8ISSUE AT HAND

Ultimate April FoolsBy Scott Frager

10SHORTS

• Ebonite's UStrike®

pins meet the mark• Switch moves

to Turkey• AMF files for

Chapter 11• Bowling, moviesand stage, oh yes!• Schemm Bowling

will take overLanglo inventory

Compiled by Patty Heath

18PROFILE

A New Woman in AnOld World

How Meena Rahmani isbreaking down old culturalbarriers in Afghanistan with

bowling.By Ben Breuner

24COVER STORYCelebrating 20

We’ve been here for 20years reporting on theindustry. Taking a look

back, we see how far wehave come and where weare headed for our future.

By Fred Groh

CONTENTS

34MARKETINGSummertime BoomAt Kids Bowl Free, thebusiest time of the yearis summer with 6 millionyoungsters signed upto bowl. By Fred Groh

37FEATUREThe One-Stop-Shop forBowlingAt the ITRC-based program,coaches assess collegeprospects looking fora scholarship.By Mark Miller

42MEMORY LANERememberingAllen CrownWith a sparkle in his eyeand kind heart, our founderAllen Crown charmedthe industry.By Paul Lane

52REMEMBER WHENOur first cover!By Patty Heath

44 Datebook

45 Showcase

46 Classifieds

VOL 21.1

34

THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING

IBI January 2013

18

PUBLISHER & EDITORScott Frager

frager@bowlingindustry.comSkype: scottfrager

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISINGChris Holmes

holmes@bowlingindustry.com

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTGregory Keer

keer@bowlingindustry.com

OFFICE MANAGERPatty Heath

heath@bowlingindustry.com

CONTRIBUTORSBen Breuner

Fred GrohPatty HeathPaul Lane

Mark Miller

EDITORIAL DIRECTORJackie Fisher

fisher@bowlingindustry.com

ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTIONDesignworks

www.dzynwrx.com(818) 735-9424

FOUNDERAllen Crown (1933-2002)

12655 Ventura BoulevardStudio City, CA 91604(818) 789-2695(BOWL)

Fax (818) 789-2812info@bowlingindustry.com

www.BowlingIndustry.com

HOTLINE: 888-424-2695SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy ofInternational Bowling Industry is sent free toevery bowling center, independently ownedpro shop and collegiate bowling center inthe U.S., and every military bowling centerand pro shop worldwide. Publisher reservesthe right to provide free subscriptions tothose individuals who meet publicationqualifications. Additional subscriptions maybe purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50per year. Subscriptions for Canada andMexico are $65 per year, all other foreignsubscriptions are $80 per year. All foreignsubscriptions should be paid in U.S. fundsusing International Money Orders.POSTMASTER: Please send new as well asold address to International Bowling Industry,12655 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA91604 USA. If possible, please furnishaddress mailing label.Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2013, B2B Media,Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprintedwithout the publisher’s permission.

MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:

6

24

IBI January 2013

THE ISSUE AT HAND

8

Twenty years go by in a blink of an eye!My journey in bowling began April 1st,

1994, my hire date at Bowling Industrymagazine (no international moniker at thattime). I was terribly nervous about starting anew job on April Fools’ Day. I rememberthinking that I could possibly ask for my oldjob back in case this was a cruel joke playedon me by Allen Crown, the magazine’s founder.

Well, after a few months, it became clearthat this job was no joke but an amazingcareer move that transformed my life. My loveand passion for publishing grew symbioticallywith the business of bowling. I have developedgreat friendships with the men and women whohave created, produced and sold productsthat keep the industry alive and exciting.

Over the past two decades, I’ve been ableto travel the world calling on customers,presenting to audiences ideas on the state ofthe industry and sharing my thoughts on thefuture of bowling. My journey has also allowedme to proudly represent the Bowling Centersof Southern CA as state executive director. Forsix years, I’ve enjoyed serving the men andwomen who own and manage bowling centers.

Most recently, I’ve accepted the new

challenge of running a beautiful 32-lane center called Pinz EntertainmentCenter, right in the heart of Los Angeles. This responsibility, by far, is themost challenging and rewarding of my career. Finally, I’m able to put mybook knowledge of bowling into practical application, and it feels great!

As I look back at the past 20 years, I can say without reservation thatI am very proud to be in the business of bowling. I am forever gratefulto those of you who take the time to read the pages of IBI and to thosewho show their trust and confidence as they allocate precious advertisingdollars to market and promote their products with us.

I humbly bow to those who give their all every day to make B2B Mediahum: Patty Heath, Chris Holmes, Jackie Fisher, all of our talented writers,designers and vendors who bring stories to life under immense time andbudget pressures.

