2026 USBC Convention concludes in Reno, Nevada
May 01, 2026
RENO, Nev. – Delegates elected three board members and voted on two legislative proposals at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Convention and Annual Meeting, which concluded Thursday at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino.
The ballot for the USBC Board election had five candidates slated by the USBC Nominating Committee – Cindy Akin of Placerville, California; Glenda Beckett of Palmetto Bay, Florida; Daniel Martin of Wendell, North Carolina; Michael Stevens of Old Bridge, New Jersey; and Cheryl Younger of Leavenworth, Kansas – for three open board positions.
On the first ballot, Stevens (419 votes) and incumbents Younger (383 votes) and Beckett (328 votes) were elected. Akin received 250 votes and Martin received 203. A candidate had to receive a majority of the 562 votes cast to be elected. Stevens, Younger and Beckett will begin serving their three-year terms on Aug. 1, 2026.
Additionally, it was announced that the USBC Board elected Dennis Hacker of Longtown, Missouri, and Matthew Voltz of Fargo, North Dakota, as USBC Board president and vice-president respectively. Team USA athletes reelected Nick Pate of Conway, South Carolina, and elected Steven Badovinac of Parker, Colorado, to the USBC Board.
Hacker, Voltz, Pate and Badovinac will begin their terms Aug. 1, 2026. Hacker and Voltz will serve two-year terms while Pate and Badovinac will serve three-year terms.
Congratulations also are in order for Matt Orvis of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Allen Solomon of Neptune Beach, Florida; and Elizabeth DeWerth of La Vista, Nebraska, who have been reappointed to the USBC Youth Advisory Group, and to Patricia Mauerman of Tremont, Illinois, who was appointed to the same group. All four will begin serving three-year terms on Aug. 1, 2026.
In addition to the board elections, delegates voted on two proposed amendments. The first was a bylaws proposal (national) and the second was a rules proposal (USBC playing rules). Voting results for both proposals are noted at the end of this press release.
In other news, in what is annually a surprise announcement, South Sound USBC was awarded the USBC Association Excellence Award. The presentation of national and youth awards also took place and featured 10 more recipients, including the Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award to Lindsay Greim of Poway, California, and the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow Award to Rush Steen of Waterloo, Iowa.
During his annual Executive Director report, Chad Murphy introduced a new partnership with Canva – a user-friendly online visual communication platform used to create social media graphics, presentations, videos, documents, whiteboards, webpages, posters and other visual content.
This investment by USBC in its state and local associations services includes free access to the Canva Enterprise platform. Canva’s visual suite will allow associations to enhance content, boost productivity, simplify workflows and eliminate design costs through a centralized, easy-to-use platform.
The Canva Enterprise platform features drag-and-drop tools and thousands of templates, making it easy for state and local associations to create professional-quality content without specialized design experience, all at no cost to the associations thanks to USBC’s agreement with Canva.
Murphy also dedicated a portion of his update to recognize several people for their service to the USBC and to the sport of bowling.
A video was played that posthumously recognized the heroic, lifelong dedication of Glenn Allison and Fran Deken, both USBC Hall of Famers, and Michigan’s Roger and Sharon Schildroth. The video highlighted their tremendous efforts, passion, commitment and unwavering support for the sport.
Murphy then called to the stage three individuals for special recognition. Pat Mulqueen, Jim DeGraaf and Gleason Garske were presented with crystal pins in recognition of their unique contributions.
Mulqueen has been involved in the sport for 50 years which includes service on her local board in many leadership roles (including president) and attendance at more than 35 USBC Conventions. DeGraaf’s service also marks 50 years this year as he was elected to his local board in 1976 and was appointed association manager in 1980, a position he still holds today. Garske is a youth bowler who produced a video that has gone viral promoting his inclusive message stating that all kids are “real bowlers” regardless of style, background or ability.
USBC President Dennis Hacker presented his annual report and USBC Managing Directors Mike Larsen and Roger Noordhoek provided business and marketing reports, respectively. The marketing update included news about the introduction of a new 24-hour free bowling channel – Bowling TV – which features replays of PWBA and collegiate action along with historical telecasts. The channel is currently available on platforms like Amazon Prime, Sling TV and Xumo Play.
Delegates also heard updates on USBC brands and programs from several committees, including the Strategic Planning Committee and SMART program.
During Convention week, delegates attended a variety of educational seminars. The agenda also featured presentations from USBC industry and charity partners, including Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), which provides recreational and therapeutic programs and services to America’s active duty and veteran service men and women, and Bowl for the Cure®, the year-round fundraising initiative sponsored by USBC in partnership with Susan G. Komen®.
In 2027, the USBC Convention returns to South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, from May 3-6.
To learn more about the USBC Convention and Annual Meeting, click here.
RESULTS OF 2026 USBC ANNUAL MEETING LEGISLATIVE SESSION
2026 LEGISLATION
Bylaws (two-thirds votes needed)
Bylaws Proposal No. NB 1 – Rejected (142 adopt, 393 reject)
USBC National Bylaws
Article IV, Meetings
Section A. Annual Meeting
Allows for offsite voting at the USBC Annual Meeting
Rules (majority of votes needed)
Rules Proposal No. LR 1 – Rejected (34 adopt, 510 reject)
USBC Playing Rules
Chapter 4, League Rules
Rule 108b, How Established
Requires the player to use the same hand for all first-ball deliveries, but allows the player to use either hand for any second-ball deliveries.
