UNews - Lethbridge Curling Club

Upholding the law in the land down under

trevor.kenney — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:02:16 +0000

With a finger-pointing, I've-got-you-now grin and an iconic light grey suit, criminal defense attorney, Ben Matlock, entertained television audiences for almost a decade with his ingenious perception and gritty determination to fight for truth. For one young boy growing up in the small town of Coronation, Alta., however, Matlock was more than mere entertainment; he was pure inspiration.

"It was the courtroom drama that got me. I used to watch Matlock and think, if he can do it, I can do it. When I watched him I knew I was born to be in the courtroom," explains solicitor, Jay Merchant (BA '05), who was recently admitted as a member of the Australian legal profession by the Supreme Court in Queensland.

Along with his interest in law, Merchant developed a love for politics and a passion for curling that have also strongly influenced his life's journey.

"The first time I heard Preston Manning speak I was fascinated by his personal approach to politics. I became a member of the Reform Party at age 15," says Merchant.

Jay Merchant, right, along with Barrister Debra Wardle, who moved his admission into the Supreme Court in Queensland.

Merchant's love of curling was a family affair. His father played in national oilman's competitions and his mom and older brother curled as well. Merchant spent the majority of his childhood winters at the rink, either watching the game or developing his skills.

"My older brother curls on a recreational level when he has time. He boasts he can kick my butt, but I am still waiting for him to put his money where his mouth his," jokes Merchant, who is a player-coach with the Australian National Curling Team.

With his three-fold passion, Merchant says that the move to Lethbridge to attend the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in 2000 was a perfect choice.

"Coming from a small town, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was exactly what I needed, and I wouldn't change anything, but it was a steep learning curve for me. I was never a good writer but I had excellent professors, two in particular, Dr. Alan Siaroff and Dr. Geoffrey Hale. They had such a strict writing guide and they focused on using logical arguments and logical structure. I do a lot of writing now and without their dedication I would not have achieved what I have. It was a painful process but I am forever grateful to them," says Merchant. "I attended Bond ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Australia for my post-graduate studies and the common theme between both institutions is that you are not just a number. I know my professors and consider them to be my mentors. There is something really special about that."

While completing his undergrad, Merchant kept busy with local politics and curling. He was a member of Rick Casson's steering committee and curled out of the Lethbridge Curling Club.

"I played juniors for Alberta and made it to provincials a number of times. I played for the U of L in 2003. We made it to the Canadian ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Championships; I think we were in the top five. I also have a few banners up at the Lethbridge Curling Club," recalls Merchant.

Merchant eyes an Olympic berth for Australia down the line.

Merchant completed his bachelor's degree in political science in 2005. He spent one year working in a municipal internship program in Red Deer before moving to Australia to pursue a master's of business law at Bond ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, which he completed in 2007. That same year the Australian Winter Olympic Committee asked him to migrate to Australia on a distinguished talent visa, but because curling is self-funded in Australia, Merchant had to return to Canada to earn enough money before he could take advantage of the AWOC proposal. He returned to Australia in 2010 to coach and play with the Australian National Team and pursue his law degree at Bond, which he completed in 2012.

"I did my Postgraduate Diploma of Legal Practice, with a placement in criminal law. I loved it. I plan to go into prosecution and later become a barrister. As for curling, Lyn Gill, my partner in mixed doubles and I are heading to Fredericton, N.B. in April to compete at the world championships. I am really looking forward to that!" says Merchant. "My long-term focus is on continuing to develop the sport in Australia and to qualify teams for the 2018 Olympics."

For anyone who happens to be in Fredericton in April and wants to wish Merchant good luck, you'll find him easily enough if you listen for his ringtone – it's the theme from Matlock.

This story first appeared in the November 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Sweeping up to the challenge

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:53:05 +0000

With no wins, two losses and a very difficult match still to come at the 1982 Southern Alberta Curling Playdowns, Don Chandler (BASc '73) was taken aback when people shook his hand, thanked him for coming and said goodbye.

"I remember thinking, wait a minute, the game isn't over until it's over," says Chandler. "We took that as a challenge and ended up winning our next four games before losing in the final."

Years before this seemingly impossible come back, Chandler's natural determination would lead him to become one of the pioneering students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"I began my degree in geography in 1969. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, only two years old at the time, was very small, only about 800 students, so you got to know your professors very well. It challenged me to do my best," Chandler remembers.

When he took on the presidency of the campus curling club during his second year, Chandler uncovered a new passion: community involvement.

"While I was president, I found out that I had the ability to organize groups and events and make them successful. I have done a lot of that since then."

