USBC High School Spokesperson Carolyn Dorin-Ballard

Residence: North Richland Hills, Texas

Birthday: July 29, 1964

Husband: Del Ballard, Jr. is a 12-time PBA champion, including the 1988 Masters title

Daughter: Alyssa was born March 19, 2004

Started bowling at age 6

Bowled for: West Texas State University (renamed West Texas A&M University) ...

Member of Brunswick and Dexter pro staffs

Professional bowler since 1990

Carolyn Dorin-Ballard was named the official spokesperson for High School Bowling in March 2002. The 2001 Professional Women’s Bowling Association Player of the Year has had a distinguished bowling career that dates back to her childhood growing up in New Jersey. Before achieving bowling success at the collegiate and professional levels, Dorin-Ballard was a standout bowler at Linden High School in Linden, N.J.

Following her scholastic years, Dorin-Ballard moved on to West Texas State University (now known as West Texas A&M), where she earned All-American honors three straight seasons from 1987-89. She also led her team to back-to-back Intercollegiate Bowling Championships titles in 1987 and 1988.

Dorin-Ballard's collegiate success has parlayed into a successful career in the professional ranks. A professional bowler since 1990, she has won 21 titles, including the 2007 PBA Women's Series Motor City Classic and the 2001 USBC Queens. She also was runnerup in the 2007 U.S. Women's Open, a USBC event.

In her successful 2001 campaign, she won seven titles to tie Patty Costello's 1976 record for the most professional womens bowling titles won in a single season. She was also selected as the Bowlers Journal International Person of the Year and was named Player of the Year by the Bowling Writers Association of America, Bowling Digest and the New Jersey Sports Writers Association.

In addition to serving as the USBC High School spokesperson, Dorin-Ballard remains active in all aspects of bowling. She actively is competing at high levels and is director of development for the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America Foundation and a coach in BPAA's Coach-It-Up program. She also is a member of the professional staffs of Brunswick Recreation Centers and Dexter.

Honors

• 2001 PWBA, BWAA Bowling Digest and New Jersey Sports Writers Player of the Year
• 2001 Bowlers Journal International Person of the Year
• 2001 ESPY nominee for Bowler of the Year
• 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 Bowlers Journal International All-American
• 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 USBC Women's All-American
• 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 runner-up PWBA Player of the Year
• Set WIBC Queens average record at 231 in 1995
• 2001 WIBC Queens champion
• Won WIBC Women's Championships All-Events in 2000; Team in 2001 and 2006
• Set doubles record with partner Lynda Barnes at WIBC Women's Championships in 2004 (1,498)
• 1989 Intercollegiate Bowling Championships MVP
• 1989, 1988, 1987 College All-American
• Won back-to-back national titles at 1987 and 1988 Intercollegiate Bowling Championships
  

Why I Believe in High School Bowling, by Carolyn Dorin-Ballard

I enjoy being the USBC High School spokesperson because I came from such a successful high school program in New Jersey ( Linden High School). Our team had tremendous support from the community including the school, parents, businesses, bowling center proprietors and friends. I want to work toward that for all high school bowling teams.

High school bowling is a stepping-stone to go on to college bowling. I wasn't the strongest student or the strongest bowler when I was in high school. College wasn't even something I was sure I wanted to do, but I figured that if I could pair up bowling with college then together they would be fun.

I ended up going to West Texas State University (now known as West Texas A&M). Studying and bowling at a college level made me work harder at both. I was forced to step up. I believe that bowling and academics go hand-in-hand: if you bowl well, you can earn scholarships for your education. I'm even trying to set up my own bowling scholarship, which will be awarded to students who are well-rounded - bowlers who have a good academic background along with extracurricular activities and community service.

As USBC High School spokesperson, I'm also trying to send the message to bowling proprietors that high school bowling programs are very valuable because they build lifelong bowlers. High school bowlers are the future of the sport.