The Cornerstone
The Foundation Newsletter
Volume 13, Issue 7 July 2010
"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?"
The Foundation
“One World, One Game”
__________________________________
Letter from the Editor
What Now?
The PBA Women’s Series is no more. The US Women’s Open is on hiatus for 2011. What are the elite women bowlers going to bowl now?
There is no Women’s Tour anymore; although the women can bowl the TQR squad to earn a berth into any one of the PBA Tour tournaments. The USBC Queens will still be held. But again, what now?
There are certainly some rumors flying around that indicate the BPAA might step and resurrect the Women’s US Open for 2011. I’d imagine that IF they decide to do something, they will most likely announce it at International Bowl Expo at the end of June. I’ll definitely keep my ears open for any word on that. But, seriously; even IF the US Open returns, what else? Is that really it for women? Only two elite tournaments?
I read an interesting online piece in the Examiner after the Team USA women visited the bowling campus in Arlington where journalist Mark Miller described the state (or lack thereof) of women’s bowling and what (or more specifically, who) might be able to save it.
Sponsorship is the key and right now, the only people sponsoring anything for the women are bowling related manufacturers. In order to really make something happen, sponsors need to come from other markets; like cosmetics, personal products, clothing lines, etc. We’ve all seen the movie Jerry Maguire; we all know the “four jewels of the celebrity endorsement dollar – shoes, cars, clothing line, soft drinks”. And while I don’t expect BMW, Acura or even Kia to jump right on board with bowling, it would be great if there were some non-bowling sponsors for the women (and the men while we’re at it).
Some of the women Miller quoted in his piece make some interesting points. Stefanie Nation suggest we could win the mega millions (of course buying a ticket greatly increases ones chances). Maybe there is a rich celebrity who loves bowling who could support the cause. Does anyone know how to contact Oprah or Ellen? I think Nation and Shannon Pluhowsky may be on to something there. All joking aside, seriously, maybe one of them would be interested.
To read Mark Millers’ Bowling Examiner, go to the following link: http://wwww.examiner.com/x-48604-Bowling-Examiner~y2010m6d9-Could-Oprah-be-the-savior-of-womens-bowling
Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship recipients announced
By: Terry Bigham; USBC Communications
Five students have been selected to receive a United States Bowling Congress Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship based on their community service and academic achievements.
Jessica Ash, Corona, Calif.; Ash was valedictorian of the class that recently graduated from La Sierra High School. Her volunteer activities include working at an animal hospital and a local elementary school. In her application, Ash said bowling has been a part of her family from the time her grandfather set pins as a teenager.
"The two most important things I have learned from bowling are how to be part of a team and what my place on that team is," Ash wrote. "Though it may seem trivial, this type of interaction helps to prepare us for those which will occur in college, in the work place, and even in our own personal lives."
Angela Kaczowka, Youngstown, Ohio; Kaczowka, the valedictorian of the 2010 Boardman High School class, was a four-year member of the bowling team and a member of the marching/concert band. She said bowling has taught her patience, good sportsmanship and discipline.
"Bowling also has taught me that you are allowed to have bad days," Kaczowka wrote in her application. "Sometimes the pins just don't fall the way you may hope. This is a lesson that can be applied to life."
Joanna Loewen, Wichita, Kan;.A recent graduate of Wichita High School North, Loewen was the school newspaper's editor and the National Honor Society president. She volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Bowl for Kids Sake. A four-year member of the bowling team, she recalled how she started in the sport of bowling just before her freshman year and how she did not get to bowl in many matches early in her high school career.
"Each day I had to make the choice to continue and not let myself or my team down," Loewen said. "Through pressing on, I gained knowledge and skill in the sport. A few years later, I was able to help my team to multiple match and tournament wins."
