ARLINGTON, Texas – High school teams now have access to top bowling equipment through a new grant program administered by the Youth Education Services (YES) Fund. The program allows entire high school teams to apply for new bowling gear.

In order to qualify for the Students Equipped to Strike (S.E.T.S.) grant program, at least one member of the team must demonstrate an economic need for assistance.

“High school coaches really need to take a look at this grant program,” Chad Murphy International Bowling Campus Director of Youth Development said. “Kids are sometimes shy about applying for need-based grants. This program is designed to help the child in need but also promote the team concept so the whole roster receives new equipment in the process.”

The S.E.T.S. grants are made possible with assistance from the Bowling Foundation, The YES Fund, Classic Products and The National Bowling Association.

“Athletic directors and coaches now have the opportunity to get new equipment for their teams at no cost to the school or the student-athlete,” Cathy DeSocio, Bowling Foundation Board Chair said. “Custom-fitted equipment can improve not only the scores of the bowler, but the self-confidence of the athlete. These young athletes are working hard to be competitive and this program can help them succeed.”

The YES Fund is a joint initiative of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the United States Bowling Congress. The YES Fund also is supported by its founding partners Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, 900 Global, Hammer, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track.

Applications for the S.E.T.S. grant can be found online at BOWL.com/highschool or bpaa.com/youth.

Are you a youth bowler looking for a team or a partner for an upcoming tournament?

We’re here to help. Simply visit the link below, fill out the quick, private and secure form you’ll find there, and we’ll do our best to make it happen for you.

Would you like help finding a partner?

ARLINGTON, Texas – The newly created Youth Education Services (YES) Fund made its first direct step in support of the YES mission to promote youth bowling with the announcement of a program designed to create and preserve high school bowling programs.The YES Fund – High School Grant Program will provide $2,500 to four high school programs annually. The high school teams must show financial need because of budget cuts or other changes, or may request funding to start a new program.

“High school bowling has shown rapid growth in the last decade, but many school-funded sports programs are facing cuts right now,” Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) Director of Youth Chad Murphy, who oversees YES Fund programs, said. “Thankfully, the YES Fund and its partners have stepped up to make a grant program possible and now the bowling industry can help keep this key age group on the lanes.”

Founding partners Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, 900 Global, Hammer, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track provided key support to launch the YES Fund. The YES Fund is a joint initiative of the BPAA and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).

To kick off the High School Grant Program, the YES Fund will award $2,500 to Middlesex High School in Middlesex, N.J., to help that 19-year-old bowling program continue in 2010-11. The Middlesex High School team learned in June that because of economic constraints the program was going to be cut.

Parents and supporters of the Middlesex program held fundraisers throughout the summer and, in late September, the Middlesex Board of Education approved the reinstatement of the varsity bowling program. Twenty-five bowlers have signed up for the Middlesex team this season.

The new High School Grant Program, which will be administered by USBC High School, was established for programs facing cuts such as Middlesex High School and for schools which seek to start new programs.

“It is important for high school coaches, athletes and parents to know there are resources here to help,” USBC High School Manager Breanne Eoff said. “It can be a real challenge for people to know how to help a high school program. Our team can help provide guidance and answers.”Applications for the High School Grant Program, along with supporting materials, must be returned to USBC High School. The high school will be required to register online in the free USBC High School Coaches Registration. Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and grant recipients will be notified in writing. An application can be found by going to BOWL.com/highschool.

About International Bowling Campus

The International Bowling Campus (IBC) is the headquarters for the bowling industry and directly serves the more than 71 million bowlers in the United States. The IBC houses the resources of the United States Bowling Congress, the governing body and membership organization for the sport; the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, representing the business interests of bowling centers; Strike Ten Entertainment, the marketing arm for the industry; the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame; The Bowling Foundation; the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association; the Bowling Writers Association of America; the Bowling News Network; the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America; and the International Training and Research Center.

Related articles

• 15 Lesser Known Athletic Scholarships That High School and College Athletes Should Apply For (schoolgrantsblog.com)

The Dayton USBC Youth All Star teams will consist of:

• 4 Bantam bowlers
• 4 Prep boys
• 4 Prep girls
• 5 Junior boys
• 5 Junior girls
• 5 Major boys
• 5 Major girls.

The top point bowler in each division will be the MVP/captain of each team.

Here is the criteria for selection. Below you’ll find a link to download a printable document.

Click here to download printable PDF file.