The ballot for the USBC Board election had five candidates slated by the USBC Nominating Committee – Cindy Akin of Placerville, California; Glenda Beckett of Palmetto Bay, Florida; Daniel Martin of Wendell, North Carolina; Michael Stevens of Old Bridge, New Jersey; and Cheryl Younger of Leavenworth, Kansas – for three open board positions.
On the first ballot, Stevens (419 votes) and incumbents Younger (383 votes) and Beckett (328 votes) were elected. Akin received 250 votes and Martin received 203. A candidate had to receive a majority of the 562 votes cast to be elected. Stevens, Younger and Beckett will begin serving their three-year terms on Aug. 1, 2026.
Additionally, it was announced that the USBC Board elected Dennis Hacker of Longtown, Missouri, and Matthew Voltz of Fargo, North Dakota, as USBC Board president and vice-president respectively. Team USA athletes reelected Nick Pate of Conway, South Carolina, and elected Steven Badovinac of Parker, Colorado, to the USBC Board.
Hacker, Voltz, Pate and Badovinac will begin their terms Aug. 1, 2026. Hacker and Voltz will serve two-year terms while Pate and Badovinac will serve three-year terms.
Congratulations also are in order for Matt Orvis of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Allen Solomon of Neptune Beach, Florida; and Elizabeth DeWerth of La Vista, Nebraska, who have been reappointed to the USBC Youth Advisory Group, and to Patricia Mauerman of Tremont, Illinois, who was appointed to the same group. All four will begin serving three-year terms on Aug. 1, 2026.
In addition to the board elections, delegates voted on two proposed amendments. The first was a bylaws proposal (national) and the second was a rules proposal (USBC playing rules). Voting results for both proposals are noted at the end of this press release.
In other news, in what is annually a surprise announcement, South Sound USBC was awarded the USBC Association Excellence Award. The presentation of national and youth awards also took place and featured 10 more recipients, including the Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award to Lindsay Greim of Poway, California, and the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow Award to Rush Steen of Waterloo, Iowa.
During his annual Executive Director report, Chad Murphy introduced a new partnership with Canva – a user-friendly online visual communication platform used to create social media graphics, presentations, videos, documents, whiteboards, webpages, posters and other visual content.
This investment by USBC in its state and local associations services includes free access to the Canva Enterprise platform. Canva’s visual suite will allow associations to enhance content, boost productivity, simplify workflows and eliminate design costs through a centralized, easy-to-use platform.
The Canva Enterprise platform features drag-and-drop tools and thousands of templates, making it easy for state and local associations to create professional-quality content without specialized design experience, all at no cost to the associations thanks to USBC’s agreement with Canva.
Murphy also dedicated a portion of his update to recognize several people for their service to the USBC and to the sport of bowling.
A video was played that posthumously recognized the heroic, lifelong dedication of Glenn Allison and Fran Deken, both USBC Hall of Famers, and Michigan’s Roger and Sharon Schildroth. The video highlighted their tremendous efforts, passion, commitment and unwavering support for the sport.
Murphy then called to the stage three individuals for special recognition. Pat Mulqueen, Jim DeGraaf and Gleason Garske were presented with crystal pins in recognition of their unique contributions.
Mulqueen has been involved in the sport for 50 years which includes service on her local board in many leadership roles (including president) and attendance at more than 35 USBC Conventions. DeGraaf’s service also marks 50 years this year as he was elected to his local board in 1976 and was appointed association manager in 1980, a position he still holds today. Garske is a youth bowler who produced a video that has gone viral promoting his inclusive message stating that all kids are “real bowlers” regardless of style, background or ability.
USBC President Dennis Hacker presented his annual report and USBC Managing Directors Mike Larsen and Roger Noordhoek provided business and marketing reports, respectively. The marketing update included news about the introduction of a new 24-hour free bowling channel – Bowling TV – which features replays of PWBA and collegiate action along with historical telecasts. The channel is currently available on platforms like Amazon Prime, Sling TV and Xumo Play.
Delegates also heard updates on USBC brands and programs from several committees, including the Strategic Planning Committee and SMART program.
During Convention week, delegates attended a variety of educational seminars. The agenda also featured presentations from USBC industry and charity partners, including Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), which provides recreational and therapeutic programs and services to America’s active duty and veteran service men and women, and Bowl for the Cure®, the year-round fundraising initiative sponsored by USBC in partnership with Susan G. Komen®.
In 2027, the USBC Convention returns to South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, from May 3-6.
To learn more about the USBC Convention and Annual Meeting, click here.
RESULTS OF 2026 USBC ANNUAL MEETING LEGISLATIVE SESSION
2026 LEGISLATION
Bylaws (two-thirds votes needed)
Bylaws Proposal No. NB 1 – Rejected (142 adopt, 393 reject)
USBC National Bylaws
Article IV, Meetings
Section A. Annual Meeting
Allows for offsite voting at the USBC Annual Meeting
Rules (majority of votes needed)
Rules Proposal No. LR 1 – Rejected (34 adopt, 510 reject)
USBC Playing Rules
Chapter 4, League Rules
Rule 108b, How Established
Requires the player to use the same hand for all first-ball deliveries, but allows the player to use either hand for any second-ball deliveries.