Joe Phillips, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Phillips was valedictorian of the St. Mary's Springs High School Class of 2010. In addition to being a member of the school's bowling team, he was active in the Performing Arts Club and concert chorus. He had almost 1,700 hours of community service during his high school career, including work at St. Agnes Hospital and taking part in the Salvation Army Operation Back To School program that assisted underprivileged children with school supplies.
"I have always tried to make service a priority in my life," Phillips said. "I have gained valuable lessons from service such as keeping my problems in perspective as opposed to others who are struggling for the basics of life."
Gregory Pizl II, Antigo, Wis.; As a freshman at Viterbo University during the 2009-10 school year, Pizl was named to the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Academic All-America Team. He is a USBC Bronze coach and has worked with Special Olympics bowling events and clinics for his local youth programs. He has helped with fundraising for the laceName w:st="on">LangladelaceName> laceType w:st="on">CountylaceType> laceName w:st="on">CancerlaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> and the Boys and Girls Club.
"Through bowling, I have learned that with dedication, research, preparation and practice, success will follow," wrote Pizl in his application.
NAIA elevates collegiate bowling to emerging sport status
USBC Communications
ARLINGTON, Texas – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has elevated the sport of bowling to emerging sport status. The move by one of the nation’s governing bodies for collegiate athletics puts bowling on the path to becoming a championship sport for dozens of additional colleges and universities across the country.
“This is a fantastic development for bowling student athletes,” United States Bowling Congress Collegiate Manager Gary Brown said. “We have crossed a key threshold on the path to bowling becoming an NAIA championship sport.”
Bowling reached emerging sport status when 25 or more NAIA member institutions declared to participate for the 2010-2011 academic year. There are currently 27 NAIA schools with varsity men’s bowling teams, while 29 have varsity women’s teams. If 50 or more NAIA member institutions designate bowling as a varsity sport, then bowling will be eligible for championship sport status and an NAIA national championship.
“Collegiate bowling has grown in popularity and our members are excited about how this sport will add to the competitive sports experience offered to young men and women competing in the NAIA,” Lori Thomas, NAIA Vice President for Championships said. “I would like to thank the United States Bowling Congress for their work to grow intercollegiate bowling. We look forward to a collaborative partnership.”
In the past season, USBC Collegiate has facilitated an overall growth of more than 16 percent in the number of institutions with bowling programs nationwide. In addition to NAIA, the sport of bowling is now recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
The NAIA has 60,000 student-athletes participating at nearly 300 member colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. Divided into 25 conferences and the Association of Independent Institutions, the NAIA offers 23 championships in 13 sports.
All of the NAIA bowling programs are members of USBC Collegiate, including the reigning USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships women’s champions, Webber International, and runner-up McKendree.
Other women’s NAIA teams that advanced to the 2010 ITCs from the NAIA include Pikeville, Lindenwood, Robert Morris-Illinois and St. Ambrose. On the men’s side, McKendree, Robert Morris-Illinois, Lindenwood, Webber International and the runner-up for the national title, Calumet College of St. Joseph, are all NAIA teams.
Mark Williams Plays Two Different Shots to Win 2010 PBA Senior U.S. Open
By: Jerry Schneider
Playing two entirely different shots in the championship match, PBA Hall of Famer Mark Williams won the 2010 PBA Senior U.S. Open at the laceName w:st="on">SuncoastlaceName> laceName w:st="on">BowlinglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> for his first major Senior Tour title.
Using the same ball and playing the right lane from an extreme outside angle and the left lane much farther inside, Williams defeated reigning Senior Player of the Year Ron Mohr of Eagle, River, Alaska, 198-181, to also win his third career Senior Tour title.
“I’m comfortable playing anywhere on the lane even in a one-game match--from the gutter to the sixth or seventh arrow,” said the 52-year-old Williams. “I wasn’t getting one good reaction on the championship pair so I practiced hitting the two- or three-board on the right lane and the third arrow on the left. My goal in practice is to focus on finding that one area of the lane that will get me to the pocket.”