ARLINGTON, Texas – In a groundbreaking agreement, leaders of the nation’s largest bowling manufacturers will partner with the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the United States Bowling Congress to create a new funding source dedicated to youth bowling development and marketing.
The new Youth Education Services (YES) Fund is a joint initiative of BPAA, USBC and The Bowling Foundation. Many of the leading brands in bowling, including Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, 900 Global, Hammer, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track, have agreed to significant contributions to the YES Fund totaling more than $250,000.

“This is an unprecedented statement about the level of unity being created in the bowling industry through the International Bowling Campus,” BPAA Executive Director Steve Johnson said. “This is about more than one organization or company; bowling is the brand and seeing such a strong commitment to the future of our sport from these great partners is truly exciting.”

An initial focus for the YES Fund project will be development of a new mainstream sports model for bowlers 12 years old and younger. This will involve testing new team-based structures for competition along with the development of training and recruitment programs to attract volunteer coaches.

“This project demonstrates the high level of commitment proprietors and manufacturers have toward growing bowling as a sport,” USBC Executive Director Stu Upson said. “The goals of the YES Fund completely align with USBC’s vision and will only strengthen our organization.”

Programs initiated through the YES Fund will be led by BPAA Director of Youth Chad Murphy and supported with staff from USBC and BPAA. Soon, there will be additional opportunities for more partners to join the program.

“The partnerships that have been created unite the industry in a single cause – the betterment of youth bowling. The commitment by the leaders of bowling to join together in this effort will strengthen the sport today and for generations to come,” Murphy said. “We are thrilled to have many top bowling brands on board and expect more industry partners will soon follow.”

The concept of the YES Fund was introduced at an inaugural youth bowling summit last month at the International Bowling Campus. During the summit, executives from some of the industry’s leading brands heard a detailed presentation about the project and all in attendance quickly agreed to contribute to the fund. Plans call for initial testing of pilot programs related to the YES Fund later this year.

What bowling brands are saying about the YES Fund

“Brunswick is proud to be a part of the YES Fund industry initiative. It is great to see all the companies make an investment into the future of our industry as we work together to create a more positive experience for our youth bowlers.” – Brian Graham, Brunswick Consumer Products
“The brands of Ebonite International are proud to be contributing participants in the new YES Fund. In our view, the YES Fund program is the best possible approach to garnering industry involvement in developing programs that can ensure the future of our sport…America’s youth.” – Bob Reid, Ebonite International

“We at 900 Global are proud to be involved in a new and refreshing approach to build interest and education within youth bowling.  After hearing the presentation and plan for the YES Fund, we were very excited and felt it was vital for us to be a part of something that will build on the future of our sport.” – Dave Smart, 900 Global

“QubicaAMF believes that the development of youth bowling is one of the keys to the long term health of our industry and that we are excited to be a founding partner of the YES Fund program.” – John Walker, QubicaAMF

“It was a real easy decision for Storm to make to be a part of the YES Fund program. We were very impressed by the way BPAA and USBC came together with this initiative and we realize the future of bowling is with the kids.” – Dave Symes, Storm Products

Related articles by Zemanta

• Taylor Swift Bowls Over Justin Bieber to Become Celebrity Inductee Into International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame (prnewswire.com)
• 15 Lesser Known Athletic Scholarships That High School and College Athletes Should Apply For (schoolgrantsblog.com)

ARLINGTON, Texas – Dexter Bowling and the United States Bowling Congress have agreed on a partnership that will keep Dexter as the exclusive title sponsor of the USBC High School All-American Team.

The three-year agreement also includes Dexter’s sponsorship of the USBC Coach/Player Luncheon at the Intercollegiate Team Championships. Dexter has been the official sponsor of the USBC High School All-American Team since 2005-06.
“Dexter has been a big supporter of high school and youth bowling, and it is great that we can continue our relationship with them in the coming years,” USBC Executive Director Stu Upson said. “Being named to the Dexter All-American Team is one of the most prestigious honors a high school bowler can achieve and the recognition of these bowlers is because of the commitment Dexter has made to this program.”

Each year, five male and five female USBC High School members are selected for the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team. Each All-American receives a $1,000 scholarship.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with USBC to promote high school and collegiate bowling,” Dexter Shoe Company Vice President Bud Clapsaddle said. “It is important to recognize the many young bowlers who are not only great ambassadors for the sport but also make important contributions to their communities.”

Coaches or team administrators nominate eligible contenders for the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team. Selection to the team is based on bowling accomplishments, academic achievement, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities and community involvement, and submitted essays and resumes. Minimum requirements include a 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and at least one letter of recommendation.