After receiving his chartered accountant designation in Edmonton in 1977, Chandler, currently a partner at Meyers Norris Penny LLP, returned with his wife Nadine to Lethbridge, where he would begin both his accounting career and his many years of involvement with the Lethbridge Curling Club, Little League, McMan Youth Services and numerous other organizations.

"I believe that, as a professional, when you live in a community and the community is good to you, you have an obligation to give back," Chandler says.

Don Chandler (BASc '73) is President of the U of L's Alumni Association.

Described by his peers as a man of integrity, Chandler practises what he preaches. He has never forgotten that a large part of his community includes the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. With his second term on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senate at an end, Chandler joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association in 2008 and was elected president in June 2009.

"The challenge will be to continue the association's growth of the past few years. Our objective is to expand the committee structure to get alumni involved in actually running the activities that were previously run by the council," Chandler explains. "By expanding, we hope to make the organization more visible and provide opportunities for alumni to network, connect with mentors, learn more about the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and ultimately help maintain the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's role as a vital part of our community."

Rotaract curling bonspiel on Saturday

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0000

As part of World Rotaract Week, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Rotaract Club will be holding its first curling bonspiel in support of the Lethbridge & Interfaith Food Banks as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Student Food Bank.

Rotaract invites the community to join them on Saturday, Mar. 13 at the Lethbridge Curling Club from 3 to 5 p.m. for a family-friendly afternoon of curling and fellowship.

"This isn't going to be a competitive event," says Rotaract vice-president administration, Samantha Gilbert. "It's just a chance for Rotaract, Rotary and community members to spend a fun afternoon together in support of local food banks."

Although this is Rotaract's first bonspiel this is not their first World Rotaract Week event. Every year Rotaract clubs from around the world commemorate the charter of the first Rotaract Club in North Carolina in 1968. Past World Rotaract Week projects have included hosting a pancake breakfast at the YWCA and picking up garbage around the U of L campus.

"We're excited to be supporting the local food banks this year, including the Student Food Bank at the U of L," says Gilbert. "Local Rotary clubs are also supporting them this month as part of Food Bank Month and we wanted to do our part."

Community members of all ages are encouraged to register their team of four by contacting rotaract@uleth.ca by Friday, Mar. 12 to register. Cost is $10/person to register, along with a non-perishable food item donation. Olympic theme costumes are encouraged, with prizes for the best costumes.

The U of L Rotaract Club is a not-for-profit service club that is part of the Rotary International.

With over 7,000 Rotaract clubs in 163 countries worldwide, the U of L Rotaract Club fundraises, volunteers and most importantly raises awareness for both local and international need.

For more information, contact Samantha Gilbert (403-715-4970).

Sweeping up to the challenge

trevor.kenney — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:29:00 +0000

"I remember thinking, wait a minute, the game isn't over until it's over," says Chandler. "We took that as a challenge and ended up winning our next four games before losing in the final."

Years before this seemingly impossible come back, Chandler's natural determination would lead him to become one of the pioneering students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"I began my degree in geography in 1969. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, only two years old at the time, was very small, only about 800 students, so you got to know your professors very well. It challenged me to do my best," Chandler remembers.

When he took on the presidency of the campus curling club during his second year, Chandler uncovered a new passion: community involvement.

"While I was president, I found out that I had the ability to organize groups and events and make them successful. I have done a lot of that since then."

"I believe that, as a professional, when you live in a community and the community is good to you, you have an obligation to give back," Chandler says.

Chandler brings history, experience to Alumni post

trevor.kenney — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:45:40 +0000

It was 1969, a year of firsts; Bryan Adams got his 'first real six-string', Neil Armstrong took humanity's first steps on the moon and Don Chandler (BASc '73), ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association (ULAA) president and partner at Meyers Norris Penny LLP, became the first person in his family to attend university.

"None of my family had ever gone to university. Most of them didn't even finish high school so going to university was not an expectation, but I was quite academically inclined and it just seemed natural to proceed on to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," Chandler remembers.

Attending the two-year-old institution, Chandler's campus experience was quite different from that of today's students.

"When I started, U-hall did not exist and the campus was at the college site. We went from trailer to trailer for classes. I remember it was very small, only about 800 students and there were not a lot of places to do anything. We used the college library and our basketball games were at the Civic Centre downtown."

While some may have argued such a small institution could not possibly offer a good education, Chandler disagrees. Majoring in geography, he knew all his professors by name.

"They knew us so well that if we didn't perform to their expectations we did not get a good mark. I had senior courses with only four students, so you could not pull the wool over the professors' eyes," laughs Chandler. "It challenged me to work hard and do better."

An avid curler, Chandler got involved with the campus curling club and uncovered a passion for community involvement that would become a way of life.

"I was introduced to the sport in Grade 10 and began curling competitively right away. I became president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ curling club during my second year and found out that I had abilities to organize groups and events, follow through with them and make them successful," Chandler explains. "I have done a lot of that since then."

