[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, August 8, 2024]— During the 2024 Members’ Assembly, USA Curling honored Brian Bessert of the LaCrosse Curling Club (LCC) as the recipient of the 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award. This prestigious award recognizes Brian's exceptional dedication, leadership, and countless hours of service to his Member Club and the sport of curling.

Brian was elected President of the arena-based La Crosse Curling Club in 2023. He has co-chaired the Instruction and Skills Development Committee (2023-2024), and now leads the Ice and Equipment Committee (2024-2025) at LCC. In addition, Brian has been a key member of the USA Curling Arena Club Working Group, contributing his knowledge and understanding to help improve the Arena Nationals playdown process and providing materials to help other arena clubs across the country.

Brian has also been an invaluable volunteer at community events supported by the LCC, and has served as a key liaison for USA Curling with the Titletown Winter Games, presented by U.S. Venture.

“We often say that our members who curl in arena settings are truly our most dedicated participants, considering all the obstacles they face,” noted USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell. “And after working with Brian on the Arena Club Working Group, I was not surprised when I learned the Recognition Committee was honoring him as the Volunteer of the Year. He goes above and beyond on behalf of both his club and our sport.”

In addition to regular activities at his club, Brian has been a key member of the group behind the Arena Nationals Bonspiel Qualifier, scheduled to be held in Lacrosse from September 6-8, 2024. For more information about that event, visit the Lacrosse Curling Club website.

About USA Curling

Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, 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.