Curling for Gold
by Tad Lichtenauer • February 2010 • 22 Comments •
John Morris (Wilfrid Laurier) has spent almost his entire life preparing for the opportunity to represent Canada in curling in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
I was five years old when I first stepped on the ice,” says. “Curling was something that was in my blood and in my family for a long time. My father was as an avid curler and the same with his great-grandfather so it’s sort of in my blood. And that’s sort of how you get started up here.”
Morris played curling, hockey, football, and baseball growing up but curling was the one sport that of stuck with him.
“And It’s been pretty good to me and I’ve been pretty lucky so far,” he says.
Olympic Moment
Morris’ four-man team qualified in December so they have had about a month or so to process what it means and to know that their lives have changed for the better.
“I’ve worked hard at competing and trying to get to the Olympics for about eight to 10 years,” he says. “It’s definitely not easy to get to the Olympics in Canada. Canada probably has nine of the top 10 teams in the world in our own country. So just to try to get to the Olympics on its own out of Canada is very hard.”
Morris even moved to Calgary, Alberta, so he’d be closer to the best talent and training facilities. Since Calgary hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics there are a lot of good nearby facilities.
Curling and hockey in Canada are similar to baseball and football in the United States.
“There are certain sports where your country pretty much expects you to win gold,” he says. “And curling and hockey are two sports in Canada that if you don’t come home with gold then it’s almost a little bit disappointing.”
Obviously, Morris knows that gold is the No. 1 goal.
“I think it’s a benefit that it’s in our home country.” he says. “I’ve been lucky to play in many world championships at home and abroad and I find definitely that the support and the atmosphere is better in Canada. I can’t wait to get out there to Vancouver and see a sea of red in the crowd. It’s going to be a pretty unreal feeling.”
The actual curling competition will occur from February 16-28, 2010, in Vancouver. Morris will spend the days before the competition finalizing the training and strategies.
The other top countries for curling are Scotland followed by Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.
“What a lot of people wouldn’t know is that to train for curling we’re in gym 2-3 hours a day and on the ice two to three hours day,” he says. “You definitely have to work hard at it to be amongst the world’s best.”
And curling and hockey are two sports in Canada that if you don’t come home with gold then it’s almost a little bit disappointing.”
Last September, he published his first book about fitness and curling, Fit to Curl.
“Fitness has always been a priority and interest of mine,” he says.
The book has sold well and if it continues Morris hopes to make the Canadian bestselling author list. “That’s our goal.”
In addition to his training for curling, Morris is a firefighter serving an area just outside of Calgary. He works two, 24-hours shifts per week, which provides tremendous flexibility for training and curling.
He trains with the other firefighters and is motivated by their encouragement and support.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better job,” he says.
Lambda Chi
At Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Jason “J.R.” Edwards was a very big advocate and ambassador for Lambda Chi’s colony.
“He was a good friend of mine at Wilfrid Laurier,” Morris says.
Even though Morris was very busy with sports, playing on the world curling tour while I was still at the university, he was drawn towards Lambda Chi after witness what Edwards had experienced.
“After witnessing what he had gone through and just the feeling of loyalty and brotherhood that I sort of sensed from Lambda Chi, I became interested in my second to last year,” he says. “And I found it also had a very strong link to athletics. I was a varsity athlete throughout my Laurier career. I found out a lot of other guys who were varsity athletes in the Fraternity so I thought it would be a very good fit.”
In 2001, the colony traveled to other chapters for their Initiation. For Morris’ experience, they traveled 12 hours to Eastern Illinois University.
Not knowing what to expect, Morris found the Ritual an unforgettable experience.
“I think a couple of things that I learned especially through the Ritual and Initiation was just learning from our mistakes and taking responsibility for your actions,” he says.
Lambda Chi Alpha helped Morris grow and develop as a person and teammate.
“You have to be able to learn from your mistakes when you are on the ice and throughout the season,” he says. “And to make sure you are able to work towards a common goal and support each other during tough times. I learned a lot of those skills and qualities from the Fraternity and it definitely was a great stepping stone for me.”
Ted Panagiotoulias Says:
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:51 pmGood luck from Toronto brother! Will definitely be routing for you.
John Windwick Says:
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:11 pmBrother Morris, congratulations on your victory in Edmonton and the upcoming victory in Whistler. I only wish I had known you were a brother while cheering your team on at Northlands. It would have added to the excitement knowing you and I shared a special bond. The bond of Lambda Chi Alpha. All the best,
John WIndwick
EP713
University of Alberta
Domenic Ciaravella Says:
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:15 pmJohn, what a great story. With an attitude like yours, you will no doubt succeed. You are very fortunate to have a friend like Jason give you support. I am very proud to know that a Lambda Chi will be representing Canada at the Olympics!
Domenic Ciaravella
DH 135
University of Western Ontario
Steven Poffenroth Says:
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:17 pmGood luck at the Olympics Brother Morris! I am sure you will make Canada proud.
Steven Poffenroth
DZ035
University of Calgary
Matt Gillard (Iota Phi 791) Says:
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:16 pmEh – Oh – Canada – Go!!!
Best of luck brother! If you win Gold, the brothers at the University of Alberta expect you to drop by with your medal!
Patrick Haney Says:
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:14 pmBrother Morris,
As one of the LCA staff members who worked with the original colony at WLU, it’s particularly exciting to know that one of its members is (hopefully) heading for gold in Vancouver. Good luck and “hurry hard!”