Indeed, he has. Chandler received his chartered accountant designation in Edmonton in 1977. He and his wife Nadine then returned to Lethbridge where he would begin his accounting career, and his reputation as a driving force in the community.

"When I moved back, I immediately got involved with the Lethbridge Curling Club executive. I have been the treasurer for many years and was the president in 1985-86. I was involved in organizing the high school curling league in 2000 and still coach at the high school level. I also coached my children in curling and Little League," Chandler says. "Coaching is something I always enjoyed and it fit nicely into my other community activities."

Chandler's community service, which involves many organizations, also includes the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. After two terms on ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senate, Chandler got involved with the ULAA (��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association) in 2008 and was elected president of the organization in June 2009.

"There has been a lot of growth in the ULAA in the last few years, and we have seen a lot of support from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. I would like to see that continue," Chandler says. "I would encourage alumni to volunteer at activities or participate in events such as the John Gill Memorial Golf tournament. Getting involved will not only increase the association's visibility, it will help maintain the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's role as a vital part of our community."

GET THE FACTS

• Commercial Men's Slowpitch League treasurer for 10 years

• Coached the Alberta Junior Girls' Curling Championship Team (2006)

• Treasurer on the executive for McMan Youth Family and Community Services Association (ends this month) as well as board chair from 2003 to 2005

• Also involved with the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and United Way

• Canadian Curling Association's Volunteer of the Year for Alberta (2001)

• Inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame (2009)

• ULAA Honour Society member (2005)

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Community Members Receive Keys to the City

trevor.kenney — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:46:39 +0000

Several individuals and community organizations with 'key' connections to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will receive the City of Lethbridge's highest honour on Friday, July 10 – the keys to the city.

"This recognition is well deserved for all these recipients who, from many different walks of life, serve their community in a variety of ways," U of L President Bill Cade said. "These awards also show the remarkable connections – and affect – the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has on the community. Our congratulations go out to the entire group, in particular our employees, alumni and friends who are honoured."

Recipients include Dr. Leroy Littlebear (BASc 1972, DASc 2004), a respected Native American Studies professor and researcher, U of L Alumnus, Honorary degree recipient and Distinguished Alumnus of the year (2003); Darcy Novakowski, an award-winning author and the Faculty of Education's communications coordinator; and Brigadier-General (Ret) Raymond Romses (BASc 1975), a distinguished Alumnus of the Year (2005) who has returned to Lethbridge following a varied career in the Canadian military which included directing several UN-sponsored missions, the command of CFB Calgary and Land Forces Atlantic area, among others. A complete list of recipients is outlined below.

The "Key to the City" is a gift made by a city to a visiting dignitary or deserving resident. The key represents the city's welcome of the visitor by, symbolically, placing the city at the visitor's disposal.

The practice of giving a key may be traced back to medieval times, when admission into a city was hampered walls and locked gates. Possession of the key symbolized free entry. In Lethbridge, the act of giving a key to the city is symbolic only, since the city has no gates to unlock.

Keys 1 to 4
Shirley McPherson, Chris Wilson, Shirley Kohuch and Diane Foster, playing out of the Lethbridge Curling Club, won the 2008 World Senior Ladies Championships in Vierumäki, Finland.

Key 5 - Darcy Tamayose Novakowski
Darcy received a literary award from the Canada Council for the Arts for her first novel, Odori. This award recognizes literary excellence by Canadian authors writing on Japan, Japanese themes or themes that promote mutual understanding between Canada and Japan. Darcy also wrote and illustrated an art exhibit, Riding Back and the Sacred Circle, which travelled throughout the Alberta School system encouraging the understanding of the Blackfoot culture. Her latest work Katie Be Quiet is targeted at youth.

Key 6 - Del Allen
Del is a well-known businessman and philanthropist. He was chosen Lethbridge Citizen of the Year for 2008 in appreciation for his work with groups as diverse as the Boys and Girls Club, the Third Academy, the Lethbridge Food Bank, the Royal Canadian Legion, Ducks Unlimited, the Lethbridge College and the City's Bright Lights Committee. Del's most recent achievement is convincing CP Rail to allow the lighting of the historical High Level Bridge to celebrate it's Centennial and then being pivotal to getting such a large task ready to go this coming fall.

Key 7 - Vic Stasiuk
Vic was recently inducted into the Alberta Sport Hall of Fame in honour of his commitment to the game of hockey. He enjoyed an NHL career with important roles in the line-ups of the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins. Vic played 745 NHL games, scoring 183 goals and 437 points. Thanks to his time with the Red Wings, he sports a very impressive Stanley Cup ring. After his playing career ended, Vic enjoyed a long coaching career in both the NHL (including a stint with the Vancouver Canucks) and the minor leagues.

