February 21, 2017

Getting to Know: Archivist tackles challenges of 16th century sport

During the workday, Troy Eller English faces the challenge of locating, organizing and preserving information as an archivist at Wayne State’s Walter P. Reuther Library.

In the evenings and on some weekends, she hurls a 42-pound granite rock, or “stone,” down a 16x150-foot sheet of ice, directing it as close as possible to the “button.”

The button — located in a 12-foot diameter target called the house — is the preferred destination for the rock with a handle. Landing as close as possible to the circle may ultimately bring victory for the team of four curlers.

Eller English has been involved in the sport of curling since 2007, the same year she joined the Detroit Curling Club and completed her master’s in library and information science at WSU. A year later, she joined the Walter P. Reuther Library as the Society of Women Engineers archivist.

The exact origins of curling are unclear, but it is widely believed to be one of the world’s oldest team sports. Paintings by a 16th century Flemish artist, Pieter Bruegel (1530-1569) portrayed an activity similar to curling being played on frozen ponds, according to the World Curling Federation.

Recently, Eller English's team returned with a fourth place finish at a competition in Cleveland – one of several competitions that she has participated in over the last decade. Though the sport may not initially appear as physically demanding as some others, Eller English says appearances can be deceiving.

“The sport involves more strategy, finesse and precision than brute force. That said, sweeping is tiring. We have hockey players, rugby players and marathon runners who are left panting after running down the sheet [ice], using all their force to melt the ice in front of the rock.”

The 34-year-old curler added that curling is a sport for all ages. “We have teenagers and members in their 80s, occasionally playing on the same leagues. When your knees and hips give out, you can use a stick to push the rock.”

Eller English’s experience as a curler has led to many new friendships and a sense of camaraderie. “I initially was searching for an activity that would help me meet new people and enjoy the social aspect. Curling definitely has been rewarding both socially and physically,” Eller English said.

Off the ice and in her role as an archivist, Eller English is passionate about her profession and what she is charged to accomplish.

“Archivists process information for future use and historical study. But the profession is more than that,” said Eller English. “In a sense, our role as archivists is saving society’s history so that we can learn from it and move forward. We’re using the past to inform the future. That’s important to me … ensuring that information, data, details and history are preserved.”

For more information about the sport of curling, visit the Detroit Curling Club’s website.

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