33 Facts About Sandra Schmirler

Sandra Marie Schmirler was a Canadian curler who captured three Canadian Curling Championships and three World Curling Championships.

At tournaments where she was not competing, Sandra Schmirler sometimes worked as a commentator for CBC Sports, which popularized her nickname "Sandra Schmirler the Curler" and claimed she was the only person who had a name that rhymed with the sport she played.

Sandra Schmirler died in 2000 at 36 of cancer, leaving a legacy that extended outside of curling.

Sandra Schmirler was honoured posthumously with an induction into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and was awarded the World Curling Freytag Award, which later led to her induction into the World Curling Federation Hall of Fame.

In 2019, Sandra Schmirler was named the second greatest Canadian female curler in history in a TSN poll of broadcasters, reporters and top curlers.

Sandra Schmirler grew up an athlete, playing volleyball, badminton, and softball.

Sandra Schmirler continued to curl on the local scene, participating in the Biggar Curling Club ladies' league in Grade 9.

Sandra Schmirler continued to curl after graduating from high school, while attending the University of Saskatchewan, making her first appearance in Saskatchewan's provincial playdowns in 1983.

Sandra Schmirler threw fourth stones for a team which consisted of 1979 Canadian Junior Champions Denise Wilson, Dianne Choquette and Shannon Olafson.

Sandra Schmirler continued to curl, and was given the nickname "Schmirler the Curler" by a supervisor at the facility.

Sandra Schmirler joined the Saskatoon-based Carol Davis rink, playing third for the team.

Sandra Schmirler returned to the Tournament of Hearts the next year as the defending champion.

Sandra Schmirler lost her next two games and failed to advance to the final, losing a chance to win a third consecutive title.

The next season, Sandra Schmirler added Renelle Bryden to the lineup, as McCusker took the year off.

Sandra Schmirler made a difficult in-off to win and clinch the berth to the Olympics.

The Sandra Schmirler rink was among the favourites for gold, but there was a strong field in the event.

The game was tied after regulation play and went to an extra end, where Sandra Schmirler barely made a draw with her last rock to win the game.

Sandra Schmirler was born to parents Shirley and Art Sandra Schmirler on June 11,1963.

Sandra Schmirler was born with a club foot, which required her to wear a cast for two months.

Sandra Schmirler attended high school in Biggar, and moved to Saskatoon to attend university.

Sandra Schmirler started out towards a degree in computer science, but transferred after her first year to work for a degree in physical education.

Sandra Schmirler convocated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1985.

Sandra Schmirler had suffered from back pain, which was thought to be pregnancy related, and following Jenna's birth, she began to suffer from stomach pains.

Sandra Schmirler's heart stopped beating, and only emergency heart massage kept her alive.

In 2000, Sandra Schmirler worked as colour commentator for CBC during Canada's national junior curling championships.

Sandra Schmirler had been scheduled to work the 2000 Scott Tournament of Hearts, but was unable to do so.

Sandra Schmirler faxed a statement from the hospital, which was read by TSN's Vic Rauter.

Sandra Schmirler died in her sleep at the Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care Unit on the morning of March 2,2000, at age 36.

Sandra Schmirler's death caused reactions not just within Saskatchewan and the curling community, but across the country.

The funeral was conducted by the Rev Don Wells, and Sandra Schmirler was eulogized by Brian McCusker, teammate Joan McCusker's husband.

In 2000, Sandra Schmirler was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, becoming the first posthumous recipient.

Sandra Schmirler reached out to her country in sickness and in health and made us understand what really matters in life.

On January 7,2009, Sandra Schmirler was named the winner of the 2009 World Curling Freytag Award.