Registered: Sep 2011
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Originally posted by curlky
Alan you quoted me, but your answer really didn't do anything to prove me wrong. He has an outstanding domestic history. He does not have any history of success of being in charge of a team on the world stage. And he really hasn't gotten any closer to the world talent level.

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Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:

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Originally posted by curlky
Alan you quoted me, but your answer really didn't do anything to prove me wrong. He has an outstanding domestic history. He does not have any history of success of being in charge of a team on the world stage. And he really hasn't gotten any closer to the world talent level.

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
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Hold on now!

Face Shuster does NOT have an embarrassing record at World events.

His first time skipping at Worlds, he made the tiebreaker game. Only a couple of weird twists that week kept him from the medal stand.

The Olympic Qualifier in Germany last year saved our Olympic bacon. That event (first of its kind) was pressure heretofore unseen in curling. A couple of early losses but his back to the wall and then he was brilliant.

Worlds and Olympics on the front end...World University games against an extremely good field...WCT stops...all he has met with success.

What dims the enthusiasm are two consecutive horrid (yes, horrid...I try to stay positive but I also try to be accurate) Olympic appearances. The first one in BC was some very tight losses early followed by coaching and team troubles that precluded a rebound like he did in Germany. The Sochi was a mountain that no man could climb. The grind to just get there through the pressure cooker of the Qualifier was just too much in the face of that field.

I, for one, choose to remember the Qualifier for which we owe John so very much. I'm going to stay positive. I'm going to predict that Team USA will do well at Worlds this year. Winning this afternoon would be a good start.

Ben Tucker

PS Good point by whomever noted that Shuster's record of building successful teams surpasses anything else we've seen from the HPP. Building a multiteam program, however, is a different cat.

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I will say, it is very strange feeling knowing this game is an exhibition. Kind of a bummer if you ask me. Same with the ladies game. Good game, good comeback by Patti. But still no juice as it were. I understand why it has to be this way, I guess. But to be honest it is pretty lame what the "Championship Final" has turned into these past few years. Oh well.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Deez
I will say, it is very strange feeling knowing this game is an exhibition. Kind of a bummer if you ask me. Same with the ladies game. Good game, good comeback by Patti. But still no juice as it were. I understand why it has to be this way, I guess. But to be honest it is pretty lame what the "Championship Final" has turned into these past few years. Oh well.

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Registered: Mar 2014
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quote:

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Originally posted by Deez
I will say, it is very strange feeling knowing this game is an exhibition. Kind of a bummer if you ask me. Same with the ladies game. Good game, good comeback by Patti. But still no juice as it were. I understand why it has to be this way, I guess. But to be honest it is pretty lame what the "Championship Final" has turned into these past few years. Oh well.

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Originally posted by Flat Hat


I've heard this twice now (once on the women's nationals thread) and still don't understand how a game for national champion is an 'exhibition'. Isn't being a National Champion a goal for anyone else?

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Originally posted by RockDoc


An unfortunate outcome of our new rigged qualification system is that it has tarnished the drama, brand, and marketability of our national championship. In its current state, where the result is often meaningless except to the pride and professionalism of the players,a broadcast entity may be reluctant to pick it up. Too bad because it could be a terrific marketing, fundraising, and recruitment tool for US curling.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Flat Hat


I've heard this twice now (once on the women's nationals thread) and still don't understand how a game for national champion is an 'exhibition'. Isn't being a National Champion a goal for anyone else?

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Registered: Oct 2006
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Originally posted by AlanMacNeill
I really, really, really hope that Shuster can channel all of the righteous anger he's been working with all season into a strong performance at Worlds.

I think he will. That may be my heart talking over my head, but I want the man to have a medal, he's earned it.

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Registered: Oct 2006
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quote:

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Originally posted by Flat Hat


How is it rigged? How many times has the national champion not gone to worlds to make it 'often meaningless'?

I see that you elite curlers have become jaded and no longer believe in the spirit of curling.

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Originally posted by misty1


not when it doesnt mean anything no. the mens has meaning because the guiy that goes to worlds could win but its already decided so at the same time this really doesnt have meaning. craig brown could win and be national champion but what does that even get him. a sense of pride? im sure he'd like the pride and the trip to worlds

the womens was a joke. the one going to worlds didnt even make the damn final and went 0-2 against the eventual winner. there's no possible way you could argue that the best team is going to worlds on the womens side

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quote:

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Originally posted by melz10


rigged= where you live and how much $$ you have determines how many comps and points you can earn to have an advantage at Nationals versus best team wins moves to next competition. Real spirit of curling is best team wins at current competition moves on.

