The Cornerstone
The Foundation Newsletter
Volume 11, Issue 5 May 2008
"The crisis is upon us, friends. Our sport is in trouble. Many of you, that love the game as we do, will look at the crisis like a friend who is in trouble and needs our help. We must not shrink from the task before us, we should welcome it. It is 'our' generation that has been called to the challenge. If not now, when? If not us, who?"
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Letter from the Editor
Get a Grip
It’s amazing how small changes in your grip can affect your game. Over the past couple of months, I have experienced some changes in my life that have caused me a great deal of stress. As a result of all the stress, I have lost quite a bit of weight. While this weight loss has been quite good for my health, it hadn’t done too much for my bowling game.
Losing weight is probably what most people desire to do and while I was definitely in the majority category of people that wanted to lose weight, I certainly never expected to lose as much as I have so quickly. Needless to say, my bowling was affected by my weight loss. Not only did my thumb and fingers get a little smaller, my hand and wrist have gotten a little stronger (as a result of exercise and weight loss) which has made my release better and more consistent.
So, as I’ve been dropping the pounds and my thumb has been shrinking, I’ve just been adding tape to my thumb hole to compensate. I looked down the other day and realized that I had about 12 pieces of tape in one ball and needed to add more. This seemed a bit excessive so I talked with my coach and we decided it would be best to slug and redrill my thumbs in my equipment.
What a difference a good grip makes! Now, I’m not squeezing to hold on to the ball and I’m not loading the ball with several pieces of tape creating an inconsistent feel to each of my bowling balls. I can relax my hand without feeling like I’m going to lose it which has helped my release get more consistent.
A good fitting ball can make a huge difference to your game. If you feel like you are dropping the ball or you feel like you aren’t releasing the ball the same way twice, you may need to make some adjustments to your grip. Find a quality pro shop person in your area and have them check your grip. Make sure you replace worn out inserts as well as check the fit of that thumb hole. A properly fit ball can mean a few extra pins on your average.
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U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN, PBA WOMEN'S SERIES TO RETURN THIS FALL
By: Lucas Wiseman; USBC Communications
The U.S. Women's Open, a United States Bowling Congress event, will return this fall with five consecutive weeks of telecasts on ESPN, showcasing the world's best women bowlers on national television for the second consecutive year.
The event will take place July 31-Aug. 6 in the Chicago suburb of Romeoville, Ill., at Brunswick Zone XL. All five telecasts will be taped Aug. 5-6 and will air for five consecutive weeks beginning Sunday, Sept. 7 on ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern.
The PBA Women's Series, presented by USBC, will also return for the 2008-09 Denny's PBA Tour season with at least seven events. The Women's Series field will be primarily determined through the PBA Women's Tour Trials, which uses the qualifying scores from the U.S. Women's Open. In all, women's bowling will be featured on ESPN for at least 12 weeks between the U.S. Women's Open and Women's Series events.
The U.S. Women's Open, which was won in 2007 by Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., will follow a similar format as it did last year when it returned for the first time in four years. Players will compete in four eight-game blocks of qualifying over four days beginning Aug. 1 before the field is cut to the top 16 who will appear on television. The first four telecasts will consist of the Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches. The final show, to air on Oct. 5, will feature the semifinals and championship match.
"We were very pleased with the success of the U.S. Women's Open last year and are proud to once again conduct this great event," USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger said. "Showcasing women's bowling at the highest level is important in sustaining our goal of growing the sport."
The U.S. Women's Open, which has an entry fee of $250 and is open to any USBC female member, features the world's best professional and amateur bowlers and was a major on the PWBA Tour until that organization folded in 2003.
The Women's Series will again be featured alongside PBA Tour events, and most of the Women's Series stops will consist of a field of 16 players, however, one event will feature 32 players. The 16-player field is made up of the four winners of last year's Women's Series events (Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Shannon Pluhowsky, Joy Esterson and Diandra Asbaty) as well as 12 players from the Women's Tour Trials. Players who earn spots in the PBA Women's Series must become PBA members.
Players can enter the Women's Tour Trials for an additional $750 and use their qualifying scores from the U.S. Women's Open to determine the top 12 players who advance to the Women's Series. One Women's Series event will showcase 32 players with the additional 16 spots coming from the final standings of the Women's Tour Trials.
