Could a proprietor make a good President of USBC Board of Directors? By Dick Evans
03/20/07
Former BPAA President Jeff Boje, a proprietor with bowling in his blood, could bring a new perspective if elected President of USBC Board of Directors in Nashville.
Over the years, there have been some great bowling proprietors who either owned or managed bowling centers across South Florida.
The names of people like brothers Ben and Max Booke, Jim Facente Sr., George Swanson, Don Carter, Hazel Daniel, Joe Schumacker and even former boxing promoter Chris Dundee pop into my mind.
Still, I never envisioned any of them being elected president of the membership organizations -- the old American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress.
Yes, any would have made a good president of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (a position Schumacker now holds) but not president of the membership organizations that boasted 8.5 million members back in 1982.
But times have been changing quickly in bowling and now there is a definite possibility that proprietor Jeff Boje, the immediate past president of the BPAA, could be elected president of the United States Bowling Congress' Board of Directors.
Don't laugh, it could happen during the USBC's National Convention in Nashville, Tenn., March 28-31.
Jerry Walters, president of the Broward County USBC Association, was asked how she would feel about a proprietor leading the USBC and she replied: "I would hope that if this happened it would be someone who appreciated the game and the bowlers."
Jeff Boje would fit her criteria.
He was taught to bowl at an early age, has bowled in up to three sanctioned leagues a week and achieved a 200 average despite a busy schedule. They say he has bowling in his blood and that why his father and two sisters have entrusted him to lead their growing bowling business.
His father built a bowling center in St. Louis way back in 1959 and they still own it. They also own a bowling center in the Greater Tampa area and are in the process of building another center in the same general area.
More important from the USBC standpoint, Jeff Boje is a big booster of sanctioning leagues.
"Both of my current centers are very heavily league dominated," he said. "Our certified league bowler per lane count is among the highest in the country as verified by the USBC. My Tampa center is among the top 50 in the nation."
It would be historic if Jeff Boje is elected, it also could be smart. He would bring a breath of fresh to a membership organization that is steep in ABC/WIBC tradition but short on positive results the past 25 years.
"I really don't believe this election is about me," Boje said. "The Board members of the USBC have a choice. They can either cling to the women versus men, proprietors versus members thing or they can choose to address the real issues 'that are facing the bowling industry.' I am not bound by structure because I did not come from within the old structure. Understanding the problem is the first step in solving it."
Like the world itself, the bowling world has become smaller and closer and the election of Jeff Boje could be a giant step for the entire industry.
Win or lose, Jeff Boje said "I am committed to doing my best for bowling irrespective of my title."
I first became aware that Jeff Boje was a special proprietor and human being while listening to his inspiring talk before he took office as president of the BPAA in Las Vegas almost three years ago. He told a story about life problems and not bowling problems and it grabbed me because it was different that any bowling speech I had ever heard.
After getting to know him, I am convinced that he is a man who is not afflicted with such deadly human diseases as inflated ego, lifetime grudges, personal agenda and 'protecting his turf."
For years, everybody has been saying that bowling desperately needs young blood and also people who are willing to think outside the proverbial bowling box.
Boje has youth going for him, he even has a bunch of young kids. He loves bowling almost as much as he loves his family and that is why he running for the position as USBC president.
The only reason he considered running for president of the USBC Board is because "I do believe I can make a difference. If I didn't, I wouldn't be running. If elected, my focus will be on governing the USBC Board and keeping our eyes set on what must be accomplished for the good of bowling."
Notice he did not say for the good of the USBC or even the BPAA, but more important 'for the good of bowling.'
"I come from a totally different perspective. I am one of the most results oriented people you will ever meet. I don't know if I have the magic answers for things like getting bowling proprietors to certify all of their bowlers or to bring women's bowling back to center stage. However, I do know that I understand the issues from a great many perspectives, not the least of which is the real world business view."
Jeff Boje is the real deal. Does he have a real chance to win? He may be a longshot, but I wouldn't bet against him.
