Portage curling coach hangs up his broom after state title, legendary career

This year’s state championship marks the end of a storied career in youth athletics — for both a Portage High School senior and her curling coach  

Coach Jim Shlimovitz led the girls curling team for 16 years. After his Warriors defeated Wausau West in this year’s state curling championships, Shlimovitz announced his retirement from the team. 

“I’m hoping this program continues to grow, continues to develop,” he said. “I think we left it in a good place that can really get more kids involved in the sport, more publicity for the sport and more fun for the kids.” 

Shlimovitz ended his career with over 300 wins and only 40 losses over 16 years.

Sophia Brom is a senior at Portage and part of the legacy Shlimovitz helped build there. She said she felt some pressure during the championship match because she throws the final rock for the team.

“But our team really tries to keep it calm because we all know that we play better when we’re having a good time and having fun. So we try to keep it light-hearted,” she said. 

They both spoke recently on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” about their experience at the state championships this February and their thoughts on the future of the game. 

Curling has deep roots within the Portage community. According to the Wisconsin State Historical Society, curling enthusiasts in Portage formed its first curling club in 1850 — the first of its kind in America. 

Shlimovitz said he threw his first curling rock — or “stone” — in 1992 after a friend took him out for a game. He said he fell in love immediately with the team aspect and the strategy of curling.

“It’s like chess,” he said. “It’s everyone thinking about the same shot and thinking two or three shots ahead. You can’t just think of the shot you’re throwing. You have to think of what the other team is going to do and what you’re going to do after that.” 

Brom first started curling at the age of 4. She said that 4-year-olds get to play with smaller rocks than full-sized curlers, but the community element of the sport is the same. 

“Everyone loves to play, and it’s not even always about playing,” she said. “It’s about having fun with the people you’re with. … Grab a friend, go out and try it. You never know how much fun it is until you try it with a group of people you know — or don’t know.”

Brom has plans to continue playing curling in a local club when she attends the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this fall. 

Check the Wisconsin Curling Club Directory to find a local club or opportunity in your area of the state.