The Women's Series and Tour Trials debuted last year alongside the Denny's PBA Tour and U.S. Women's Open to create the first women's bowling tour since the PWBA ceased operations in 2003.
For more information on the U.S. Women's Open, visit bowl.com.
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Webber laceName w:st="on">InternationallaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType> Partners with the laceName w:st="on">KegellaceName> laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> to Offer Collegiate Bowling beginning in the 2008-09 Academic Year
laceName w:st="on">WebberlaceName> laceName w:st="on">InternationallaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType> (WIU) has partnered with the laceName w:st="on">KegellaceName> laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> to offer collegiate bowling beginning in the 2008-09 academic year. The 4-year private business university plans to field a team to compete in United States Bowling Congress collegiate tournaments to qualify for the Intercollegiate Bowling Championship Sectionals and Nationals. The team will train at the laceName w:st="on">KegellaceName> laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> and be coached by the coaches at the laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> in laceType w:st="on">LakelaceType> laceName w:st="on">WaleslaceName>, Florida.
The laceName w:st="on">WebberlaceName> laceName w:st="on">InternationallaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType> bowling team will compete in United States Bowling Congress events and has scheduled nine tournaments for the 2008-09 school year. WIU was designated as one of the best educational institutions in the Southeast for 2008, by the Princeton Review. They have designated a minimum of 12 partial athletic scholarships for bowling.
Webber plans to have a competitive men’s and women’s team as well as a developmental team to build toward a successful national program. Athletes will train at the laceName w:st="on">KegellaceName> laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> and be coached by Joe Slowinski, Del Warren and Randy Stoughton.
“This is great news,” said both John Davis, founder of Kegel and Rex Yentes, President of Webber International. “We can now focus on developing teams for the sport of bowling on a daily basis, added Davis.
“This is truly a dream come true for both Webber and the laceName w:st="on">KegellaceName> laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType>,” added Del Warren, Vice President of the laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType>.
“Members of the laceName w:st="on">WebberlaceName> laceName w:st="on">InternationallaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType> bowling team will have the opportunity to train at the leading training facility in the world with world-class coaches,” states head coach Joe Slowinski. “We expect competitive bowlers and serious students to be attracted to the unique opportunity to receive a quality education at Webber while receiving elite training at Kegel.”
laceName w:st="on">WebberlaceName> laceName w:st="on">InternationallaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType> is a small, private business university, located on a beautiful 110-acre campus along the shoreline of laceName w:st="on">CrookedlaceName> laceType w:st="on">LakelaceType>, 45 minutes from Orlando, Disney World or Universal Studios. Webber is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees as well as MBA graduate degree.
For more information about the team, please contact head coach Joe Slowinski at joe.slowinski@kegel.net or visit the school’s web site at http://www.webberathletics.com. To learn more about the training center, visit http://www.kegeltrainingcenter.com
For more information contact:
Joe Slowinski, Head Coach, (863) 734 – 0295, joe.slowinski@kegel.net
Bill Heath, Athletic Director, (863) 638 – 2953, wiuflad@hotmail.com
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laceType w:st="on"> Wichita StatelaceType> rides momentum to eighth men's national title
By: Kevin Hazaert; USBC Communications
laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> senior Jesse Buss said momentum was a key ingredient to success at the 2008 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm.
So when he buried his first shot for a strike to start off the men's championship match against UNLV, he knew his teammates would respond in kind.
"If you were able to get ahead and get the momentum right away, you definitely had the advantage," Buss said. "I was nervous the first shot, but after putting 10 down I was able to settle down."
The Shockers followed Buss' lead in rolling to a 2-0 victory in the best-of-3, single-elimination match over UNLV on Saturday at Northrock Lanes for a record eighth national title and first since 2003.
The championship matches will air nationally on CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV) at a later date.
"It feels extra special winning it here," laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> head coach Gordon Vadakin said. "We've got avid bowling fans here in Wichita, so it's cool for them. I feel thrilled for our team, thrilled for our fans ... it's awesome."
laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>, ranked No. 2 in the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Top 20, trailed only briefly early on against the Rebels. Junior George Lambert, Buss and junior Will Barnes rattled off consecutive strikes in the middle of Game 1 en route to a 202-171 victory.
A double from Barnes and Buss in the middle of Game 2 helped the Shockers distance themselves for a 203-169 title-clinching victory.
