Special museum exhibit to focus on The National Bowling Association
01/07/10
Among the most historically and culturally important exhibits in the new International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame will be one on The National Bowling Association.
Located in a cove within the tournaments section of the Arlington, Texas, facility, the exhibit will not only tell the story of the TNBA but also show its more than 60-year history in pictures.
"What's in this exhibit hits the mark," said Dr. Michael Boykins (pictured left), TNBA's current president. "It will be an honor for TNBA to deliver this detailed information to the bowling world on such a prestigious stage."
The exhibit will feature two panels - one about the organization's history and structure, the other its major milestones.
TNBA is an organization started by a group of African-American bowlers denied the opportunity to bowl in certain tournaments and bowling centers. To have bowling leagues in the early 20th century, African-Americans relied on churches, the YMCA and community centers. Some establishments event posted signs saying "closed for private party" to allow African-Americans to bowl.
Until 1950, American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress rules restricted membership only to Caucasians. However, this did not deter African-Americans from competing in tenpin bowling.
In August 1939, a group of men and women from Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit and Toledo gathered in Detroit to establish the National Negro Bowling Association. Later renamed The National Bowling Association and nicknamed TNBA, the fledgling organization almost immediately began to change the face of bowling.
Instituting and winning court victories against discrimination in the sport, TNBA paved the way for more African Americans to pursue their love of bowling. As the membership rapidly increased, TNBA soon emerged as the country's largest African American organized sports organization which now boasts more than 40,000 members of all backgrounds, colors and creeds. All are members of the United States Bowling Congress.
TNBA is organized into Senates representing bowlers in 115 U.S. cities and communities. The family-oriented Senates compete locally. The season culminates with the National Convention and TNBA Week, a 10-day event featuring bowling and special festivities.
During TNBA Week, members celebrate several unique traditions including the annual King and Queen Coronation Ball and the Bill Rhodman Memorial Classic Championship Roll-Off.
William (Bill) Rhodman was a member of the Allen Supermarket team, the first African-American team to bowl in an ABC National Tournament. In his honor, the TNBA hosts the Rhodman Memorial Classic Championship Roll-Off each year.
Eight regional tournaments and two national events lead up to final showdown during TNBA Week. From the hundreds who start, 12 finalists take part in the grand event, three bowlers from each of TNBA's four regions (Western, Eastern, Central, Southern).
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Campus Spotlight
Among the most historically and culturally important exhibits in the new International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame will be one on The National Bowling Association.Located in a cove within the tournaments section of the Arlington, Texas, facility, the exhibit will not only tell the story of the TNBA but also show its more than 60-year history in pictures.
"What's in this exhibit hits the mark," said Dr. Michael Boykins (pictured left), TNBA's current president. "It will be an honor for TNBA to deliver this detailed information to the bowling world on such a prestigious stage."
The exhibit will feature two panels - one about the organization's history and structure, the other its major milestones.
TNBA is an organization started by a group of African-American bowlers denied the opportunity to bowl in certain tournaments and bowling centers. To have bowling leagues in the early 20th century, African-Americans relied on churches, the YMCA and community centers. Some establishments event posted signs saying "closed for private party" to allow African-Americans to bowl.Until 1950, American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress rules restricted membership only to Caucasians. However, this did not deter African-Americans from competing in tenpin bowling.
In August 1939, a group of men and women from Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit and Toledo gathered in Detroit to establish the National Negro Bowling Association. Later renamed The National Bowling Association and nicknamed TNBA, the fledgling organization almost immediately began to change the face of bowling.
Instituting and winning court victories against discrimination in the sport, TNBA paved the way for more African Americans to pursue their love of bowling. As the membership rapidly increased, TNBA soon emerged as the country's largest African American organized sports organization which now boasts more than 40,000 members of all backgrounds, colors and creeds. All are members of the United States Bowling Congress.TNBA is organized into Senates representing bowlers in 115 U.S. cities and communities. The family-oriented Senates compete locally. The season culminates with the National Convention and TNBA Week, a 10-day event featuring bowling and special festivities.
During TNBA Week, members celebrate several unique traditions including the annual King and Queen Coronation Ball and the Bill Rhodman Memorial Classic Championship Roll-Off.
William (Bill) Rhodman was a member of the Allen Supermarket team, the first African-American team to bowl in an ABC National Tournament. In his honor, the TNBA hosts the Rhodman Memorial Classic Championship Roll-Off each year.
Eight regional tournaments and two national events lead up to final showdown during TNBA Week. From the hundreds who start, 12 finalists take part in the grand event, three bowlers from each of TNBA's four regions (Western, Eastern, Central, Southern).
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Museum's Jack Reichert Education and Learning Center will help educate people of all ages about bowling
Museum's 'Bowling Reaches Out' section honors special groups, people
Inside the ITRC with Rod Ross and Kim Terrell-Kearney
Excitement of today's bowling highlights Museum's modern era section
USBC Coaching expertise to grow through use of ITRC
Museum Theatre will transition visitors from historic to modern times
Inside the ITRC with USBC Technical Director Steve Kloempken
Museum's history section shows bowling from beginnings into 1900s
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