4 N/A

Personal life

Family and education

Schmirler was born to parents Shirley and Art Schmirler on June 11, 1963.

club foot, which required her to wear a cast for two months. She had two older sisters, Carol and Beverley.[49] She attended high school in Biggar, and moved to Saskatoon to attend university. She started out towards a degree in computer science, but transferred after her first year to work for a degree in physical education.[12] She convocated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1985.[50]

In 1993, teammate Marcia Gudereit introduced Schmirler to Shannon England. On June 22, 1996, they were married.[51] In 1997, Schmirler was pregnant with their first child. When this information was revealed to reporters at the Scott Tournament of Hearts, they jokingly dubbed her "Schmirler the Hurler". On September 15, 1997, their daughter Sara Marion was born.[52] In April 1999, Sandra's father Art Schmirler died from esophageal cancer.[21] On June 30, 1999, the couple's second daughter, Jenna Shirley, was born.[53]

Illness and death

After Jenna's birth, Schmirler experienced many health problems. She had suffered from back pain, which was thought to be pregnancy related, and following Jenna's birth, she began to suffer from stomach pains.[21] Tests showed that a cancerous node the size of a fist had developed behind her heart.[5][54] As her condition worsened, she underwent surgery on September 6, 1999. During surgery, a dead piece of the tumour broke off and released a blood clot into her lung. Her heart stopped beating, and only emergency heart massage kept her alive.[55] Almost a month after being diagnosed with cancer, doctors finally provided a specific diagnosis – metastatic adenocarcinoma, with an unknown primary site.[21] Because no one could pin down where the cancer came from, Sandra referred to it as "the cancer from Mars."[56] In addition to chemotherapy and radiation, Schmirler explored orthomolecular medicine through the Canadian Cancer Research Group. This form of alternative medicine involves large doses of vitamins and nutrients.[56]

In 2000, Schmirler worked as colour commentator for CBC during Canada's national junior curling championships.[8][57] During her illness, Schmirler had been largely removed from the public eye. While in Moncton for the championships, Schmirler held a press conference to update her situation. In speaking publicly about her ordeal for the first time, Schmirler spared few details about what she had gone through, while also expressing her hope for the future: "There were three goals I had coming out of this thing, and the first one was to look after my family. And the second one...because I curl so much, I've never taken a hot vacation, so I'm going to put my feet in the sand in a warm place. And the last one was to actually be here today, and I thank CBC, I thank Lawrence (Kimber), and Joan Mead."[58]

After returning from Moncton, Schmirler felt physically well, but suffered a setback when a CAT scan revealed spots around her lungs. The decision was made not to proceed with further chemotherapy, but she continued with the orthomolecular therapy.

Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care Unit[5] on the morning of March 2, 2000, at age 36.[21][62][5][9]

Her death caused reactions not just within Saskatchewan and the curling community, but also across the country. Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said in a statement:

All Canadians have been touched by the untimely death of Sandra Schmirler. Most of us came to know her through her exploits as a champion curler and as an exemplary sports ambassador for Canada. But what really set her apart was her bright, engaging personality and her incredible zest for life, qualities that were so clearly in evidence as she fought so valiantly against her illness. She will be sorely missed.[5][63]

In honour of Schmirler, flags at provincial office buildings in Saskatchewan were lowered to half-staff.[5]

TSN offered to broadcast her funeral live and to make the signal available to any other stations at no charge. Her husband, Shannon England, agreed to the broadcast on the condition that the family would not be shown during the service. CBC also broadcast the service, marking the first time a

Brier was just getting underway and games in the afternoon draw were delayed[65] to allow curlers and fans to watch the funeral, which was broadcast on screens at the rink.[66] Regina's Agridome and Schmirler's home Caledonian Curling Club also opened to show the funeral.[67] Nine hundred people attended the service at the Regina Funeral Home, thousands watched at satellite locations around the province, and hundreds of thousands watched on television.[68] The funeral was conducted by the Rev. Don Wells, and Sandra was eulogized by Brian McCusker, teammate Joan McCusker's husband.[69][70]

Awards and honours

In addition to the titles captured by her team on the ice, Schmirler has been recognized in several different ways off the ice as well. In 2000, Schmirler was awarded the

Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.[32][73] Schmirler and her team were inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on two separate occasions, once in 1997 for winning three World Curling Championships[74] and once in 2001 for winning the gold medal at the Olympics.[75] At the annual Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the top player in the playoff round is awarded the Sandra Schmirler Most Valuable Player Award.[76]

After her death, the city of Regina honoured Schmirler in several ways. The South East Leisure Centre where she used to work was renamed the "Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre," and the road leading up to the Callie Curling Club, where her team curled out of, was renamed "Sandra Schmirler Way."[32][77] Schmirler's hometown of Biggar also honoured her memory with the construction of "The Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park."[78]

“The Sandra Schmirler Foundation was created in May 2001 by a group of Sandra’s friends and teammates. Their vision was to create a living legacy in honour of this amazing woman who touched the hearts of so many Canadians from coast to coast to coast. While she lost her biggest battle, her legacy lives on. The lives of countless babies born premature and critically ill have been, and continue to be saved, with life-saving equipment the Foundation has funded in her name. Millions of dollars have been given to hospital NICUs in every province, the Yukon and Northwest Territories to fund life-saving equipment for babies born too soon, too small or too sick. This list continues to grow every year with the generous support of our many donors. Sandra reached out to her country in sickness and in health and made us understand what really matters in life. While we mourn her passing, we celebrate the lasting legacy she left behind.” Robin Wilson

On January 7, 2009, Sandra was named the winner of the 2009 World Curling Freytag Award (later incorporated into the

World Curling Federation, honours curlers for championship play, sportsmanship, character and extraordinary achievement. Her husband and daughters accepted the award on her behalf at the 2009 World Men's Curling Championship.[79]

Notes

  1. ^ Shot percentage. Round robin only, except for career total.

References

  1. ^ The New York Times Biographical Service. New York Times & Arno Press. 2000. p. 508.
  2. ^ "100 Alumni of Influence – Sandra Schmirler". University of Saskatchewan. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  3. ^ "Sandra Schmirler (Canadian athlete)". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  4. ^ Buckland, Jason (August 31, 2011). "Canadian athletes taken too soon – Sandra Schmirler". FOX Sports on MSN Canada. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i McElroy, Kathleen (March 4, 2000). "Sandra Schmirler, 36, Dies; Olympic Curling Champion". The New York Times. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  6. ^ "Top 10 Greatest Women Curlers".
  7. ^ "Canada's Greatest Curlers: Schmirler's foursome named greatest rink of all-time – TSN.ca". February 22, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "Sandra Schmirler". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c Harrison, Ian (May 17, 2012). "Canadian sporting icons – Sandra Schmirler". Fox Sports on MSN Canada. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
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  12. ^ a b Lefko, p.17
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  18. Canadian Curling Association. January 10, 2006. Archived from the original
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  20. ^ a b "Koch watches team come back". Regina Leader-Post. January 30, 1989. p. D1. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
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  28. ^ a b "Preparation pays off for Scheirich". Regina Leader-Post. January 29, 1996. p. B3. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
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  30. ^ "A good news, bad news day: Women go for gold, men battle for bronze at World Curling Championships". The Hamilton Spectator. April 19, 1997. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  31. ^ Lefko, p.57
  32. ^ a b c d Coneghan, Daria; Erin Legg; Holden Stoffel (2006). "Schmirler, Sandra (1963–2000)". Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
  33. ^ "Dancing with Regina's Stars: Meet the Stars: Jan Betker". Regina Ballroom Dancing Club. 2008. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
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  36. Kitchener Record
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  39. Kitchener Record
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  47. ^ [1] Archived March 15, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  48. ^ Sandra Schmirler at Team Canada
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  53. ^ Lefko, p. 93
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  64. ^ Lefko, p. 143
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  68. ^ Lefko, p. 153
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  73. ^ "Canada Sports Hall of Fame – Honoured Members: Profile Sandra Schmirler". Canada Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  74. ^ "1993, 1994, and 1997 Sandra Schmirler (Peterson) curling team". Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  75. ^ "1998 Sandra Schmirler curling team". Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  76. Canadian Curling Association. Archived from the original
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  78. ^ "Schmirler Olympic Gold Park opens in Sask". CBC Sports. August 6, 2000. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  79. World Curling Federation
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Bibliography

External links
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