"This is what you wait for," said Buss, who was 4 of 4 on strikes in the title match. "To get there and bowl as well as we did, it is awesome."
Needing to win twice in the semifinals earlier Saturday, Wichita State knocked off two-time defending champion and No. 1-ranked Saginaw Valley State, 4-3 and 4-1 - rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the first match and jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the second.
"That's when we bowl our best," said Buss, who became engaged to Newman senior Courtney Brandon during Wednesday's "Night of Champions" Banquet. "When we need to throw shots and we're behind, that's where we excel."
UNLV, which was making it second appearance at the national tournament and first since 2005, eliminated Purdue, 4-2, in the semifinals.
laceName w:st="on">SaginawlaceName> laceType w:st="on">ValleylaceType> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> junior Dan MacLelland was named Most Valuable Player in the men's division for the second straight year. Joining MacLelland on the men's All-Tournament Team was Lambert, Wisconsin-Whitewater junior Jon Schalow, UNLV freshman Brandon Allred and Purdue senior Collin Kerschner.
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Pikeville denies repeat bid, wins second women's national title
By: Kevin Hazaert; USBC Communications
Pikeville senior Kayla Bandy can now add another accomplishment to her growing collection. The one she wanted all along - a national championship.
Bandy, the two-time reigning National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Most Valuable Player, and her Bears teammates defeated hometown laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>, 2-0, in the best-of-3, single-elimination women's title match Saturday at the 2008 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm, at Northrock Lanes.
The championship matches will air nationally on CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV) at a later date.
"This is the best day of my life. No question about it," said Bandy, who was an All-American all four years in college and the 2004-05 NCBCA Rookie of the Year. "It doesn't erase our previous disappointments here, but it makes us realize we went through them for a reason. All the tears and hard work paid off for this moment."
The Bears, ranked No. 2 in the NCBCA Top 20, denied top-ranked laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> of a repeat national championship, and a dual national title for the school. laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>'s men defeated UNLV, 2-0, earlier in the day to win the men's title.
They did so by taking advantage of a crucial laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> miscue near the end of Game 1.
laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> sophomore Sandra Gongora fouled in the eighth frame while working on a spare. Pikeville junior Jennifer Wright, who was a part of laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>'s 2005 championship team before transferring, capitalized with a strike in the ninth on the way to a 184-171 victory.
Strikes by Bandy, sophomore Sarah Germano, Wright and freshman Ashly Galante in four of the first five frames got Pikeville off to a hot start in a 183-158 championship-clinching victory in Game 2.
"We just breathed, relaxed and threw our shots," Bandy said. "We stuck to our strategy, stayed clean and stayed together."
Pikeville, which also defeated laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> for its first national title in 2004, advanced to the championship match with a 4.5-3.5 semifinal victory earlier Saturday to eliminate laceName w:st="on">Maryland-EasternlaceName> laceType w:st="on">ShorelaceType>, the 2008 NCAA women's champion.
laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>, which was seeded No. 1 after Thursday's qualifying, eliminated laceName w:st="on">MoreheadlaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>, 4-0, in Saturday morning's semifinals.
Galante, the 2007-08 NCBCA Rookie of the Year, was named the women's Most Valuable Player.
"I can't explain how happy I feel right now," said Galante, a Team USA member in 2007 who bowled anchor throughout the tournament. "laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> is a great team with a lot of talent. For us to do what we did was just amazing."
Joining Galante on the women's All-Tournament Team was laceName w:st="on">MoreheadlaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> senior Amy Corbin, Lindenwood freshman Laura Fonnegra, laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> sophomore Rocio Restrepo and laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> senior Emily Maier.
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Hawks fly high! laceName w:st="on">Maryland-EasternlaceName> laceType w:st="on">ShorelaceType> rallies to win 2008 NCAA championship
By Kevin Hazaert; USBC Communications
laceName w:st="on">Maryland-EasternlaceName> laceType w:st="on">ShorelaceType> capped off a memorable day of comebacks by defeating laceName w:st="on">ArkansaslaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>, 4-2, in the best-of-7 Baker championship match Saturday at the 2008 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship at Thunder Alley.
"After last year, I felt we were contending for a championship," said laceName w:st="on">Maryland-EasternlaceName> laceType w:st="on">ShorelaceType> head coach Sharon Brummell, who led the Hawks to a national runner-up finish a year ago. "These young ladies came out today and fought."