Thanks to my beautiful wife and children. For all those dinners andevents I’ve missed, for being away so many nights on the road, and forcoming home with barely enough energy for those ever importantgoodnight kisses before I tuck you in and head back to work, I amgrateful that you are so understanding.

Yes, this has been an amazing 20 years andthe best April Fools’ joke ever played.

Thank you, Allen. Thank you, InternationalBowling Industry.

– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHERAND EDITORfrager@bowlingindustry.com

IBI Online would like to introduce the 2000th member of our online community.The 20th Anniversary of IBI magazine colliding with the 2000th member of IBIOnline!! A cosmic moment?

Scott Geurlink of Gilbert, AZ, is in the throes of building a bowling center in thebeautiful city of San Miguel de Allende, San Miguel, a UNESCO World Heritage site,

located in Central Mexico and home to about 120,000 people including10,000 ex-patriots and retirees from around the world.

Scott felt this little town was a perfect spot for a bowling center, andIBI Online was the perfect place to begin to network and get help withhis project! We do too.

We wish the Geurlinks a very Happy New Year, congratulations to Scottfor being the 2000th member and smooth sailing on the new center.

Scott, keep us informed, and we’ll all come visit!

�THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com

Ultimate April Fools

10 IBI January 2013

SHORTS

The exciting news at Ebonite International is “Our pins havebeen approved!”

With a century-long heritage of pin manufacturing, theUStrike ® brand has been given the thumbs up by USBC.

Randy Schickert, Ebonite International Chief ExecutiveOfficer, said, “Our entire Ebonite International team has been100 percent invested in improving the pin productionprocess to create a pin that is aesthetically pleasing, builtto last and at a good price.” Being made in the U.S.A. withwood coming solely from North American forests alsocreates jobs which today is a very good thing.

“By bringing manufacturing jobs to the U.S. from Mexico,

we are able to create a better product withstricter controls and processes in a moreefficient manner,” said Pete Moyer, Director-Ebonite Bowling Center Direct. Bowling CenterDirect offers consumable service productsspecifically for bowling centers, includinghouse balls, rental shoes and now pins.

After a meticulous testing process, Eboniteis proud of its stamp of approval and ismaking pins like crazy to satisfy orders inhouse already and with expectations of thoseforthcoming.

Ebonite’s Pins Are A-OK for USBC

GOODWILL CENTRALWhile some segments of society use the holiday time

at the end of the year to turn their eyes to charity andsupport work, the bowling industry is involved all year long!Just check out a few of the events going on in centersacross the nation.

AMF Bowling Centers—including its nine upscale 300brand locations—hosted a nationwide fundraising event thatraised $63,440 for the American Red Cross to help victimsof Superstorm Sandy. On November 18 from noon to 6:00p.m., every AMF and 300 bowling center offered a two-hour$10 per person bowling session. $5 from each session wasdonated to the American Red Cross in support of therelief efforts for those affected by Sandy.

Closer to home, Hi-Tor Lanes in Stony Point, NY, wasthe venue for the Hurricane Bowling Fundraiser hostedby the North Rockland Business Alliance and the town ofStony Point. The town’s waterfront communities werebadly affected by Sandy. There are nearly 100 people stillliving in a shelter.

Mahoning Valley Lanes in Youngstown, OH, openedits door to the Potential Development Program, anorganization that serves preschool and school-agechildren with autism spectrum disorder. Proceeds will beused to purchase new computers for the agency’s Schoolof Autism.

Bowling for breast cancer research was the goal forforty-five bowlers at Taku Lanes in Juneau, AK. It is anannual event which began six years ago with the help ofLeslie Dumont and Ginger and Gordon Griffin.

Zodo’s Bowling & Beyond in Santa Barbara, CA,hosted an outdoor turkey bowling contest to benefitthe Santa Barbara Food Bank. Contestants slid frozenturkeys down an outdoor lane with all proceeds going tothe food bank.

Bowling centers are a great place to have eventshonoring and supporting U.S. veterans. Don CarterLanes in Rockford, IL, hosted a Bowl for the Troopsmoonlight bowling fundraiser. The proceeds benefited“Provide the Ride,” a Rockford Women’s BowlingAssociation (RWBA) and BVL program that providestransportation for veterans to the Madison VA Hospital.

Thunder Rolls Bowling Center, Craig, CO, surpassedprevious years in raising funds for Bowl for Veterans andinvolving the community. Beryl Dschaak who is the ownerof Thunder Rolls said of this year, “We had more of thecommunity come out and show their support andappreciation.”

