HOF launches Hometown Heroics campaign

RENO, Nev. – The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame has launched a $125,000 capital campaign to redesign and re-construct its most popular exhibit, Hometown Heroics.

The kiosk-style database features 300 games and 800 series rolled by United States Bowling Congress members and the names of local and state hall of famers. Plans call for the exhibit's hall of fame section to be expanded to include biographies and photos of individual hall of famers. And since the database would be shared with USBC, all the data collected will be available in one record. Best of all, local association officials will be able to directly input information into the database. Once entered, the information will be available to any search Internet engine.

“We're really excited about the expansion of local and state halls of fame,” said IBM/HF President and Chairman of the Board Keith Hamilton said. “We want to include as much as possible on those individual members. I think that would go a long way in just recognizing these people.”

Hamilton kicked off the campaign at the USBC Convention in Reno, Nev., with a $500 pledge on behalf of Luby Publishing. Several association leaders then came forward to make pledges while Hamilton still was on stage presenting to the 1,000 delegates in attendance.

USBC Hall of Famer Elaine Hagin made the initial donation with a personal pledge of $500. USBC associations that quickly followed included the Metro Detroit USBC ($1,000), North Carolina USBC ($600) and the Great Plains (Kan.), Michigan State Youth and Colorado State USBCs ($500 each). USBC Hall of Famer Jeff Richgels, who operates the 11th Frame Website, announced he will donate the greater of $500 or 10 percent of his USBC Open Championships winnings. The Kansas State USBC Women's Bowling Association said it will contribute an amount to be determined and just days later, the Rockford (Ill.) USBC Bowling Association pledged $1,000.

“We want to thank the associations and individuals who announced their pledges at and right after the USBC Convention,” Hamilton said. “Thanks to their generosity, we have started on the road to something that will truly be special for everyone in the industry.”

Hamilton said those who donate $500 or more will be recognized on a scrolling screen in the Hometown Heroics itself in both the main IBM/HF facility in Arlington, Texas, and satellite museum in Reno. Advertisements will be placed in Luby Publishing's Bowler's Journal magazine thanking and acknowledging those who have donated funds.

For more information or to make a donation, visit bowlingmuseum.com.