The national title is the second in the school's history, and first since the Hawks won the 1963 NAIA outdoor track and field championship.
It almost never came to be without the heroics of senior Jessica Worsley, the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, after the Hawks fell behind, 3-0, to defending champion Vanderbilt in the semifinals preceding the championship.
After shaving one game off the deficit, Worsley kept the Hawks alive in dramatic fashion by converting the 2-10 spilt in the 10th frame to give Maryland-Shore a 194-190 Game 5 victory and rolling to win the next two to cap the improbable comeback.
"The 'Big Four' is still my favorite split," said Worsley, referring to her 4-6-7-10 split conversion on Friday. "Knowing that could be my last shot and needing that conversion to stay alive, there was no way in my mind I was missing that."
laceName w:st="on">Maryland-EasternlaceName> laceType w:st="on">ShorelaceType>, ranked No. 2 among NCAA schools, fell behind 1-0 and 2-1 to laceName w:st="on">ArkansaslaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> in the championship match.
As they've shown they can do, the Hawks rallied to win the final three games - getting a pair of strikes from freshman Kristina Frahm in Game 4, two from junior Laura Zanrucha in Game 5 and two more from Worsley in a 174-170 title-clinching victory in Game 6.
"When we were down 3-0 to Vanderbilt, it got a little scary," Brummell said. "That split conversion changed the whole momentum for us and it carried into the championship. We didn't have anything to lose."
The Hawks will have an opportunity to win an unprecedented two national titles in one season next week when they compete at the United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships in Wichita, Kan.
laceName w:st="on">ArkansaslaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>, in its first trip to the NCAA National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship, advanced to the championship match with a semifinal comeback of its own, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to defeat laceName w:st="on">New JerseylaceName> laceType w:st="on">CitylaceType>, 4-3.
Joining Worsley on the All-Tournament Team was teammate Maria Rodriguez, laceName w:st="on">ArkansaslaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>'s Maggie Adams, Vanderbilt's Brittany Garcia and laceName w:st="on">New JerseylaceName> laceType w:st="on">CitylaceType>'s Vicki Spratford.
The championship match, which aired live on ESPNU for the second straight year, will be re-broadcast at 7 p.m. EDT Monday on ESPN2.
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Tom Clark named PBA Vice President and COO
By Rosie Leutzinger; PBA Manager of Public Relations
The Professional Bowlers Association announced today Tom Clark, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the United States Bowling Congress, has accepted the position of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the PBA.
Clark, who joined the USBC staff in 2005, will begin his new position with the PBA on May 15, following the USBC National Convention. He will primarily oversee television production, marketing and public relations for the Denny's PBA Tour.
The PBA Tour, which is featured on ESPN 21 weeks per year in addition to special events, will celebrate its 50th Anniversary next season.
"I am thrilled to have Tom join the PBA," PBA Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer said. "During his tenure with USBC, Tom has demonstrated a flair for generating excitement and attention for our sport and its stars and I believe that will immediately translate into a major benefit for our fans, players and sponsors."
Clark, a former sports editor at USA Today - America's highest circulated newspaper - was recently given the Billiard and Bowling Institute's Industry Service Award for his efforts to promote bowling as a sport. He was also named the Bowlers Journal Person of the Year in 2005 for similar efforts.
"This is a chance of a lifetime for me as a fan of professional bowling," Clark said. "The PBA Tour provides the greatest opportunity bowling has to penetrate mainstream America and internationally. As the public gets to know our players as the extraordinarily talented, competitive personalities they are, they'll better connect with and understand our great sport."
Kevin Dornberger, the USBC's Chief Operating Officer, says the move can benefit all of bowling.
"While the USBC will miss the creativity and innovation Tom brought, I am pleased that he will continue to implement those skills for the benefit of the industry," Dornberger said. "This may provide the opportunity for new partnership ventures between the USBC and the PBA."
Current joint initiatives and events shared between the PBA and USBC include PBA Experience leagues, the PBA Women's Series presented by the USBC, the USBC Masters, Team USA - which now features PBA Tour stars - and ESPN's PBA All-Star Shootout summer series.