BVL, Bowlers to Veterans Link, presented a grantof $6,000 to the Veterans Home of Ventura, CA, whichhouses 60 residents. These funds will go to createamong other things arbors to cover some garden areasand a walkway to allow access for residents with limitedmobility. Brenda Manke, administrator of the Venturahome said, “It [funds] allows the opportunity to make thehome a home.”

Please decide to share your center’s activities. Sendinformation on your charity events toheath@bowlingindustry.com.

12 IBI January 2013

SHORTS

Oops that was notsupposed to happen! AndrewBynum, recently of thePhiladelphia 76ers andpreviously a Los AngelesLaker, admitted to injuringhis left knee while bowling.The problem is that he was out for rehabilitation on hisright knee. Bynum said he didn’t recall a specific incidentwhile bowling, only that he noticed swelling later.

NO STRIKE FOR BYNUM

WATCHMedia

What does NewYork Jets Tim Tebowdo on a date? Whyhe goes bowling ofcourse! Tebow andactress Camilla Bellewere seen having fun

at Latitude 30 in Jacksonville, FL. Besides bowling,holding hands was the activity of the evening.

LOVE ON THE LANES?

Activision Mobile Publishing hasintroduced a new mobile game, freeto play on the Apple App Store. “TheBowling Dead” is an eccentric gamethat combines the fine art of bowlingwith the destruction of an evil zombieinvasion force. The campaign has40 levels and lots of fun.

NEW MOBILE GAME

Who said bowling wasn’t theatrical? Bowling, theatre and filmare made for each other. The August IBI issue contained an articleon a play performed on the lanes. Then, October showed thejoint efforts of Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, CA, and anindependent film crew shooting “We’ve Got Balls.” This last monthno matter where one went on the web, a film project or play wasbeing developed around the theme of bowling. One could almostsay, “Films and theatre and bowling, oh my!”

The most high profile was a project with JackBlack of “School of Rock” fame who will play aprofessional bowler thought to be inspired by a real-life PBA champion. No names were given. This willreteam him with director Richard Linklater withwhom he has worked on three different projects.

Lighter fare will come fromMaven Pictures’ “Rollin’ Thunder,” a comedy setin the world of the Atlanta hip-hop scene. Thescreenplay has been penned by Kenny Smith, Jr.,co-executive producer, writer and director of theBET series “The Game.” The soundtrack will behandled by Universal Republic Records. “Thunder”centers (no pun intended) on a former bowlingchamp turned ex-con who sees a city-wide bowling

tournament as a means to get back in the game, prove his innocenceto the tycoon who owns Atlanta’s biggest bowling alley, and mendbridges with his estranged, teen-aged daughter.

Moving to a more campy world, “Atom theAmazing Zombie Killer” written by Richard Taylorand Zack Beins debuted in August at the DenverIndie Festival. What’s it about? Zombies, bowling,and blood, gore and guts. What else!

Not to be upstaged, University of Wisconsin,Oshkosh, kicks off its 2012-2013 theatreseason with “More Fun than Bowling.”Written by Steve Dietz, the play featuresa “backwater bowling alley owner,” asdescribed by the Campus News, “whohas lost two wives to freak bowlingaccidents and sees them gardening at

their graves.” It examines the supportive love of a father anddaughter who set out on a “life path riddled with gutter balls.

BOWLING OTTABE IN PICTURES!

Kenny Smith, Jr.

Jack Black

WhiteWater, a waterpark and attractions designer and manufacturer since 1980, hasacquired Apptivations LLC, creators of live action storytelling to fun and/or educationalinteractive games. In partnership with Denise Chapman Weston and Rick Briggs, WhiteWaterwill put the best that mobile and contemporary technology has to offer in the hands of park guests.

Downloadable apps will offer games that cometo life in REAL time and will entertain park guestswhile creating additional ways to reward andgenerate additional revenue streams with devicesthat are already in use by consumers. For more info:www.whitewaterwest.com.

WHITEWATER ACQUIRES APPTIVATIONS LLC

14 IBI January 2013

The Former Regal movie theater in Bethlehem, PA, will be reopening as a 20-24 laneupscale bowling center complete with cocktail lounge. The name of the 32,000-square-footentertainment center has yet to be announced. The building is being leased by RevolutionsEntertainment out of Murrells Inlet, S.C., according to Joseph Posh owner of the building.

The website claims the venue will not only offer bowling but private suites, each fittedwith bowling lanes, plush leather couch seating and projection screens.