The Dexter/USBC All-American Team awards are presented at the USBC Junior Gold Championships in July.

Dexter Bowling also will sponsor the USBC Coach/Player Luncheon at the ITC. The ITC is the pinnacle event of the college bowling season, bringing together the top 16 men’s and top 16 women’s teams in the country to compete for national titles.

Go to BOWL.com/highschool for more information about the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team.

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.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

Bowl with US

Click here to download!

Click here for final standings PDF document.

(Click on image for a Complete Listing in PDF format)

Click the image for a COMPLETE listing

(PDF file)

“Unofficial Results”

A complete listing of “Unofficial” results (pending AVG. verification), click here.

Stay tuned, grab a Feed, or simply an old-fashioned bookmark, and watch for the improvements and additions we’ll make in catering to you, the future of bowling in our city of Dayton.

See you on the lanes!

ARLINGTON, Texas – Bowling continued its growth as a high school sport in the 2008-09 school year, according to the most recent National Federation of State High School Associations participation survey.

With more than 51,000 students competing at the 4,857 schools that offered high school bowling during the 2008-09 school year, the sport saw a 2.6 percent increase over the number of competitors from the 2007-08 school year. The participation survey has been compiled since 1971 by the NFHS through numbers it receives from its member associations.

“With school districts having to make tough decisions about sports programs because of a tight economy, it is great to see that high school bowling has been able to continue its growth,” said United States Bowling Congress Director of Youth Development Brian Graham. “The sport has consistently grown for the last decade and we expect the trend to continue as more states make bowling a varsity sport.”

High school bowling has seen double-digit growth in five of the last eight seasons and the number of varsity bowlers has more than doubled this decade. This season, 19 states will have high school bowling as a varsity sport and 27 states will offer it on the club level. New Hampshire has made bowling a sanctioned sport for the 2009-10 school year, and Iowa is adding boys’ bowling as a varsity sport.

“Each year more schools are finding out about the benefits of making bowling a part of their sports curriculum,” said USBC High School Manager Breanne Eoff. “It is a sport that is accessible to all students and the costs to start a program are minimal compared to other sports.”

USBC High School is working to continue the sport’s upward trend by providing rules and instructional opportunities. USBC High School also offers a free membership program, which enables coaches to nominate outstanding bowlers to the national Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team, and provides high-score recognition to student-athletes. Coaches also receive resource materials such as the USBC High School Guide.

The complete results of the 2008-09 participation survey are available at the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org.

Continuing its climb
The number of high school bowlers has more than doubled since the start of the decade and the sport has shown double-digit growth in five of the last eight years, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Year        Boys (schools)  Girls (schools)  Total   Increase
2008-2009   27,311 (2,469)  24,061 (2,388)   51,372  2.6%
2007-2008   26,652 (2,298)  23,413 (2,242)   50,065  11.9%
2006-2007   23,705 (2,137)  21,359 (2,053)   45,064  6.0%
2005-2006   22,195 (2,009)  20,287 (1,926)   42,482  7.6%
2004-2005   20,634 (1,797)  18,815 (1,705)   39,449  15.2%
2003-2004   17,849 (1,504)  16,383 (1,494)   34,232  14.5%
2002-2003   16,002 (1,281)  13,886 (1,176)   29,888  16.6%
2001-2002   12,597 (1,046)  13,029 (1,061)   25,626  22.1%
2000-2001   10,115 (828)    10,861 (898)     20,976  6.4%
1999-2000   10,110 (859)    9,603 (890)      19,713  9.9%

Top participating states
With more than 8,000 bowlers, New York has the largest number of high school competitors in bowling programs, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. The states with the highest participation in high school bowling:

Boys
1. New York, 4,630
2. Michigan, 3,690
3. Ohio, 3,641
4. New Jersey, 2,771
5. Illinois, 2,690

Girls
1. New York, 3,450
2. Illinois, 3,290
3. Ohio, 2,788
4. Michigan, 2,709
5. New Jersey, 1,857

Click here, or on the image, to download PDF file with complete info!

ARLINGTON, Texas – Elizabeth Donahoe of Ardsley, Pa., has been named the winner of the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Annual Zeb Scholarship.

The Zeb Scholarship is awarded to a USBC Youth member who achieves academic success and gives back to the community through service. Started in 2005, the award is named for Jim Zebehazy, who served as the executive director of the Young American Bowling Alliance from October 1996 through December 2004.

“I have always excelled in academics, participated in after-school activities, and volunteered to help better my community,” Donahoe said. “I needed a sport to help keep me active and also to experience the athletic side of life. It was gratifying to find a team-oriented sport where I could truly enjoy myself.

