VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Ken Wallis, 2021 Volunteer of the Year
[EAGAN, MN, September 26, 2023] — Our sport is only as strong as the community that supports it, and volunteers are the backbone of curling throughout the United States.
Each year, USA Curling accepts nominations and recognizes a Volunteer of the Year. In 2022, due to the effects of the pandemic on the work of the Recognition Committee, the award was not presented. As a result, this year we are honoring both the 2021 and the 2022 Volunteers of the Year at the Members’ Assembly in Bloomington, MN, on October 14th.
Ken Wallis of the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club (SFBACC) is recognized as the 2021 Volunteer of the Year, and Leigh Palmer of the Kansas City Curling Club (KCC) is recognized at the 2022 Volunteer of the Year.
For Wallis, the award recognizes tenacity in the face of myriad challenges. On their way to a curling-specific facility, one that opened in 2022, the members of SFBACC had no shortage of obstacles, and Wallis stepped in as President and provided a steady hand. The COVID pandemic created obvious issues, but the club also faced issues related to the work of the original contractor. It would have been easy for the club to decide it was all too much to overcome. According to club members, “He stepped into an intense situation and we would not be where we are without him.”
Wallis worked directly with the contractor, subcontractors, and building owner, held daily meetings with all stakeholders, and was on site multiple days each week. Additionally, he played a key role in securing important funds. Today, Ken is a volunteer with the ice crew, instructs at corporate events and Learn-to-Curls, and shares his love of curling with everyone.
Leigh Palmer, 2022 Volunteer of the Year, is recognized for his many years of hard work that led to the Kansas City Curling Club, after 25 years spent curling in hockey rinks in both Kansas and Missouri, opening its own dedicated ice facility in 2022. Palmer took over as the Building Committee Chair several years ago, and was integral in finding real estate, securing dollars, and building out the space. He was a constant presence at the club during every stage of the construction process, meeting with architects, contractors, and the building owner nearly every day
Today, Palmer continues to volunteer his time making ice, tending bar, and completing miscellaneous projects. Thanks to his efforts, the Kansas City Curling Club went from having less than 100 active curlers to more than 200 members just one month after opening the new facility. He has been critical to the growth of the club, visiting with curlers on most league nights and always making newcomers feel welcome.
We thank both Ken and Leigh all they have done to make their clubs successful and grow the sport, and we look forward to officially honoring them on October 14th. You can learn more about the USA Curling Volunteer-of-Year Awards here.
2022 Volunteer of the Year: Leigh Palmer
2021 Volunteer of the Year: Ken Wallis
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.