Williams, of Beaumont, Texas, advanced to the championship match by defeating fellow Hall of Famer Dave Ferraro of Kingston, N.Y.--making his Senior Tour debut-- in the semi-final match 221-188.
The demanding Senior U.S. Open lane conditions and format were well-suited for Williams who bowled two 300 games, the only perfect games of the tournament.
“If I could design a tournament for the way I bowl, this would be it so I had a lot of confidence,” said Williams who earned $15,000 for the win. “I like a longer format and I don’t mind playing different areas of the lane.”
Williams also owns seven Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titles including the 1985 and 1988 PBA Tournament of Champions.
Williams impressed a lot people with the way he played the championship pair, especially Mohr.
“All I can say is that I’m very impressed—he did a phenomenal job,” Mohr said.
Mohr’s second-place finish broke a match play drought where he had not won a match in the first four tournaments of the season.
“Obviously I’m disappointed I didn’t win but I’m encouraged with how I bowled overall here,” Mohr said. “I won some big matches to get this far. Hopefully, I’ve turned the corner for the rest of the season.”
In the opening match, Ferraro defeated amateur and former touring player Don Moser of Murrieta, Calif., who was also competing in his first Senior Tour event, 194-177.
The U.S. Open format is one of the most demanding in the sport. To get to the championship round a bowler must get through four qualifying rounds and three-match play rounds for a total of 51 games.
2010 PBA Tournament of Champions Winner Kelly Kulick Wins Lakewood, Wash., PBA Regional Tournament
By: Jerry Schneider
Kelly Kulick, the first woman ever to win a Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour tournament, continued her storybook season by winning the PBA Northwest Region Tacoma Dodge Open regional tournament at Bowlero Lanes.
Kulick, of Union, N.J., defeated non-member Curtis Messer Jr. of Grays Harbor, Wash., 259-200, in the title match to win her second career PBA regional event and $2,200 first prize. She was the only woman entered in the 64-player field and now joins Missy Bellinder of Lake Forest, Calif., as the only women to win two PBA regional tournaments.
“I thought that if I could get to the top 16 in match play anything was possible,” Kulick said. “I think the format worked in my favor and bowling on the Viper lane condition helped too because I usually do very well on that condition.”
Kulick, 33, defeated 2007-08 PBA Player of the Year Chris Barnes 265-195 in the title match of the 2010 PBA Tournament of Champions in January which included an elite field of 62 other male competitors.
Kulick also recently won two major women’s tournaments—the United States Bowling Congress Queens in April and the U.S. Women’s Open in May. It was the second time in her career that she won both of those events.
When Kulick won the Tournament of Champions she earned a two-season PBA Tour exemption which means she will be competing on Tour full time beginning this fall. It marks the second time she has earned a Tour exemption having earned her first in the 2006-07 season.
“Everything’s going my way and I hope it doesn’t end but I know I have to keep working hard to get results,” Kulick said. “I look at my accomplishments so far as great preparation for the Tour season and hope the success continues there.”
Teen Masters Match Play Finals on to air PBA.com's Xtra Frame -Two top teen and collegiate bowlers to earn berths in PBA World Series of Bowling
The Professional Bowlers Association will provide exclusive live Xtra Frame on-line coverage of the match play finals of the 2010 Teen Masters from the National Bowling Stadium in Reno in late July, and will reward two players in both the Collegiate Masters and Teen Masters with paid entries into the PBA World Series of Bowling in Las Vegas in October.
The Teen Masters, originated by Gary Beck’s Killer ‘B’ Promotions in 1997, is the nation’s longest-running national championship tournament for youth bowlers. The 2010 edition will include a Collegiate Masters, July 22-24, followed by the traditional Teen Masters July 23-29 at the National Bowling Stadium. The Teen Masters program provides high-level scratch bowling competition and scholarship prizes for youth bowlers in 14-Under and High School divisions.
