The Camaraderie of Sport

JOHN EPPING ON THE CAMARADERIE OF SPORT

How the Trent University alumnus and curling skip has become a leader on and off the rink

For John Epping ‘02, the name of the game is curling—and it’s a big reason he chose to attend Trent University.

With four Grand Slam of Curling title wins—a National Championship (2008), Players’ Championship (2012), Canadian Open (2015), and a Masters (2018)—Epping is a household name in the world of curling. He’s played with legendary skip Wayne Middaugh (a childhood idol, Epping says) and has been skip of his own squad since 2012.

Epping’s love of curling began at a young age. In fact, you might say he was born into the sport. “My mom’s side were big curlers,” says Epping. “My grandfather was one of the founders of the Ennismore Curling Club. So, obviously curling is in the blood.”

Growing up in Peterborough, Epping says he spent summers golfing with his dad at Peterborough Golf and Country Club, and winters curling at Peterborough Curling Club with his mom.

Reflecting on his decision to attend Trent University, Epping says, “As I came out of the junior ranks in curling, I had some tough decisions to make as far as having to compete a lot. I stayed at home and that allowed me to keep that curling focus and not let anything take away from my studies. I also had a lot of help from my family. I extended my stay a bit at Trent University so that I could maintain a top level both in competition and my academics. That was a major part of why I wanted to stay local.”

Epping graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Honours in History and English. Throughout his time at Trent University, Epping was able to balance his studies and burgeoning curling career—no small feat. “It was tough with late nights and doing work on the road, but I was super privileged to be competing at a top level in sport. I feel super privileged to be able to do both and have all the opportunities that curling has given me,” he says.

There’s a camaraderie in curling, unlike any other sport. Both between the players themselves, as well as the relationship they have with their fans since curling tournaments offer a unique opportunity for fans and players to gather together after a match. “Usually there’s a patch, a big hangout place, where a live band plays and you’ll see a lot of the curlers venture there. You can hang out with the fans and get to meet people that are cheering you on, or maybe people that are cheering against you—you don’t know, but it’s a great connection,” says Epping.

It was this sense of community and belonging that Epping also found as a student and athlete at Trent. Epping says being a member of the University curling team is