The Denny's PBA Tour concludes its season this week with the 65th Denny's U.S. Open live on ESPN Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
"The prominent platform the PBA enjoys through its television and sponsorship relationships will allow Tom to expand upon many of the initiatives he has launched while at the USBC," Schreyer said. "Heading into our 50th anniversary celebration, this is a major step in assuring we make a major impact not only on the sport of bowling but on the American sports landscape as well."
Clark, 38, is a native of Syracuse, N.Y., and resides in Muskego, Wis.
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Phantom Radio Trivia Contest
In April of 2008, Phantom Radio celebrated its 6th Anniversary of broadcasting on the internet. Phantom Radio is a bowling “talk show” which features interviews with bowling people. The list of guests is a virtual “who’s who” in the industry. Every month there is a popular Trivia Contest that is sponsored by Storm Bowling, where nice prizes are awarded to those who are randomly selected after sending in the correct answer. In the past 6-years, several thousands of dollars of prizes have been given away. To be eligible to win, you must be a Phantom Phan Club Member. Sign-up today, at: www.foundation300.com
2008 Winners
JANUARY
- Vic Sockrider: Wins a brand new Storm Bowling Ball. Vic, please contact me so that I can put you in contact with the great people at Storm Bowling. THANKS STORM!!!!
- Lonnie Senior: Wins an Official USBC (baseball style) Cap, a 2007 World Ranking Masters Program, a Letter Opener and Premium Pen from Brake Max.
- Rick Wiltse: Wins a Card Shuffler and 2-decks of Playing Cards from Kegel.
- Art Johnson: Wins a Kegel “whiteboard” (with marker), a 2007 World Ranking Masters Souvenir Program, a Letter Opener and a Premium Pen from Brake Max.
FEBRUARY
- Richard Conley: Wins a very nice Bowling Bag from Storm Bowling. Richard, please contact me so that I can put you in touch with our friends at Storm Bowling. Congrats!!
- Bob Gritzke: Wins two packages of: “Skin-Protection Tape” from Turbo 2-N-1 Grips; a 2007 Special Souvenir Program from The World Ranking Masters Tournament; and an Official Foundation (baseball style) Cap, autographed by PBA Star Jason Couch.
- Mike Carroll: Wins a 2007-2008 USBC Guidebook; A - 2007 World Ranking Masters Special Souvenir Program - and a Personal “Wallet-Sized” Bottle Opener from Kegel.
- John Preston: Wins a “Life in the Bowling Lane” DVD with “The Unknown Comic”, along with a Travel Document Wallet from Kegel and Pleasant Holiday Vacations.
MARCH
- Dale Diamond: Wins a nice accessory item from Storm Bowling. Dale, please contact me so that I can put you in touch with our friends at Storm Bowling. Congrats!!
- Don Schiele: Wins a Pete Weber Bobble-Head Doll. This popular gift was donated to Phantom Radio from Wes Pye, from: Strike Ten Entertainment. Thanks Wes!!!
- Jon Wolfe: Wins a Foundation “baseball style cap” donated by the Kegel Company. This Special Edition baseball cap was autographed by PBA Star, Jason Couch.
- Tom Berish: Wins a leather “Pen and Pad” set along with a premium ball point pen from Kegel and a letter opener from Brake Max.
*contact ersonName w:st="on">Len NicholsonersonName> at savrsprt@yahoo.com
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Membership Report
We have members in all 50 states,
and the District of Columbia
We have members in 49 countries, including the United States:
Argentina Australia Bahrain Belgium Brazil Canada China Columbia Costa Rica Denmark Ecuador Egypt Finland France Germany Great Britain Greece Guam Guatemala Ireland Israel Italy Japan Korea Latvia Malaysia Mexico The Netherlands N. Ireland Netherlands Antilles
New Zealand Panama Philippines Puerto Rico Peru Qatar Scotland Singapore Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turkey U.A.E. Ukraine Venezuela
Corporate Sponsors
The problems that exist in our Sport are “industry-wide” problems that must be addressed by the entire Industry. The Foundation does all that they can to help, but we can NOT do it alone.
The Foundation has well over 1000-Members who have joined-in to assist. Some Members (Founding and Charter) have paid to show their support. Some Members (Associates) have just lent their “voice”. ALL of the members are important.
Even though The Foundation has NOT actively solicited bowling-related companies for help, some realize the importance of our “Mission” and have come forward with donations. We recognize the following companies for their loyalty and support to bowling.
KEGEL
KAT Travel