"From the beginning in 1997, the PBA has helped to make the Teen Masters National Championships a memorable and rewarding experience for America's top youth bowlers,” Beck said. “Having the 2010 finals look and feel like a PBA national tour stop and including three days of match play competition covered by Xtra Frame will make this event even more special for those who make the trip to the National Bowling Stadium."
The PBA has noted growing interest in PBA-level competition by young bowlers. Under recently-approved United States Bowling Congress rules, youth bowlers are allowed to accept prizes in the form of scholarship money without jeopardizing their eligibility. Two 18-year-olds with past Teen Masters experience – Andrew Koff of Miami, Fla., and Matt Gasn of Laurel, Md. – have won 2010 PBA Regional events while 12-year-old Kamron Doyle of Brentwood, Tenn., became the youngest bowler ever to cash in a PBA Regional event. More than a dozen other Youth bowlers have earned scholarship prizes by cashing in PBA Reg’l. events across the nation.
Demanding competition on difficult lane conditions in the Teen Masters has become a proving ground of a number of talented young players. Past Teen Masters champions Mike Fagan, Jason Sterner and Ryan Ciminelli have gone on to fulfill their dreams of bowling as PBA Touring Players (Fagan has won a pair of PBA Tour titles since winning the inaugural Teen Masters in 1997). Technical experts from Kegel will once again assist with the lane conditioning
The Teen Masters will include more than 300 boys and girls bowling in qualifying and head-to-head match play competition in pursuit of scholarships plus the first-ever opportunity for two top players from the Collegiate and two from the Teen Masters to bowl alongside the best bowlers in the world in the 2010 PBA World Series of Bowling, Oct. 24-Nov. 6, at South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas.
PBA.com’s Xtra Frame, a subscription-based on-line video streaming service, will provide live coverage of the final three days of match play eliminations in the Teen Masters, Tuesday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30. To enroll as an Xtra Frame subscriber, visit pba.com and click on the Xtra Frame logo.
USBC Gift For Life program awards 12 scholarships
By: Terry Bigham; USBC Communications
Twelve United State Bowling Congress Youth bowlers have been selected to receive $1,000 college scholarships through the USBC Gift For Life Scholarships program.
Gift For Life Scholarships are annually awarded to USBC Youth members who are high school students, have a GPA of 2.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale) and can demonstrate financial need. Recipients were selected by a committee of USBC staff members and the scholarships are managed through the SMART program.
"Many families are facing challenges dealing with college costs that continue to rise," said USBC Executive Director Stu Upson. "The Gift For Life program helps deserving USBC Youth bowlers to pursue their academic goals."
The 2010 USBC Gift For Life scholarship recipients:
* Farrah Bittle, Bay, Ark.
* Michael Byers, South Elgin, Ill.
* Katryn Comeau, Vancouver, Wash.
* Katie Fawley, Midland, Ohio
* Brianna Jordan, Austell, Ga.
* Joanna Loewen, Wichita, Kan.
* Shelsey Mateo, Las Vegas, Nev.
* Lee Olson, Hill City, Minn.
* Ariel Rosenberg, Titusville, Fla.
* Edward "E.J." Walden Jr., Milledgeville, Ga.
* Megan Williamson, Azusa, Calif.
* Nichole Wilson, East Islip, N.Y.
USBC awards up to 12 scholarships each year and two of the awards are reserved for children of fire department, emergency rescue or police personnel. Among this year's recipients, Walden Jr. is the son of Milledgeville Fire Department employee and Wilson is the daughter of an East Islip Fire Department firefighter/EMT.
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
WALT STEINSIEK HONORED
Receives the 10th Annual “ersonName w:st="on">John DavisersonName> Award”
World renowned cartoonist, Walt Steinsiek, has been named as the 2010 recipient of the “ersonName w:st="on">John DavisersonName> Award”. The surprise presentation was made at Bowl Expo in Las Vegas. Previous winners of the Award were: Joyce Deitch, John Weber, Ted Hoffman, Jr., Jim Dressel, Mark Gerberich, Carmen Salvino, Linda Davis, Gary Parsons and ersonName w:st="on">Len NicholsonersonName>. Walt is 84.