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Registered: Apr 2014
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quote:

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Originally posted by melz10


righteous anger? Oh that is the problem we have seen with Shuster since 2010 Olympics embarrassment. Where his non sportsmanship conduct made USA look like fools. And the usca continues to support this bad behavior by not sanctioning him.

He lost the right to compete after that mess and he truly has zero right to the ice if he losses the match today. USA curling has become a disgrace a d joke. It makes figure skating look normal and decent.

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: London, Ontario
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quote:

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Originally posted by RockDoc


An unfortunate outcome of our new rigged qualification system is that it has tarnished the drama, brand, and marketability of our national championship. In its current state, where the result is often meaningless except to the pride and professionalism of the players,a broadcast entity may be reluctant to pick it up. Too bad because it could be a terrific marketing, fundraising, and recruitment tool for US curling.

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Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:

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Originally posted by Gerry


Marketing angle seems to be working just fine. Building was full in Philadelphia for the Men's and Women's finals (one of which was pre-determined) and it's full again for the afternoon Men's final.

Curling in America is drawing great ratings as a recorded event with the results available on the internet.

I would suggest the marketing angle isn't the right argument.

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Registered: Feb 2013
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quote:

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Originally posted by Gerry


Marketing angle seems to be working just fine. Building was full in Philadelphia for the Men's and Women's finals (one of which was pre-determined) and it's full again for the afternoon Men's final.

Curling in America is drawing great ratings as a recorded event with the results available on the internet.

I would suggest the marketing angle isn't the right argument.

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Registered: Sep 2011
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I'd argue that they didn't even sell well in Kalamazoo....the only draw that was even 1/3 full (judging from the number of empty seats I saw on the webcast) was the finals.

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Does anybody have a handle on the web numbers...and how many are from outside the US? The "outside" numbers shouldn't be included if you want to judge US interest.

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nabobs of negativity aside, Team Shuster did a great job this week. Good luck at Worlds!

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Reading this thread, I became sad. The same people, and maybe a few more have continued to express their disagreement with the new process. I have my own opinion but seeing I will never curl at this level, I will keep that opinion to myself.

What I hate about this discussion is the number of people who by their words are cheapening the meaning of the National Championship for the athletes. I personally know some of these people and have seen the energy, time, money and personal sacrifices they have made to become the National Champs. How do they feel about separating the National Championship winner from the USA rep to the Worlds? I will tell you this...They would not, did not stop trying to win the National title once they did not get enough points. THEY continued their pursuit of the Title.

All of this negativity is just CHEAPENING their pursuit. SHAME on all of you!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Dorycurls
Reading this thread, I became sad. The same people, and maybe a few more have continued to express their disagreement with the new process. I have my own opinion but seeing I will never curl at this level, I will keep that opinion to myself.

What I hate about this discussion is the number of people who by their words are cheapening the meaning of the National Championship for the athletes. I personally know some of these people and have seen the energy, time, money and personal sacrifices they have made to become the National Champs. How do they feel about separating the National Championship winner from the USA rep to the Worlds? I will tell you this...They would not, did not stop trying to win the National title once they did not get enough points. THEY continued their pursuit of the Title.

All of this negativity is just CHEAPENING their pursuit. SHAME on all of you!

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Registered: Apr 2014
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Your goal should be to be the world champ. If not stay at the club.

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Registered: Dec 2005
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Flat Hat alludes to William Safire/Spiro Agnew "nattering nabobs of negativity". Love it. Disagreed with almost everything Safire ever wrote; but the boy could sure write.

I gotta admit that I felt like Deez. Just not the same level of tension nor excitement for me. I think the same could be said for the teams. Missing was that big emotional "We're Going To Disneyland!" moment. Sure, they were very happy to win...much more so than most bonspiels...but nobody imitated Jimmy Valvano.

Back to the topic at hand and the most important thing in the entire world:

Shuster over Brown in the Finals. I called it. I win. Again. Buy me drinks at your earliest convenience.

Ben Tucker

PS As a side note, I know well the sacrifices made to compete at a high level. Think of Craig Brown and his very young family. How much does he miss with that toddler and newborn? Consider the expenses for unfunded teams this one week alone. I, for one, will not belittle their pursuits. It is possible, however, to dislike this new game without disliking the players. Now buy me drinks.

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quote:

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Originally posted by curlky
Alan you quoted me, but your answer really didn't do anything to prove me wrong. He has an outstanding domestic history. He does not have any history of success of being in charge of a team on the world stage. And he really hasn't gotten any closer to the world talent level.

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