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Jacob Curby Memorial Award created to recognize character and commitment

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by Gary Abbott

USA Wrestling has established the Jacob Curby Memorial Award, to annually recognize a Greco-Roman athlete from each of its Olympic Training Centers for displaying strong personal character and commitment.

The award is being presented in honor of Jacob Curby, a Greco-Roman Team USA member who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 25 on January 22, 2010.

The winners of this award will exemplify the personal traits and characteristics which Curby displayed throughout his remarkable life.

These attributes include: hard work, never giving up, teamwork, positive attitude, overcoming adversity, steady performance improvement, hunger for knowledge, coachability, great human qualities.

Each year, the Jacob Curby Memorial Award will be presented to one Greco-Roman athlete at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich. as well as one Greco-Roman athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The winners of this award will be placed on display in the wrestling room at both of these training centers, and each award winner will be presented with a special plaque.

"This is a way that we can honor Jake Curby and his family, and keep his spirit alive in the wrestling world," said National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser. "He meant so much to our country and his commitment and character was impressive. This way we can also honor and recognize future wrestlers that emulate his characteristics. I am so excited about this new memorial award."

The award program is sponsored by John Bardis, the Team Leader for the 2008 U.S. Greco-Roman Olympic Team, as well as the 2005-07 U.S. World Teams.

Editor's Note: Visitation for Jacob Curby was on Wednesday, and a funeral mass was held on Thursday in his native Illinois. There was a tremendous turnout from the wrestling community, as well as from his hometown area in LaGrange, Ill.

The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the following:

USA Wrestling
c/o Jacob Curby Memorial
6155 Lehman Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918

or

Loyola University Medical Center
Dept. of Development
2160 First Ave.
Maywood, IL 60153
Make checks to Loyola University Medical Center Dept. of Development with memo: Pediatric Oncology Research in memory of Jacob Curby

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