Liapis named
2001 USA Curling Coach of the Year

(STEVENS POINT, Wis.) – Michael Liapis, 52, of Bemidji, Minn. has been named the 2001 USA Curling Coach of the Year. In selecting Liapis for this award, the USA Curling Coaching Committee said he was being recognized for "the high regard for his leadership, dedication and perseverance to his teams." Liapis coached two teams into the 2001 U.S. National Championships; one emerged as the champion, and the other reached the semifinals.

Liapis started curling in 1973 and got into coaching in 1988, when his daughters, Kari (Erickson) and Stacey, showed promise as juniors. Liapis is known as a conscientious coach. Health and competitive performance are high on his list, and he makes sure his teams' eating habits stay close to normal while traveling as well. Liapis is proud of his children's accomplishments, stating, "All of my kids have played at the world level, either in juniors or men's or women's events."

Liapis is considered selfless and resourceful in other areas of his life as well. In his position as Behavior Modification Principal in a Bemidji school district, he is always on the lookout for projects to benefit "his kids." He recently obtained a grant to build an Industrial Arts building for children who are housed by the Department of Corrections in Bemidji. Liapis says he considers his heroes to be the children of Bemidji who have achieved their goals through sport and other activities.

The Team Erickson players say they consider Liapis to be their hero, calling him "a great mentor, and a great coach." They say that he is adept at getting the most out of his players, and helps them realize their full potential. Liapis tailors his coaching style around his players' strengths, while inspiring them to improve on their weaknesses. He is content to remain behind the scenes, quietly managing the team and lifting the pressures of life away from the game.

At the 2001 Nationals, Liapis coached the Kari Erickson team to its second championship in four years. The team includes his daughters, Kari at skip, and Stacey Liapis, at second, as well as vice skip Debbie McCormick and lead Ann Swisshelm. Liapis went on to coach the team at the 2001 Ford World Curling Championships, where they got off to a 4-0 start before faltering and finishing 5-4, good enough for fifth place.

Liapis also coached the Paul Pustovar team in the 2001 Nationals. This rink reached the semifinals before losing to eventual runner-up Craig Brown's team. Pustovar's team regrouped and shortly thereafter earned the first berth out of the Men's National Qualifier for the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team Trials—Curling.

This article was written by Rick Patzke of the United States Curling Association and reprinted with the permission of the United States Curling Association.