MANITOULIN—Manitoulin curling fans had the chance to meet Olympics and two-time Canadian Brier champion Brad Jacobs, and the Brier Tankard, in a two-venue visit he made to the Island last Thursday and Friday.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this chance to meet you,” stated one Island resident at a meet and greet Mr. Jacobs took part in at Waters Edge Restaurant in Gore Bay last Friday afternoon. He was on hand along with his wife and their two children, and he brought the Brier Tankard along for the visit as well.
On Saturday, Mr. Jacobs took part in another meet and greet at the Assiginack Curling Club annual Memorial Golf tournament (which he participated in).
The visit was coordinated by Manitoulin Transport, which has been a sponsor of Team Jacobs for the past three years.
“Since our team won the Brier this year, I thought it would be really neat for Manitoulin and for community members who wanted to, to see and touch the Brier Tankard trophy,” Mr. Jacobs said Friday. “It is an historic trophy, and the curling community is strong on Manitoulin Island. I thought this would be a great way to give people the opportunity to see the trophy.”
“Manitoulin Transport has been a sponsor of our team for the past three years,” said Mr. Jacobs. “It seems to be a perfect fit, and they arranged the meet and greet events.”
“Melanie Carr (of Manitoulin Transport) mentioned that the Assiginack Curling Club was raising money through a golf tournament on Saturday. I like to play golf, and I like to support things like this where groups are trying to raise money,” said Mr. Jacobs.
Mr. Jacobs took part in the golf tournament, playing on a team with Island curlers Jordan and Kyle Chandler (the former who was a teammate previously with Mr. Jacobs). “It will be nice to connect with them,” he said.
Mr. Jacobs had his family members, wife Shawna and their children Cale and Camille on the trip and the meet and greet on Friday. “I think Manitoulin is just a beautiful place, and we don’t visit the Island enough, even though we are just down the road in Sault Ste. Marie.”
“And to be here in the summer is special. We are looking forward to taking in the beautiful scenery Manitoulin has to offer and the people who are so welcoming,” said Mr. Jacobs.
Jeff Smith, vice-chair of Manitoulin Transport told The Expositor, “We have sponsored Brad’s team for three years, having first met him through Jordan Chandler, when Brad played with the Island team, then when he played with the Carruthers rink in Manitoba. Then last year when there was an opening on the Alberta team for a skip and Brad joined them. This team is a powerhouse, winning the Brier.”
“We also sponsor the Kerri Einarson team of Manitoba (again for the past three years), which went to the world championships two or three years ago, and Brad’s team won the Brier and went to the world-winning a bronze medal,” said Mr. Smith. “Our company was looking for a sport that customers all through rural Canada would have the most access to attach our company name to. And my mom always loved curling. The sponsorship has been fantastic.”
“A person can go into a restaurant or sports bar anywhere in Canada and see our company name as a sponsor on television commercials. And Brad and Kerri have both been great to work with. It has been fantastic,” said Mr. Smith.
“We will have our same team in place for this season,” Mr. Jacobs confirmed. His Alberta rink, including Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant and Ben Hebert), “start on September 10 at Okotoks just outside of Calgary. We are all starting to get excited about the season. We have a lot of big things to play for. It will be maximum effort from all of us, and we are hoping to do very good things this season.”