Patrick Haney
Epsilon-Rho Zeta
University of Alberta
Sean Thiel Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:21 amBrother Morris,
It is always a wonderful feeling to learn how one can pass the torch of brotherhood thru another brother (J.R. Edwards) and have it reach yourself to join the international brotherhood of Lambda Chi Alpha. I remember the days recruiting at Wilfrid Laurier like they were yesterday and recall the wonderful times spent with other great staff members like Rob Walker, Pat Haney and Matt Detjen all of whom were also responsible for the WLU colonization. None of us however were the most vital part as it was and always will be the recruitment of quality men such as yourselves that truly carried on the flame after we left. I will definitiely be rooting for you and your Canadian Team in this year’s Olympics.
In ZAX
Sean Thiel
Phi-Alpha Zeta
Eastern Illinois University
Tom Earp Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:37 pmThe very best of luck for our Canadian Brother John Morris in the up and coming games. I hope the televise it so I can watch.
Tom Earp
LX Z 1
Pittsburg State Un., Ks
Russell Palmer Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 3:02 amCongratulations on all of your success John, and good luck in Vancouver!
I appreciated the article and the side-note from JR.
Russell Palmer
Delta-Eta Zeta
University of Western Ontario
Duncan McRae Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 8:10 amWhat a great opportunity to reap the rewards of your labour. My fingers are already crossed. Good luck!
DH 32
University of Western Ontario
Alexander Karapancev Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 8:26 amGreat article!
Brother Morris congratulations on all the success you have had so far, continue what you’ve been doing and I’m sure Vancouver will be another victory. I also find JR’s side note inspiring, it truly exemplifies what the Lambda Chi bond is.
Alexander Karapancev
DH 354
University of Western Ontario
Matt Bird Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 9:34 amGreat to see brothers translating the values of Lambda Chi Alpha into success on the international stage!! Inspiring article and side-note. Best of luck at the 2010 games John; we’re rooting for you! Mmmm, Uncle Ben’s Bistro Express.
Matt Bird
Delta Eta Zeta 288
University of Western Ontario
Robert Testa Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 10:28 amBrother Morris,
It is amazing to see the amount of talent that comes out of such a great organization such as Lambda Chi Alpha; and you are definitely a highlight of that.
I’ve had the pleasure of being guided by both Graham Heaton & J.R. Edwards during my tenure as an Active Member at UWO and they have taught many how to pave their own road to success. You have definitely taken heed of their advice.
Best of luck in Van City!
Bring home those Large Loonie Necklaces!
In ZAX
Robert Testa
Delta Eta Zeta 283
University of Western Ontario
Scott Tykoliz Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 3:54 pmWay to go Johnny Mo!!
Wishing you and the boys all the luck in the world to make your dreams and hard work over the past 10 years, a reality in Vancouver later this month.
In Zax
Scott Tykoliz
Wilfrid Laurier University
Graham Heaton Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 6:14 pmJohnny Mo!!! Great article, you are certainly amazing representation of not only our country, but especially our fraternity!!! I always talk with JR about how much interest we have in curling with you around. Always cheering you on (except in our football pool matchups).
Thanks also to JR for being such an amazing brother, and for bringing out men of you caliber and continuing to help our chapter.
In ZAX,
Graham Heaton
DHZ 185
University of Western Ontario
Edwin Barahona Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 1:46 pmBrother Morris,
I am thrilled to hear about your success and wish you all the best as you strive to win gold in Vancouver! I am sure you are going to give it your best as you have done so far in your career. Absolutely, a great article and brother you are that exemplifies what Lambda Chi Alpha is about.
Amazing Article J.R. no one else could have put it better then you about replacing yourself, Hope to see you around the chapter as we normally do!
Once again, I wish you all the best in your endeavors!
In ZAX,
Edwin Barahona
DH 345
University of Western Ontario
Yasin Saleh Says:
February 6th, 2010 at 3:33 amBring home the gold JR, all the LCAs are behind you and cheering you on from all parts of the world!
In ZAX
Yasin Saleh
DH 175
University of Western Ontario
John D. Schmitt Says:
February 16th, 2010 at 6:02 pmWow, I had no idea that Phi-Alpha Zeta at Eastern Illinois University had an impact on an Olympic athlete.
This is one for the Phi-Alpha Zeta trivia book and a tribute to Brother Sean Thiel.
Good Luck Brother Morris and bring back the Gold!
ZAX
John D. Schmitt
Eastern Illinois University
Phi-Alpha 12
James J. Hill, Jr. Says:
February 18th, 2010 at 1:44 pmBest wishes during the competition, Brother Morris! Just as Brother Barahona said previously, this is article and your attitude towards everything your involved in currently both exemplify what Lambda Chi Alpha is all about. This will truly a wonderful experience for you, and I’m ecstatic that you are able to take this journey for yourself and for your country.
In ZAX,
James J. Hill, Jr.
University of Montevallo (Montevallo, AL)
Sigma-Epsilon 480
Michael E. Price, Jr. Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 12:56 pmBrother Morris, I will be rooting for you now all the way from Kentucky. I now have even more reason to watch Curling since USA did not do so well. Hopefully you make Canada proud, because I know Lambda Chi is already proud of you! Any chance the Lambda Chi world could get flashed a sign while on tv?? haha…..The Brothers of Zeta Sigma wish you the Best of Luck. Bring home the Gold!
In Zax,
Michael Price
ZS1044
University of Louisville
Matt Gillard (Iota Phi 791) Says:
February 27th, 2010 at 8:34 pmA LAMBDA CHI WINS GOLD!!! WAY TO GO JOHNNY MO!!!
Alex lopez Zeta Phi 795 Says:
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:28 pmCongrats brother on Gold and being a great example of the Lambda Chi Brotherhood.