CRAIG PERRY JOINS USA CURLING AS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Photo by: Bob Weder
[EAGAN, MN, June 6th, 2023] — USA Curling is pleased to announce that Dr. Craig Perry has joined the organization as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Perry brings a wealth of athletic administration experience to the organization. Most recently, he served as a vice president of the United States Council for Athletes’ Health (USCAH). Previously, Perry was the Associate Director of the Minnesota State High School League from 2005 through 2020, overseeing eligibility and compliance for 500 member schools, directing the state hockey, wrestling, and tennis tournaments, and acting as the liaison to the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. He also worked as the Director of Athletics for the Grand Forks Public Schools, taught high school English, and coached hockey.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Craig to our staff,” said Dean Gemmell, CEO of USA Curling. “His extensive experience in athletics administration, operations, education, compliance, and athlete health make him a great fit for USA Curling. I’m confident he will make us a more efficient, customer-focused organization, and help us produce high quality offerings for our membership.”
During the recent championship season, Perry worked with USA Curling on events and special projects. He also served as an advisor to the USA Curling Athlete Health & Safety Working Group that was formed in late 2022. That committee produced a new Response & Resolution policy that has been vetted and approved by SafeSport.
A nationally recognized educator, speaker, and leader, Perry has also served in a number of roles with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA): a national Board of Directors member, a member of the NIAAA Publications Committee, and he is currently in his 25th year with the NIAAA Leadership Training Institute as a national faculty member creating, contributing, instructing, and developing transformational leadership driven curriculum.
“Making sports a rewarding experience for participants, coaches, and supporters has been the focus of my career,” Perry added. “I’m excited to get to work on behalf of USA Curling, and contribute to a sport that is positioned for success.”
An athlete himself, Perry was a goaltender at the University of North Dakota, and earned three degrees—Bachelor of Arts (English), Master of Science (Education), EdD (Educational Leadership)—from that institution. Craig and his wife, Holly, have three adult children—Chase, Chloe, and Charley—and reside in the Twin Cities area.
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling in the United States. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Toyota, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Rock Solid Productions, IHG, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of the World Curling Federation and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
