Being a team captain at the USBC Open Championships takes hard work and dedication.

Captains must be well-organized and willing to serve as the team's leader, recruiter, accountant, courier and even travel agent.

This year, the Open Championships is being held at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., for the second consecutive year, marking the first time a city has held back-to-back events. With this in mind, USBC challenged team captains to help make the unprecedented return a memorable one.

In order to reward and recognize team captains for their hard work, USBC and the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority formed an exclusive club, THE USBC EAGLE'S NEST.

The Eagle's Nest includes more than 5,900 captains, who brought teams to Reno in 2010 and have signed up to return in 2011, while some went above and beyond, registering four or more teams.

In all, 200 captains have earned "Super Captain" status. Let's meet one now:

Captain: Alan Zabransky

Hometown: Streamwood, Ill.

Age: 48

Number of teams: Four

Date and time of team event: May 12 (2:30 p.m.)

Open Championships appearances (through 2010): nine

Favorite host city: Baton Rouge, La.

Best Open Championships memory: the first time I walked down Center Aisle

My favorite part of the Open Championships experience is: seeing the look on a first timer's face when they enter the center for the first time.

I am a team captain because: I like the job.

The thing I am most looking forward to about the 2011 tournament is: a chance to do better than last time

Favorite place to stay in Reno: Silver Legacy

Three favorite things to do in Reno when not bowling: 1. The Forty Frame Game; 2. golf; 3. gambling

If you only had five minutes to recruit a new bowler, how would you sell the Open Championships: This is one thing you HAVE to do.