Sandra Schmirler

Sandra Marie Schmirler (June 11, 1963 – March 2, 2000) was a Canadian curler who achieved great success in her sport. She won three Canadian Curling Championships (Scott Tournament of Hearts) and three World Curling Championships. In 1998, she led her Canadian team to a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics, the first year that women's curling was a medal sport.

Schmirler was also known for her work as a commentator for CBC Sports, where she earned the nickname "Schmirler the Curler" because her name rhymed with the sport she loved. Sadly, she passed away from cancer in 2000 at the age of 36. Even after her death, Schmirler was honored with induction into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the World Curling Federation Hall of Fame.

In 2019, she was named the second greatest Canadian female curler in history, just behind Jennifer Jones. Her Olympic team, including Jan Betker, Joan McCusker, and Marcia Gudereit, was also named the greatest female Canadian curling team of all time.

Curling career

Sandra Schmirler began curling in Grade 7 at Biggar Composite School in Biggar, Saskatchewan, Canada. She was also good at volleyball, badminton, softball, and speed swimming. After finishing high school, she kept curling while studying at the University of Saskatchewan.

In 1998, curling was added as a sport in the Winter Olympics. Sandra and her team worked hard and earned the chance to compete. They did very well and won the gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. It was a big moment for Canada and for Sandra, who became famous for her great skills.

Teams

Career statistics

Personal life

Sandra Schmirler was born on June 11, 1963, to parents Shirley and Art Schmirler. She had two older sisters, Carol and Beverley. Sandra went to high school in Biggar and later moved to Saskatoon for university. She first studied computer science but changed to physical education, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1985.

In 1996, Sandra married Shannon England. In 1997, she became pregnant and her daughter Sara Marion was born that September. In 1999, Sandra’s father passed away, and later that year, her second daughter, Jenna Shirley, was born. After Jenna’s birth, Sandra faced serious health issues. Doctors found a large cancerous node behind her heart. She had surgery and also tried different treatments, including special vitamin therapy. In 2000, she worked as a commentator for Canada’s junior curling championships. Despite her illness, she shared her hopes to spend time with her family and return to curling. Sadly, Sandra passed away in her sleep on March 2, 2000, at the age of 36. Her loss was felt across Canada, and many honored her life and achievements.

Awards and honours

Sandra Schmirler was honored in many ways after her passing. In 2000, she became the first person to receive the Saskatchewan Order of Merit after death. She and her teammates had already received an honorary degree from the University of Regina. That same year, she was added to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Her team was also honored twice by the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, once in 1997 for their world titles and again in 2001 for their Olympic gold.

Regina, the city where she curled, named a leisure centre and a road after her. Her hometown of Biggar built a park in her memory. The Sandra Schmirler Foundation, started by her friends and teammates in 2001, helps babies in hospitals across Canada by buying special medical equipment.

In 2009, Sandra was given the World Curling Freytag Award for her great play and sportsmanship. Her family accepted the award for her at the 2009 World Men's Curling Championship.