“Bowling has been so much fun and I value the bond that my team has created. A supportive environment where I can enjoy myself and also keep fit was exactly what I was looking for. Receiving the Zeb Scholarship is such an honor for me. I am thrilled about being the recipient this year.”

Donahoe will receive a $2,500 scholarship, which will be managed through the USBC’s SMART Program. The scholarship will be formally presented at the USBC Junior Gold Championships award presentation July 17 in Indianapolis.

This past summer, Donahoe traveled to Nicaragua, through the Building with Books program at her high school, to help build a school in a small village. In her applicant essay, Donahoe described the life of her Nicaraguan family, saying it “showed me material things do not matter. Even though they have a mud house with mud floors, they have the biggest hearts and welcomed us into their close-knit family.”

Donahoe will graduate from Abington Senior High School next month. She is a National Honor Society member and has a 4.395 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. She earned the Gold Award, the highest national honor given by the Girl Scouts of America, for putting together an event to help women with young children entering the workforce. The event included breakfast and lunch, motivational speakers, a workshop on resume writing, and a session on skills needed in an interview.

She has bowled in the Saturday morning Juniors league at Thunderbird Lanes in Willow
Grove, Pa., the past four seasons.

Annual Zeb Scholarship Award Winners
2005 Katelyn Spangler, Renton, Wash.
2006 Nicole Miller, Petaluma, Calif.
2007 Jacob Greene, Oilton, Okla.
2008 Natalie Demarko, Brunswick, Ga.
2009 Elizabeth Donahoe, Ardsley, Pa.

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 early 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The top four teams came from the GWOC Central Division. This is one of the toughest Conferences in the State of Ohio.

Beavercreek High School Boys came out on top with a score of 4358. Kyle Looney led the Beavers with a 699 series with the help of Bock Hines at 643. Preston Bugary stepped in the last two regular games for a 467 two game finish.The Beavers averaged 199 in the 6 game baker games with the help from Austin Bach & Nick Jones. Freshman Daniel McHugh help by throwing the last ball to get a strike. They worked hard all day and were able to stay ahead of the lanes. This is the first time the Beavercreek Boys have advanced to the next level. There is a lot of talent on this team and Saturday they got a chance to prove it.

They were followed by Fairmont (4250), Wayne (4227), Centerville (4182), Carroll (4152) & Stebbins (4097). There were 6 individuals advancing that were not on advancing teams taht will also compete at the District. Dylan Colton (Miamisburg) with an impressive 781. Followed by Luke Nimer (Tippecanoe) 667, Eric Sacks (Butler) 650, Scott Godby (Greenon) 649, Brian Bevenuto (Northmont) 644 & Matt McStay (Butler) 629.

GREENDALE, Wis. – Bowling was the largest-growing high school sport in the 2007-08 school year, continuing a decade-long trend, according to the most recent National Federation of State High School Associations participation survey.

More than 52,000 students competed at the 4,656 schools offering high school bowling competition in 2007-08, representing a 16 percent increase from the 45,064 bowlers who participated during the 2006-07 school year. Lacrosse saw the second-largest increase in 2007-08 at 14 percent.

]”The sustained growth of high school bowling is great news for the bowling industry as it increases the number of competitive opportunities and enhances bowling’s image,” said United States Bowling Congress Director of Youth Development Brian Graham. “Over the past 10 years, we have witnessed significant growth at the high school level and we expect to see this trend continue.”

In the last decade, bowling participation has nearly tripled. During the 1998-99 school year, 17,930 students competed in bowling at 1,633 schools.

In 2007-08, varsity programs were offered in 20 states and 52,226 students participated in the sport. The sport also passed the 25,000 mark for both boys and girls participation with 26,652 boys participating at 2,298 schools and 25,614 girls participating at 2,358 schools.

“USBC is excited to continue our partnership with the NFHS to encourage the growth of high school bowling throughout the country,” said USBC High School Manager Breanne Eoff. “Bowling is a great addition for any high school. It reaches a wider range of student-athletes than traditional high school sports and teaches teamwork, preparation and commitment.”

States offering varsity bowling for boys and girls in 2007-08 were Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Iowa and Washington offered girls varsity programs only, South Carolina had private school varsity programs, and Minnesota offered adaptive bowling for students with physical or cognitive disabilities.

The USBC High School program works to continue this upward trend by guiding all levels of high school bowling, providing rules and instructional opportunities. USBC High School offers a free membership program, which enables coaches to nominate outstanding bowlers to the national Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team, and provides high-score recognition to student-athletes. Coaches also receive resource materials such as the USBC Coaches Guidebook and USBC High School Guide.

