Rudy Giuliani's speech sets the tone for a harmonious BPAA Convention that brought the Bowling Industry closer together

By Dick Evans

Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, was the perfect keynote speaker for the 2006 Convention of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America at the Hilton Hotel June 28.

Giuliani (pictured right), a possible presidential candidate in 2008, talked about how leaders should deal with adversity and he should know after the way he responded to the terrorist attacks in 2001. He gave six points that leaders must have: 1. Strong beliefs with a definite goal. 2. Optimism where you dream of better things. 3. Courage and that does not mean being fearless but what you do with fear. 4. Relentless preparation so you can cope with the unexpected. 5. Teamwork where you recognize your strengths and weaknesses and hire people to help you with your weaker points. 6. Communications and the ability to know what you are talking about. Then he added another belief, "You must love people." After sitting in on a harmonious and unified BPAA Convention I flew back home thinking that Rudy Giuliani had outlined the traits of leaders who are determined to make bowling a viable sport again. I heard Fred Schreyer, President and Commissioner, of the Professional Bowlers Association praise, the cooperation the PBA has been receiving from Strike Ten, the United States Bowling Congress and the BPAA leaders. I heard outgoing BPAA President Jeff Boje almost echo those same words about the other organizations and Michael Carroll, president of the USBC, was on the same page when he took center stage. Even when Superman swooped into the auditorium, he (Frank DeSocio) talked about teamwork, dreams and goals. And for once, I felt it was not just talk — they were words of wisdom from wise men who knew that divided the bowling industry will continue to wither but together the bowling industry will thrive again. Like Giuliani said — there was optimism, courage, communications, teamwork, strong beliefs, common goals and relentless preparation in that gathering of about 2,000 bowling officials. Even the Bowling Writers Association of America got into the act in its own small way. The dissenters mellowed when the membership voted to merge with the National Women's Bowling Writers and the first combined BWAA convention will be held next June in conjunction with the BPAA Convention in Las Vegas. The writers were fortunate enough to sit in on interviews with Giuliani, Ed McMahon and Jerome Bettis, which were arranged by BPAA Executive Director John Berglund. McMahon apparently is a big bowling fan. He said on stage "I love bowlers and bowling" and later told the press that he has five children, six grandchildren and a 17-year-old niece he is helping to raise and knows all about bowling birthday parties and bumper bowling. Speaking of bumpers, it was hard not to bump into a celebrity or old friend during BowlExpo in the Las Vegas Convention Center. I bumped into John McCoy, founder of NABI, and we got into such a long conversation about bowling and horse racing that I missed a USBC press conference I had planned to attend. And then there was Hall of Famer Dave Davis coming over to the BWAA booth and autographing an old bowling book that was being auctioned off. We became good friends when we both lived in Miami. Not far behind was fellow Hall of Famer Mike Aulby, who is a steady customer at the BWAA's silent auction to raise funds for the Chuck Pezzano scholarship that is given to a bowler who wants to take communications courses in college. Below you will find news items that grabbed my attention during the BPAA Convention. They are printed in no particular order:
Generations Tour
Steve Sanders (right), president of Pinacle Events which produces the Mini- Eliminator Tournament, announced a 36-week Generation Bowling Tour for bowlers — men and women — 50 and over. The eight week fall tour kicks off in Bay City, Mich., Sept. 29-Oct. 5 and will conclude its swing Nov. 17-21 in East Providence, R.I. Competition will be divided into two divisions — 50-59 and 60 and over, which should create a great deal of interest in the Generation Tour. If entries live up to expectations, the total prize fund for the 2006-07 season could reach $5 million. After listening to Sanders, I believe that this will be more like a three- ring circus than a typical bowling tournament. It has a little of everything and a lot of bowling.
Million-Dollars Barnes
Chris Barnes, who won just under $400,000 after winning twice in the United States and one in Europe since April, signed a million-dollar contract with the Columbia Bowling Ball Company in San Antonio, The deal covers eight years so you can add $125,000 to the Texan's earnings each year on the PBA tour. The first million-dollar bowler was Don Carter and the second was Earl Anthony. Both were Ebonite deals. Believe it or not, Carter's deal came in the early 1960s and was labeled the first million dollar sports deal over a 10-year period.
Women Returning To TV
Sixteen women bowlers from around the world will be part of a special five night bowling show on ESPN2 that will be called the USBC Women's Challenge. The United States Bowling Congress will act as the umbrella sponsor for the tournament and telecasts, which will be filmed Aug. 29-31 at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas as part of National Bowling Week. The 90-minute TV shows developed by Gary Beck (pictured) of Killer 'B' Promotions, are expected to feature top bowlers who are in top shape and appearing in fashionable bowling outfits. Knowing Beck, I can almost guarantee it will be a revolutionary bowling show. The telecasts will run for five straight Mondays beginning Sept. 11 at 9:30 p.m.
Golden Ladies Classic
Founder Jeanette Robinson was passing out flyers for her 17th Golden Ladies Classic for bowlers 50 and over. It will be held March 5-8 at The Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas. Entry fee is $150. Call Jeanette at 1/888-365-7111 (ext. 6442) to enter. I can't guarantee you any prize money, but I can guarantee you will have fun with a great format and friendly rivals.
PBA's 2006-07 Tour Schedule
At the PBA booth they were handing out schedules for the 21-tour stops next season. The USBC Masters will kick off the fall division of the tour with a Major tournament featuring pro and league bowlers in Milwaukee Oct. 24-29. The fall tour closes with a Dec. 17 telecast from West Babylon, N.Y. The winter division starts in Reno at the National Bowling Stadium Jan. 7 and concludes April 1 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Ct., April 1. For the first time in a couple years, the PBA tour will return Jan. 28 to Las Vegas, where the tournaments at the old Showboat Hotel helped make the tour popular. This time the tournament will be held at Sunset Station. Two of the great PBA names — Earl Anthony and Dick Weber — once again will be honored by tournaments carrying their names. The PBA did not release the ESPN television times or any of the corporate sponsors.
Building the Business of Bowling Together
Finally, there were scads of papers and brochures and magazines to be read but the one that caught my attention was the USBC's "Building the Business of Bowling Together". I liked the word TOGETHER because this was what this BPAA Convention was all about and I also liked the magazine's pictures and stories. I came away with the impression that I was being informed and not promoted. The only sour taste left in my mouth at the convention was a sheet I came across stating "Is a smoking ban threatening your business?" It certainly wasn't a threat at a great 2006 BPAA Convention and Bowl Expo. The final hand of applause should go to the BVL's touring group "Re- Creation" — they were entertaining and harmonious just like the convention. Email address: [email protected]