High school bowling teams?

[NewToBowling]

Come to find out there are high school bowling teams. Pretty big in midwest.

Here in CO we don't have high school bowling teams. WI seems to have them as they have tournaments that I watch a bit on YouTube.

Pretty interesting I must say

[Aslan]

They still exist...but have suffered alot as the sport has lost popularity, golf gained popularity, and school budgets/funding shrank.

[jab5325]

I bowled on my HS team, and we made it to the Pennsylvania State Championships, finishing 14th out of a field of 30. We were in the hunt for the lead after day one, but on day two, we fell apart and only averaged in the 170s.

Support for HS bowling varies across my state (PA), but many high schools have teams. For example, at my alma mater, weekly practice and weekend games were covered cost wise. However, we had to buy all of our own equipment such as uniforms (polo shirt). Some districts provide uniforms and towels, and others may even charge a bit to participate.

With that said, people are not into it anymore. The local center in my hometown closed, and youth bowling has plummeted. We used to have an awesome youth program with coaches who actually helped students do better. Now, it's mostly kids goofing around who don't show an interest in getting better. Naturally, there seems to be a strong correlation between an area having a strong YABA program and local high schools having bowling teams.

[rv driver]

My school didn't have a bowling team -- and I wish it had! Our little center had great lanes, but there was no pro shop. I took a bowling class in college, and they sort of wanted me to join the bowling team (which was more of a club sport than a varsity/conference sport), but I never did. By then I wanted to concentrate on my major.

[Bradski9]

All of the high schools around southern indiana have HS bowling teams, unfortunately I haven't been able to participate since I am homeschooled. (even though I average higher than half my town's team :/ )

[jab5325]

All of the high schools around southern indiana have HS bowling teams, unfortunately I haven't been able to participate since I am homeschooled. (even though I average higher than half my town's team :/ )

Interesting.

In Pennsylvania, homeschool kids are able to participate in sports/activities in whatever district they live in.

Additionally, by bowling in a sanctioned adult league, a youth would've been ineligible for high school competition.

[Aslan]

In Pennsylvania, homeschool kids are able to participate in sports/activities in whatever district they live in.
That seems fair so long as their parents don't get vouchers and are still paying taxes without deducting the homeschooling on their returns. Otherwise, that seems not so fair.


Additionally, by bowling in a sanctioned adult league, a youth would've been ineligible for high school competition.
Why? A sanctioned league is sanctioend by the USBC. The USBC is not a professional league. So long as amateur bowlers do not accept money, it was my understanding their amateur status would be intact.

Where I'd think they'd run into more of an issue is many adult leagues are 21+ for drinking/alcohol related reasons.

[Bradski9]

Well, in some states homeschoolers are required to send in their grades. Not in Indiana. So if I wanted to bowl high school I would have to go to at least one class locally

[fortheloveofbowling]

Interesting.

In Pennsylvania, homeschool kids are able to participate in sports/activities in whatever district they live in.

Additionally, by bowling in a sanctioned adult league, a youth would've been ineligible for high school competition.

I know that youth bowlers can accept money in the form of scholarships that go in the usbc smart account. I have seen that happen in pba regional competition results. I wonder if a youth could bowl an adult league and have their winnings deposited the same way?

[jab5325]

That seems fair so long as their parents don't get vouchers and are still paying taxes without deducting the homeschooling on their returns. Otherwise, that seems not so fair.


Why? A sanctioned league is sanctioend by the USBC. The USBC is not a professional league. So long as amateur bowlers do not accept money, it was my understanding their amateur status would be intact.

Where I'd think they'd run into more of an issue is many adult leagues are 21+ for drinking/alcohol related reasons.

It had to do with accepting money. The guidance the district gave/gives was that HS bowlers should compete in YABA leagues, and participating in a USBC sanctioned league would result in ineligibility from PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) competition.

I won't debate the wisdom or why behind it......but that's the way it was at the time.

[circlecity]

High School bowling is doing ok here in Middle Tennessee. My daughter will be bowling on the team in about 2 years.

[RobLV1]

A lot of high schools here in Las Vegas have bowling teams. Back when I was a middle school teacher and on the Board of the local USBC Assn., I contacted the school district to offer our services in terms of putting on a clinic for high school bowling coaches. I was very curtly informed that they didn't need any help from us as their bowling coaches already knew how to coach from their experience in coaching other sports such as basketball. I guess there's a special skill set involved in learning how to read the oil pattern on a basketball court. Oh well, we tried!

[foreverincamo]

High school bowling didn't exist when I was in school, but it's doing ok now . There were many more centers open when I was younger, so one center can be the " home court " of 10 different school systems. We had YABA traveling leagues where each center picked an All-Star team from their Saturday youth program. I was on the team all thru high school, and team captain for 2 years.

[foreverincamo]

And I have noticed that high school girl teams are LOUD! Seem to celebrate every single shot some games, especially Baker-style games.

[fortheloveofbowling]

And I have noticed that high school girl teams are LOUD! Seem to celebrate every single shot some games, especially Baker-style games.

Your not kidding about that for sure. You should watch some of the college events, those teams get really loud.