Bowling not only offers inexpensive start-up and maintenance costs but also allows students an opportunity to become involved with their high schools, lays the foundation for a lifetime sport and helps athletes earn scholarships and bowl in college.

United States Bowling Congress High School

The United States Bowling Congress High School program actively offers guidance to all levels of high school bowling by providing rules, instructional opportunities, awards and industry resources to ensure the success of high school bowling nationwide. USBC High School is a resource for school administrators, high school state athletic associations, state proprietor associations and industry member organizations in the creation and maintenance of high school bowling programs.

USBC, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

Bowl with US
Rolling along

Bowling was the fastest-growing high school sport in 2007-08, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. The sport enjoyed a 16 percent overall increase in participation. The 16 percent increase marked the fifth time in the last seven years that bowling has shown a double-digit increase in participation.

School year    Boys (schools)   Girls (schools)     Total   Increase

2007-08        26,652 (2,298)    25,614 (2,358)    52,226    15.9%

2006-07        23,705 (2,137)    21,359 (2,053)    45,064     6.0%

2005-06        22,195 (2,009)    20,287 (1,926)    42,482     7.6%

2004-05        20,634 (1,797)    18,815 (1,705)    39,449    15.2%

2003-04        17,849 (1,504)    16,383 (1,494)    34,232    14.5%

2002-03        16,002 (1,281)    13,886 (1,176)    29,888    16.6%

2001-02        12,597 (1,046)    13,029 (1,061)    25,626    22.1%

2000-01        10,115 (828)        10,861 (898)    20,976     6.4%

1999-2000      10,110 (859)         9,603 (890)    19,713     9.9%

1998-99         9,149 (787)      8,781 (846)    17,930    6.1%

Top participating states

New York has more than 8,000 bowlers competing in high school programs, according to a Sept. 2008 report from the National Federation of State High School Associations. The states with the highest participation in high school bowling:

Boys

1. New York, 4,630
2. Ohio, 3,505
3. Michigan, 3,386
4. New Jersey, 3,034
5. Illinois, 2,351

Girls

1. New York, 3,450
2. Illinois, 3,171
3. Ohio, 2,582
4. Michigan, 2,539
5. Connecticut, 2,201

Two national scholarship opportunities available this fall

GREENDALE, Wis. – Qualified United States Bowling Congress youth and adult members have until October 1 to apply for the Chuck Hall and Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow awards. Winners will receive $6,000 scholarships plus national recognition at the USBC Convention next spring.

“Bowling’s national governing body is proud to acknowledge the up and coming stars of our sport and encourage them to apply for these prestigious honors,” said Kevin Dornberger, USBC’s chief operating officer.

Each year the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow award recognizes one male high school senior or college student who competes in the sport of bowling. Star quality criteria for this award include distinguished bowling performances on the local, state and national levels, as well as academic achievement and community involvement.

The Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow award annually recognizes one female high school senior or college student who competes in the sport of bowling. Distinguished bowling performance on the local, state and national levels, academic achievement and extra-curricular involvement are the star quality criteria for this award.

Qualified applicants for either the Chuck Hall or Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow awards must be current USBC or USBC Youth members in good standing, hold a certified bowling average of 175 or better, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale and be under 22 years of age as of Aug. 1, 2008.

Application forms for all national USBC scholarship opportunities may be downloaded from bowl.com (follow the “Youth” and “Scholarships” links). Paper copies of the applications may be requested by phoning USBC’s SMART Scholarship department at (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3168.
USBC Youth

United States Bowling Congress Youth membership offers fun, exciting opportunities for young people to learn a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime, improve their skills, develop teamwork and leadership abilities, and try for their part of more than $6 million in scholarships awarded to youth bowlers every year.

USBC, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

Many other tournaments will occur/happen throughout the year for the young athlete to compete. The age divisions and handicap system help to level the playing field during competition. The age divisions are as follows:

• Bantam – Up to 8 years old
• Preps – Ages 9 – 11
• Juniors – Ages 12 – 14
• Majors – Ages 15 – 18
• Seniors – Ages 19 – 21

The handicap system in bowling is designed to allow the varied skill levels of the athletes to compete on a level playing field.  A 120 average bowler has the same chance of winning a tournament as a 180 average bowler.

If you’d like to know even more, please download the PDF file here where additional details are covered.

For even more information visit the Dayton Youth Bowling website