Senate Resolution No. 2272

BY: Senator SKOUFIS

CONGRATULATING Daniel Casper of Briarcliff, New
York, upon the occasion of representing the United
States as an Olympic curler in the Milano Cortina
2026 Winter Olympic Games in February 2026

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its full
recognition and grateful tribute to the athletes of New York State who
have dedicated their purposeful lives to athletic achievement and
proudly represented their great State and Nation in international sports
competition; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Daniel
Casper, a young man of great skill, perseverance, and dedication, whose
character and athletic achievements are unparalleled and personify the
highest ideals of the American spirit and Olympic competition; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Daniel Casper of Briarcliff, New York, upon the occasion of
representing the United States as an Olympic curler in the Milano
Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in February 2026, in Milano Cortina,
Italy; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Casper started curling at the age of 11 at the
Ardsley Curling Club in Westchester, NY; his father, Jeff Casper,
ignited Daniel's pursuit and passion for the sport; this passion was a
torch passed onto Daniel, whose great aunt, Carla Casper, competed at
the 1988 Calgary Olympics; Carla Casper's husband, Tom Casper, coached
Team USA at the 1998 Nagano Olympics; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the deep family ties to the sport of
curling, Daniel Casper was tutored and trained by former United States
national champion and current world senior champion Bill Stopera, who
also hails from Briarcliff Manor, New York; and

WHEREAS, In 2017, Daniel Casper experienced his first national
success by securing the bronze medal in the United States U18 Curling
Championships; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Casper took the lead as the skip in 2020 at the
United States Junior Curling Championships and won three games; and

WHEREAS, The rise to his ultimate membership on Team USA was
preceded by his stellar performance at the 2023 International University
Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games in Lake Placid, where
the U.S. team secured a silver medal; this silver medal represented the
U.S.'s second medal all-time at these games for men's curling; and

WHEREAS, In 2023 and 2025, Daniel Casper's team followed such an
achievement with two second-place finishes at the national
championships; and

WHEREAS, Within the first three professional seasons, Daniel Casper
led his team to secure two Grand Slam of Curling Tier 2 wins; and

WHEREAS, In 2024, Daniel Casper graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a degree in strategic communications; and

WHEREAS, Despite being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome,
affecting Daniel Casper's mobility, Daniel Casper persevered and came
out victorious as the new skip for Team USA in November, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Casper received national attention by earning this
spot when he defeated five-time Olympian John Shuster at the U.S.
Olympic Trials; and

WHEREAS, Team Casper made USA Men's Curling Team history as one of
the youngest teams at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Daniel Casper of Briarcliff, New York, upon the occasion of
representing and leading the United States' Men's Curling Team in the
Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, and to wish him continued
success in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Daniel Casper.