SASKATOON — Former Wilkie resident, now living in Saskatoon, Kevin Glessing, has been named head umpire by CURLSASK.
Glessing is no stranger to the curling rink or curling officiating. He has served as an official at provincial and national events for a number of years, as well as working as an official at the World Men’s Championship in the Calgary bubble.
Glessing is a Level 4 umpire designate, received in the winter of 2021-22. He will be tasked with co-ordinating umpires and liaisons at CURLSASK events. CURLSASK, in their release, stated, “We are grateful to have such a strong leader rejuvenate the umpire program.”
In the release, Glessing said the best/biggest/coolest events he was an umpire at were the World Men’s Curling Championship in the Calgary bubble and the 2021 Olympic Trials held in Saskatoon.
“I will still be officiating, not just working in the office,” Glessing says. “I will be available to answer phones and emails if other umpires are needing assistance. I am very humbled they have put their confidence in me.”
When SASKTODAY spoke with Glessing he was currently in Regina for meetings, checking things out with this new appointment, helping with revamping the umpire’s manual and setting up schedules for the upcoming season.
Like many other sports, curling is experiencing official shortages, especially in Level 2 and 3 as well as there is a need to get younger people involved. Glessing said he hopes to work on that as part of the new position.
“I think it will be good and I will try to make a few changes and get organized,” says Glessing who also reminds new umpires to know their rules, to not panic when they have problems as they always work themselves out and most of all, to have fun and love the game.
In a number of interviews in the past Glessing maintains serving as an umpire gives him the best seat in the house for some of the best curling competitions.
Curling Canada acknowledges Wilkie's Glessing as official - Â鶹´«Ã½AV.ca
Curling officiating in the bubble experienced by Wilkie man - Â鶹´«Ã½AV.ca
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