USBC to award new lapel pins for two achievements in 2011-12 
For the 2011-12 season, USBC has created two special lapel pins to recognize adult members who shoot a specified number of Pins Over Average in a game or series.

For the game award, bowlers must roll a game that is 75 or more pins over their average. To receive the series lapel pin, bowlers must bowl at least 140 pins over their average.

The new lapel pins are not the only changes for the 2011-12 season. The ring awarded to USBC members who roll a 300 game, 800 series and 900 series will have a new look. USBC also has revised the requirements for Adult Awards earned under USBC Playing Rules 51a(2) and 51b(2).

To view the revised requirements for next season, please click here.

USBC Youth jerseys will have a new look  
Youth bowlers soon will sport a cool new look on the lanes with the latest eye-catching USBC Youth jersey. Jerseys are a member benefit in certified USBC Youth Standard leagues. International Bowling Campus Director of Youth Development Chad Murphy said the new design will appeal to teenagers and be exciting for younger bowlers as well.

The new jerseys also include logos from two of bowling's top ball brands. Storm is represented on the left sleeve and Ebonite on the right sleeve. The new design features red, blue and black colors on the athletic jersey.

USBC Youth Standard memberships purchased after March 15, 2011, will receive the jersey and Adult Leaders can go to the USBC SuperStore on BOWL.com to purchase their jerseys for $20.

To view the new Youth jersey, please click here.

USBC Rulebook is now available for mobile devices
When a rules question arises on the lanes, bowlers can have the answer right at their fingertips.

The USBC 2010-11 Playing Rules book now is available to download to mobile devices. Mobile device platforms that will be able to access the Playing Rules include the iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone, Android and Kindle.

For step-by-step instructions on how to access the rulebook on any of the devices, go to BOWL.com/rulebook or click here.

The Bowling Combine to connect bowlers and college coaches  
A program designed to bring together youth bowlers who want to compete at the collegiate level, and college coaches seeking players for their programs, will take place Aug. 10-11, 2011, at the International Training and Research Center.

The Bowling Combine for College Prospects is a two-day event in which young bowlers will be evaluated using today's most objective standards and college coaches will attend to analyze potential fit of the student-athletes for their programs.

The Combine is open to bowlers who have collegiate eligibility remaining and have completed at least their sophomore year in high school. Space is limited.

To learn more about the program and for applications, visit BOWL.com/combine.

Book now to get special hotel rates for Convention 
The Gaylord Texan is the host hotel for the 2011 USBC Convention and you can get a discounted room rate if you book by May 25.

The reservation code for the Gaylord Texan is A-BWX11; once you enter the reservation code, you MUST refresh the browser to get the $159/night rate. This rate is for single or double occupancy but the hotel will charge $20/night extra for each additional person beyond the first two.

Go to BOWL.com/convention for complete information about this year’s convention.

Ohio high school to receive grant through YES Fund program 
Bryan High School in Bryan, Ohio, which started a bowling program for the 2010-11 season, has been selected to receive a $2,500 grant through the Youth Education Services (YES) Fund High School Grant Program.

The High School Grant Program provides assistance to bowling programs that have a financial need because of budget cuts or other changes, and to schools that request funding to start a new program. The program, administered by the International Bowling Campus High School department, can award up to four $2,500 grants a year.

The YES Fund is a joint initiative of the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America and USBC. Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, 900 Global, Hammer, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track are founding partners and provided key support to start the YES Fund.

To read about how Bryan High School was selected and for more information about the YES Fund grant program, please click here.

Dates, locations for 2012 events announced 
The dates and locations for several major bowling events in 2012, including the USBC Convention, the Masters, USBC Queens, Bowling's U.S. Women's Open and other top events have been set.

The USBC Convention is scheduled for April 25-28 in Arlington and the USBC Queens will be held in the area during convention week, allowing delegates the opportunity to attend the live TV show. The Queens will be conducted April 20-25 with qualifying at AMF Euless Lanes and the finals taking place at the International Training and Research Center at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington.

To view the schedule of all the major events in 2012, please click here. 

USBC announces three selections to Youth Committee 
The USBC Board of Directors selected Debra Haggerty, Alan Nordman, Sr., and Rick Pittser to serve on the USBC Youth Committee for the 2011-12 season. Each was recommended by the USBC Nominating Committee.

Haggerty, of Weimar, Calif., has been involved with youth programs for nearly 20 years and was the 2009 David Dahms Coach of the Year Award winner. She is a USBC Silver coach who has served as Youth Director at two centers for the past 15 years.

Nordman, of Oregon, Ill., owns two bowling centers and has served on the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America board. He also currently serves on the USBC Information Technology Committee. A USBC Silver coach, he is the founder and coach of the bowling club at Oregon High School.

Pittser has been operating youth leagues in North Carolina for the last decade, including scholarship leagues, and also developed the Tough Shots tour in North Carolina and Virginia. A resident of Huntersville, N.C., he is a youth advisor for the Greater Charlotte USBC.

Haggerty, Nordman and Pittser will join chairman Frank Wilkinson, Erik Galganski, Tommy Gann, Elbert Gibson, Brenda Green, Amanda Hollenbaugh, Suzanne Huebel and Kyle Mauerman on the committee for the 2011-12 season.

Purdue's Schmidt, Wichita State's Tan named collegiate MVPs
Purdue senior TJ Schmidt and Wichita State sophomore Jazreel Tan were named Most Valuable Players for the 2010-11 college bowling season by the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association.

Schmidt and Tan were honored with the rest of the All-Americans at the Night of Champions banquet held in conjunction with the 2011 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships.

To read more about their accomplishments as well as other members of the All-American teams, 
please click here.

Bowling industry unites to keep ITC on television in 2011 
Industry partners joined together to keep the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships on television for the 10th consecutive year in 2011. The men's and women's finals of the event will air on ESPN2 on May 15 at 2 p.m. Eastern.

The USBC, Bowling Proprietors' Association of America, Professional Bowlers Association, Strike Ten Entertainment, The Bowling Foundation and the YES Fund are all contributing to broadcast college bowling's biggest event. The YES Fund, a joint initiative of the BPAA and the USBC, is made possible by many of the leading brands in bowling including Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, 900 Global, Hammer, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track.

ESPN2 will provide two hours of coverage for the second consecutive year, bringing college bowling to 100 million homes across the United States. The event will be produced by the PBA for the first time.

ESPN2 also will televise another major event this year. The championship round of Bowling's U.S. Women's Open on June 30 at Cowboys Stadium will be taped with the broadcast scheduled for July 2 at 6 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

Winners selected in US Bowler writing contest 
The winners in the two categories of the 2010 US Bowler Writing Competition have been selected. The 59th annual contest, presented by the membership magazine of USBC, featured news/feature and editorial categories.

Three winners were selected in each category. To view the winners in each category, please click here.