[EAGAN, MN, November 7th, 2023] — USA Boxing and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) are expanding their Coaching You Up! campaign to include USA Curling, USA Fencing, USA Judo and USA Karate. This community-driven campaign will promote healthy living, access to vaccines and vaccine education for underserved communities and older adults including those with aging and disabled populations, as well as the general population.

USA Curling will join these four National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to leverage resources and host community vaccination clinics during local, regional and nationally sanctioned events. This expansion was made possible with a sub-grant awarded by USAging’s Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative and funded through the U.S. Administration for Community Living. The implementation of this program will continue to be supported by McUlsky Health Force (MHF), a strategic advocacy firm which focuses on advocacy relations, health care policy and strategic communications.

“We are proud to continue to support the work of the NGBs and ASCP member pharmacists who are coordinating a truly novel effort to ensure their 2023/2024 vaccination outreach activities are effective and complementary across a wide range of communities throughout the entire country,” said Janet McUlsky, President of MHF.

“We are very fortunate to continue our work with ASCP’s team and expand this program,” added Mike McAtee, Executive Director, CEO of USA Boxing. “The alignment with Curling, Fencing, Judo and Karate is unprecedented.”

“Senior care pharmacies and pharmacists will provide education and administer vaccines, compliant with state regulations, prioritizing all eligible older adults and people with disabilities,” said Chad Worz, CEO of ASCP. “Our pharmacies and pharmacists have enjoyed participating at USA Boxing Sanctioned Events and are proud to join forces with another great group of NGBs.” 

dIn addition, this campaign offers volunteer pharmacy students an opportunity to interact with people of different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to conduct outreach and education for all the attending fans, friends and families. The participating organizations are dedicated to serving all populations, especially those from historically underserved neighborhoods, which include communities of color, LGBTQ+, and Native American; have low incomes or limited English proficiency, and those who live in hard-to-reach rural areas.

“We’re proud to add Curling to the efforts of Boxing, Fencing, Judo and Karate,” added Dean Gemmell, CEO of USA Curling.  “Curlers are certainly aware that our traditional season coincides with Flu season, so these clinics can really make a difference for our members, our Member Clubs, and the communities they serve.”

Gemmell also noted that, “We will be bringing this campaign to many of our national championship events, but Member Clubs can also be rewarded for making Coaching You Up! part of their bonspiels and community events. USA Curling will coordinate the effort with MHF, and I encourage club leaders to reach out to us for more information.”

The first two clinics are scheduled for this upcoming weekend—vaccines will be offered during the first annual Pride Spiel at the Frogtown Curling Club and at the Arena Club Nationals slated for Curl Mesabi in Eveleth, MN.

To learn more about how your club can make Coaching You Up! a part of one of your events, contact dean.gemmell@usacurling.org. For more information about the program, visit www.coachingyouup.org or follow them on social media. 

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, Jet Ice, 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.