Sport of bowling takes center stage in Kansas City

After seeing 16 of the top tournament champions of 2007 and hearing their president outline a successful past and bright future, United States Bowling Congress Convention delegates should definitely know they are part of a sport.

That was the major theme as the 2008 Convention kicked off Wednesday at the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium. The 90-minute session was highlighted by a rousing introduction of the 16 players competing in Thursday's taping of the inaugural Clash of Champions. The made-for-television event features the winners of 2007 USBC individual events plus the men's and women's U.S. Opens.

Clash of Champions competitors were introduced to Convention delegates.

If that didn't put the crowd in a sporting mood, USBC President Jeff Bojé's 10-minute talk while walking in the middle of the four specially-installed lanes on the floor of the 10,500-seat arena should have.

"Being a champion and being inspired by champions is what bowling and the United States Bowling Congress is all about," said Bojé. "When you join USBC and pay your dues, you are helping something that is bigger than you. You support and take part in something that is a part of your life. You support teaching young people to get better at bowling and to be the future champions. Be proud of what you have accomplished."

USBC President Jeff Bojé made opening remarks on Wednesday.

To emphasize his point, Bojé cited some impressive recent statistics around the sport:

• Bowling is the fastest growing high school sport in America with more than 45 states supporting varsity or club bowling and 2,400 schools teaching 1 million students a year how to bowl as part of physical education classes.
• Television is playing an increasing role in promoting the sport. The return of the U.S. Women's Open, continuation of the USBC Masters, moving the USBC Queens to a live telecast in 2007 and the June airings of the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships on CBS College Sports were cited as recent examples.
• Homes watching the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association Tour increased 5 percent in the season that ended in March.
• Participation by bowlers age 6-13, 14-17, 18-24 and 45-54 increased in 2007 over 2006.

All of that prompted Bojé to say several times "bowling is back."
"When you win your league championship, when you win your city championship, when you win your state championship, you are a champion," Bojé said. "That's what bowling is all about.

"In a couple of days, there will be people watching the Clash who will say 'I can do that. I can be that champion. I want to be part of that."

Following Bojé's speech, local and state associations were honored for contributions they raised for the Bowlers to Veterans Link and International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.

Top contributors to the Bowlers to Veterans Link

• Nation's Capital Area USBC - local associations - $21,000
• California - state associations - $204,612.51

Top association contributors to the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame:

• Vicksburg (Miss.) USBC Women's Bowling Association - largest contribution by local associations on a membership basis - $4.27 a member.
• Greater Cincinnati USBC WBA - top local association contributor - $1,600.
• Oregon State USBC WBA - top state association contributor - $3,898.02.

As part of the IBM/HF presentation, Executive Director Jerry Baltz said the organization's board of directors should decide by the end of the month whether to accept an offer to join USBC and the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America as part of the new International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, or be part of the Ballpark Village project in downtown St. Louis.

The Convention continues Thursday with seminars and workshops during the day at the Westin Crown Plaza Hotel preceding the Clash of Champions taping at night. The Class of Champions will air on CBS Sports on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. Eastern and Sunday from 4-5 p.m. Eastern.