Key 8 – Lethbridge Iron Works
John and Bart Davies are accepting a key on behalf of Lethbridge Iron Works.
The company was recently included in a book entitled "Little Empires" (written by ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge professors M. Gordon Hunter and Dan Kazakoff) which highlighted the value of Lethbridge's long-standing inter-generational corporate citizens to the community. Lethbridge Iron Works is a fourth generation family business, more than a century old. Like the family which operates the foundry, several generations of Lethbridge families have earned their living through the foundry in that length of time. The foundry is modern, automated, safety-oriented, high-production and known for quality.

Key 9 – Leroy Littlebear
Dr. Leroy Littlebear (BASc 1972, DASc 2004) was recently awarded the first-ever "Lifetime Achievement Award" presented by the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge. That award recognized a lifetime of achievement in education and politics, in giving back to the community and advocating for youth and families. Leroy was instrumental in developing the Native American Studies department at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, which he chaired for 21 years. He is also the founding Director of Harvard ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Native American program, a U of L Distinguished Alumnus of the Year (2003) and an Honorary Degree recipient (2004). Leroy contributed to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in the area of criminal justice, and for the Assembly of First Nations on constitutional issues. He is considered one of North America's leaders in Indian philosophy.

Key 10 – Raymond Romses
Retired Brigadier-General Romses (BASc 1975) was awarded the 2005 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award for exceptional professional achievements and service to Canadians. He served on a variety of operational tours and appointments, including two tours with the UN Force in Cyprus, a tour with NATO Stabilization Forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and a tour with the UN Force in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Romses's service in Canada included command of the First Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Joint Task Force Two – Canada's counter-terrorism unit; Canadian Forces Base Calgary; and the Land Force Atlantic Area. His leadership abilities have resulted in his progression to the most senior ranks of the Canadian Forces, but his illustrious military career all began with the Army Cadets in Lethbridge.

Sports Hall welcomes Pronghorns

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:21:13 +0000

It was a Blue and Gold night recently at the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fames' annual induction ceremony and banquet.

A pair of former Pronghorn basketball players were inducted into the hall as athletes, while another alumnus earned induction for his contributions to the sport of curling.

Inducted into the hall were Dori (Rodzinyak) Johnson (BA '87), Danny Balderson (BA/BEd '01) and Don Chandler (BASC '73).

Johnson was a star point guard with the Pronghorns women's basketball team from 1982 through 1987. In five Canada West seasons she garnered four all-star nods and was named team most valuable player from 1982 through 1985.

Johnson would return to the U of L in 1991-92 and take over the head-coaching role of the Pronghorns. A year later, she would guide the Horns to their first Canada West title and a fourth place finish at the national championship tournament.

Balderson is the most decorated player in the history of the men's basketball program. Over a five-year career that began in 1993-94, Balderson won a national rookie of the year honour, was a two-time Canada West player of the year, two-time, first-team All-Canadian and CIS player of the year. Balderson would conclude his career as the U of L's all-time leading scorer with 2,000 points and have his No. 31 jersey retired.

Chandler was elected into the builders' category for his long association with curling in southern Alberta. Over a 30-year span, Chandler has contributed to the growth and development of the Lethbridge Curling Club, serving in various capacities.

Human curling kicks off fundraiser

trevor.kenney — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:23:56 +0000

Canadians will seemingly curl anywhere and at any time. Combine this love of curling with a charity opportunity and instead of flinging granite down a sheet of ice, you have a group of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Management students throwing themselves across a plaza.

A human curling demonstration will kick off the Curling for the Cross event, today, 11 a.m. to noon in the South Plaza of the U of L, just outside the Students' Union Building. The demonstration begins the lead-up to the Apr. 2 Curling for the Cross fundraiser bonspiel at the Lethbridge Curling Club. It is in support of the local chapter of the Red Cross.

Curling for the Cross is the final project of the 2009 Integrated Management Experience class, a 28-person group tasked with taking an idea from concept to execution on behalf of a real client. Curling for the Cross is a non-competitive curling bonspiel with numerous prizes to be won, one of which is a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. Participation is priced at $120 per team and no curling experience is required to enter.

Dan Kazakoff, IME Professor & Director said the Faculty of Management's
Integrated Management Experience (IME) community project allows individuals to not only have a fun night of curling, but to also contribute to a strong local community organization.

"The local chapter of the Red Cross will benefit not only through the funds raised by the event, but also by the increased awareness of why the Red Cross is such an integral part of the fabric of Lethbridge," says Kazakoff. "This event is not only a "win" for the Red Cross, but also for the students of IME and the Lethbridge community as a whole."

UNews - Lethbridge Curling Club

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