Email address: [email protected]
Column
Former BPAA President Jeff Boje, a proprietor with bowling in his blood, could bring a new perspective if elected President of USBC Board of Directors in Nashville. Over the years, there have been some great bowling proprietors who either owned or managed bowling centers across South Florida.
The names of people like brothers Ben and Max Booke, Jim Facente Sr., George Swanson, Don Carter, Hazel Daniel, Joe Schumacker and even former boxing promoter Chris Dundee pop into my mind.
Still, I never envisioned any of them being elected president of the membership organizations -- the old American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress.
Yes, any would have made a good president of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (a position Schumacker now holds) but not president of the membership organizations that boasted 8.5 million members back in 1982.
But times have been changing quickly in bowling and now there is a definite possibility that proprietor Jeff Boje, the immediate past president of the BPAA, could be elected president of the United States Bowling Congress' Board of Directors.
Don't laugh, it could happen during the USBC's National Convention in Nashville, Tenn., March 28-31.
Jerry Walters, president of the Broward County USBC Association, was asked how she would feel about a proprietor leading the USBC and she replied: "I would hope that if this happened it would be someone who appreciated the game and the bowlers."
Jeff Boje would fit her criteria.
He was taught to bowl at an early age, has bowled in up to three sanctioned leagues a week and achieved a 200 average despite a busy schedule. They say he has bowling in his blood and that why his father and two sisters have entrusted him to lead their growing bowling business.
His father built a bowling center in St. Louis way back in 1959 and they still own it. They also own a bowling center in the Greater Tampa area and are in the process of building another center in the same general area.
More important from the USBC standpoint, Jeff Boje is a big booster of sanctioning leagues.
"Both of my current centers are very heavily league dominated," he said. "Our certified league bowler per lane count is among the highest in the country as verified by the USBC. My Tampa center is among the top 50 in the nation."
It would be historic if Jeff Boje is elected, it also could be smart. He would bring a breath of fresh to a membership organization that is steep in ABC/WIBC tradition but short on positive results the past 25 years.
"I really don't believe this election is about me," Boje said. "The Board members of the USBC have a choice. They can either cling to the women versus men, proprietors versus members thing or they can choose to address the real issues 'that are facing the bowling industry.' I am not bound by structure because I did not come from within the old structure. Understanding the problem is the first step in solving it."
Like the world itself, the bowling world has become smaller and closer and the election of Jeff Boje could be a giant step for the entire industry.
Win or lose, Jeff Boje said "I am committed to doing my best for bowling irrespective of my title."
I first became aware that Jeff Boje was a special proprietor and human being while listening to his inspiring talk before he took office as president of the BPAA in Las Vegas almost three years ago. He told a story about life problems and not bowling problems and it grabbed me because it was different that any bowling speech I had ever heard.
After getting to know him, I am convinced that he is a man who is not afflicted with such deadly human diseases as inflated ego, lifetime grudges, personal agenda and 'protecting his turf."
For years, everybody has been saying that bowling desperately needs young blood and also people who are willing to think outside the proverbial bowling box.
Boje has youth going for him, he even has a bunch of young kids. He loves bowling almost as much as he loves his family and that is why he running for the position as USBC president.
The only reason he considered running for president of the USBC Board is because "I do believe I can make a difference. If I didn't, I wouldn't be running. If elected, my focus will be on governing the USBC Board and keeping our eyes set on what must be accomplished for the good of bowling."
Notice he did not say for the good of the USBC or even the BPAA, but more important 'for the good of bowling.'
"I come from a totally different perspective. I am one of the most results oriented people you will ever meet. I don't know if I have the magic answers for things like getting bowling proprietors to certify all of their bowlers or to bring women's bowling back to center stage. However, I do know that I understand the issues from a great many perspectives, not the least of which is the real world business view."
Jeff Boje is the real deal. Does he have a real chance to win? He may be a longshot, but I wouldn't bet against him.
Email address: [email protected]
Â