Going from Youth to Adult

[Josch]

I'm planning on going Adult next fall. I'll be in college and I don't see any reasons to remain in Youth. I'm a little unsure how going Adult will work, since I don't turn 18 until early September. Will this cause any issues or will it be okay since payouts aren't until later in the season? How easy is it to find leagues that allow 18 year olds? I'd like to be in a more competitive league and have considered sport and maybe even scratch.

[Mike White]

I'm planning on going Adult next fall. I'll be in college and I don't see any reasons to remain in Youth. I'm a little unsure how going Adult will work, since I don't turn 18 until early September. Will this cause any issues or will it be okay since payouts aren't until later in the season? How easy is it to find leagues that allow 18 year olds? I'd like to be in a more competitive league and have considered sport and maybe even scratch.

Age really isn't the problem with joining an Adult league. You might need to fill out an extra form, thats all.

However if you're just going to college, you might want to hold off joining an adult league until you get educated on the eligibility rules for college sports.

If your school has a bowling team, having bowled in an Adult league may make you ineligible if things aren't handled properly ahead of time.

[Josch]

Age really isn't the problem with joining an Adult league. You might need to fill out an extra form, thats all.

However if you're just going to college, you might want to hold off joining an adult league until you get educated on the eligibility rules for college sports.

If your school has a bowling team, having bowled in an Adult league may make you ineligible if things aren't handled properly ahead of time.

I've checked with the coach and there are no eligibility issues. The only thing that can effect USBC Collegiate eligibility would be joining the PBA.

[jab5325]

Do you bowl for your high school team?

If so, you should contact your high school guidance office to determine if joining a USBC-certified league will affect your high school eligibility. In some states, joining a USBC adult league will require you to do something specific with prize money, or else you'll be rendered ineligible for scholastic competition.

[Josch]

Do you bowl for your high school team?

If so, you should contact your high school guidance office to determine if joining a USBC-certified league will affect your high school eligibility. In some states, joining a USBC adult league will require you to do something specific with prize money, or else you'll be rendered ineligible for scholastic competition.

My high school didn't have a team and I'm done with high school as of last week. Collegiate eligibility won't be an issue either. I'm just worried that not turning 18 until September will cause some sort of issue with joining an adult league.

[Amyers]

Should not be a problem as long as you don't intend on bowling in youth leagues or tournaments anymore.

[Mike White]

I've checked with the coach and there are no eligibility issues. The only thing that can effect USBC Collegiate eligibility would be joining the PBA.

http://www.ncaa.org/amateurism

Prize money above actual and necessary expenses

Adult bowling doesn't eliminate your eligibility to attend college, but it can eliminate your ability to compete in college sports.

[Josch]

http://www.ncaa.org/amateurism

Prize money above actual and necessary expenses

Adult bowling doesn't eliminate your eligibility to attend college, but it can eliminate your ability to compete in college sports.

Bowling isn't an NCAA male sport, so it doesn't apply.

[J Anderson]

My high school didn't have a team and I'm done with high school as of last week. Collegiate eligibility won't be an issue either. I'm just worried that not turning 18 until September will cause some sort of issue with joining an adult league.

I don't think most adult leagues require that you be an adult from a legal perspective in order to bowl. I started in an adult league at 16 and they did have a rule stating you had to be at least 16 years old.