Steinsiek has been involved in bowling for over 70-years, starting as a pin boy in New Jersey. In World War II, he proudly served in the U.S. Merchant Marine, sailing in convoys to Europe on tankers and Liberty ships. A gifted artist with a wonderful sense-of-humor, he was an active member of the Artists and Writers Club in New York and earned a scholarship to the laceName w:st="on">New YorklaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType>’s laceType w:st="on">SchoollaceType> of laceName w:st="on">ArtlaceName> in 1946.
Over the years, his genius has won him numerous Awards, including the Joe Richards Meritorious Service Award from the NY Bowling Writers Association and the Rip Van Winkle Award from the BPAA. He recently was inducted into the NCABA Hall of Fame, and in 1984 he was also inducted into the greater Baltimore Bowling Association Hall of Fame. Walt and his wife Jane have been married for well over 40-years and have one daughter, Denise. Walt was a dedicated league bowler and a fierce tournament competitor. In 1971, he won the Kegler Bowling Club championship, beating out over 650 entrants. In 1984, he was awarded the American Bowling Congress Sponsor’s Award, for sponsoring the year’s highest scoring team.
Walt became involved with The Foundation at its inception, by becoming a Founding Member. He has also been a “Continuing Contributor” by designing several bowling related cartoons to Kegel that were (and are) used for advertising purposes.
ersonName w:st="on">John DavisersonName>, the man who started The Kegel Company, and founding ‘father’ of The Foundation, has been totally involved in bowling for nearly his entire life. At an early age, John's dad taught all of his children how to bowl. That "love affair" with this great Sport, has been going on for over a half a century. In his 50-plus years of involvement with bowling, it is safe to say that no one has done more for the Sport of bowling than ersonName w:st="on">John DavisersonName>. Even though The Kegel Company is a relatively small one, his personal investment in bowling has been unselfish and unmatched.
His innovations, inventions, contributions, etc., have all been well documented in the past. His leadership in both technology and humanities, both in this Country and Worldwide, make him perhaps the most sought out figure in the game today. His behind-the-scenes committee "work" is globally welcomed. Because of his vast accomplishments and devotion to the Sport, the Award (aptly called: "The ersonName w:st="on">John DavisersonName> Award"), was established by The Foundation in his name. This prestigious honor is presented annually to a deserving Foundation Member. A beautiful, “one –of-a-kind”, perpetual plaque, bearing each recipients name, is permanently displayed at the "home" of The Foundation, in The Kegel Training Center, in Lake Wales, Florida.
Congrats Walt, and thanks for all of your help and efforts with bowling and The Foundation.
**Editor’s Note** Sadly, just as this newsletter was going to press, Walt Steinsiek passed away, just as he was getting ready to head out to Las Vegas for Bowl Expo. We are running this article as originally written. There will be an update in next month’s newsletter. We are deeply saddened at his passing. He will be missed.
___________________________________________
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
I.B.P.S.I.A.
EBN Services
Storm Bowling
Classic Products
Bobs’ Business, Inc.
laceName w:st="on">VincenneslaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType>
BowlersParadise.com
Virtualtournaments.com
laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType>
David Driscoll & Associates
International Bowling Industry Magazine
Stars and Strikes Bowling Newsmagazine
_________________________________________
Please send change of address or email address to the address below, to ensure uninterrupted subscription to the Cornerstone newsletter.
The Cornerstone,
The Foundation’S Newsletter
The Foundation
c/o Kegel
6800 US 27 North
Sebring FL ostalCode w:st="on">33870ostalCode>
Phone: 863-382-2643
Email: savrsprt@yahoo.com
The Foundation
“One World, One Game”