As an influential administrator at the highest levels of the sport, Art Cobb literally put Utica on the world curling map. What began as a friendly game for him in 1953 evolved over the next 35 years into a very satisfying career.

Born in Utica on May 10, 1916, Cobb joined the Utica Curling Club at the urging of friends from the Rotary Club. From 1959 to 1963, he served as president of one of the most well-established curling clubs in the East. His circle of influence began to widen as he became secretary, treasurer and vice president of the Grand National Curling Club. In 1970, as chairman of the Silver Broom, he brought the world curling championships to the United States for the first time, and to Utica.

In 1972, he was named captain of a U.S. curling team that toured and "competed in Scotland, which is not only the birthplace of curling, but Cobb's ancestral homeland, as well. After previously serving as the organization's secretary and vice-president, he was tapped to be President of the U.S. Curling Association in 1973.

From 1973 to 1986, Cobb served as the U.S. Representative to the International Curling Federation. He was also treasurer of the International Curling Federation from 1983 to 1988.

In 1986, Cobb became the first American to receive the Elmer Freytag Award from the World Curling Federation for his years of service to the Sport. He was named to the National Curling Hall of Fame in 1989, and given honorary life membership in the Grand National Curling Club.

Cobb eventually retired to Florida, but he did not forget his roots. He was a major contributor who helped the Utica Curling Club establish its new home in Whitesboro in 1996. In 1998, curling became an official Olympic medal sport. Then in the spring of 2001 the Utica Curling Club entered the new millennium by hosting its first Olympic qualifier, complete with two top-notch teams from Utica.