VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR—LARRY BARROTT
Photo by: Bob Weder
[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, August 28, 2025] — Each year, the Recognition Committee of USA Curling selects a recipient for the Volunteer of the Year award from nominations received from the curling community.
We are pleased to announce that Larry Barott of the Heather Curling Club in Mapleton, MN, is the 2025 Volunteer of the Year.
Among other qualities, the Heather Curling Club leadership cited Barrott’s contributions as an educator, noting that, “…students who have learned under Larry's guidance are not only trained in the technical aspects of how to slide out of the hack and how to make a rock curl, but also the etiquette of the sport, including where to stand and how to behave when on the ice. His approach allows the kids to have fun, while really learning to respect the game.”
One of his students was John Landsteiner, who went on to win a gold medal in curling at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Throughout his time in curling, Barrott has made it a personal mission to engage with local community leaders to foster new interest through collaboration and shared enthusiasm for the sport. He believes in supporting other groups in Mapleton, and puts that concept to work when hosting the annual Family Fun Spiel. It is a terrific year-end event that people can enter just by making a donation to the local food pantry.
“His commitment to not only curling but his community reflects the spirit of our sport and Member Clubs,” added USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell. “While I know the Committee had several great nominees and choosing one person was not easy, we are thrilled to recognize Larry for his decades of contributions.”
When he is not on the ice, Barrott can often be found quietly watching a game while eating his supper from the curling club kitchen, consulting a yellow pad to coordinate an upcoming event. He sees the 16 weeks of annual ice time at the Heather Curling Club as a gift that should be embraced and maximized.
Barrott’s efforts have been a major driver of interest and participation in curling in the Mapleton community. For his many contributions to the game, we are pleased to recognize him as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year.
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, the Dale’s family of beers, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Ice, Sports & Solar (ISS), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of World Curling and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