The merging of two great things--pizza and bowling--is happening in Ellicottville, NY. Locatedin the former Nannen Baseball Bat Factory vacated in 2007, Tim and Bonnie’s Pizza and EVLBowling have joined forces. The pizzeria which started in Springville includes 12 lanes of bowling,and it was thought the same type of venue would do well in Ellicottville, a ski area.

The space, housing the pizzeria and bowling center, will occupy about 11,000 of the 29,000square feet of the old factory and will need 25-30 new employees. The center will have eightlanes and a video arcade while the restaurant will have seating capacity for 75-100 patrons.

Another transformation will take place in Omaha, NE, whereLinens ‘N Things near the Oak View Mall will become an entertainmentcenter called The V. Entrepreneur Mike Zabawa first pitched theidea in 2010. The V has leased the 46,000-square-foot home goodsstore and will include bowling, laser tag, a sports bar, café, a VIPlounge, party rooms and a DJ booth.

Old, classic hotels are not exempt from stepping up and includingbowling in their offerings. “Play” is the newest dining andentertainment center being installed at The Broadmoor in theresort town of Colorado Springs, CO. The six-lane Brunswickinstallation is scheduled to open the first week of April. It will alsoinclude an 80-seat restaurant, lounge, a private dining area andspace for computer games.

EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS

In November, Schemm Bowling, Inc. of Deerfield, WI, purchased thebowling supplies and pinsetter parts inventory from Langlo Bowling andBilliards, Inc., of Elk Grove Village, IL.

Started in 1977 by Tom Schemm, SBI has grown to a full line distributorand service company for the bowling industry. Don and Eric Lundgren ofLanglo will be working with SBI during the transition of the inventory.

Langlo will continue to offer lane resurfacing, repairs and installation workalong with the manufacturing of Perma Fascia plastic products and billiardcues and table service.

SCHEMM BOWLING, INC.BUYS LANGLO BOWLING INVENTORY

The Crestwood Bowl, a 24-lane center with snackbar and lounge, and its iconic sign have been amainstay on old Route 66 in Crestwood, MO, sincethe late 1950s. The sign was designated a countylandmark, however, its lights fizzled out a few yearsago. The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Programcame to the rescue and awarded the center a $9,500grant to restore the sign. A public relighting ceremonywas held at sunset on October 20 and the center

offered 66-cent games and shoe rentals to round out the occasion. Almostbetter than a Christmas tree lighting ceremony!

Lights come back on at Crestwood BowlNOSTALGIA PREVAILSSHORTS

At the Illinois State Bowling ProprietorsAssociation, ISBPA, Annual General Meeting,winners of its annual awards wereannounced. Alan Nordman, president elect,and Jeff Johnson, vice president elect, sharedthe 2012 Patrick F Bosco Award of Merit.Another share was Jim Thatcher, manager atFox Bowl in Wheaton, and Nancy Overby,youth bowling coach and coordinator atCamelot Bowl in Collinsville, who receivedthe ISBPA Award of Recognition.

Frank Miceli was selected to receiveISBPA’s President’s Award. The LouisPetersen Award was given to Jim Stubler, co-owner of Illinois Valley Super Bowl in Peru,in recognition of his years of service to theassociation and the industry/sport of bowlingin both Illinois and the U.S.

It was pointed out that nine of the ISBPAmember centers in 2012 celebrated their50th anniversaries of membership. Of thenine, Arena Lanes, Oak Lawn; Mardi GrasLanes, DeKalb; Nu Bowl, Mt. Vernon; ParkLanes, Loves Park; and Willowbrook Lanes,Willowbrook, were present at the meeting.

ISBPA AWARDSGIVEN

16 IBI January 2013

SHORTS

Bowling center operator AMF Bowling Worldwide announced filingfor Chapter 11 bankruptcy so it can implement a pre-arrangedrestructuring agreement. A leader in the industry since the 1940s, thecompany has 279 bowling locations, including 262 traditional centersand nine upscale 300-brand bowling centers in the United States andeight locations in Mexico.

QubicaAMF, in which AMF holds a fifty percent (50%) investment, isnot included in the filing and continues to operate outside the U.S.bankruptcy process without interruption.

Steve Satterwhite, AMF’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief OperatingOfficer, stated “business as usual” with centers remaining open duringthe process. “AMF is open for business and our bowling centers areserving customers as usual, with our centers’ staff focused on providingthe best possible bowling experience.”

AMF spokesperson Merrell Wreden said, “We have no plans for anylayoffs as a result of the restructuring. Like any retail chain, we willcontinue to look at our individual operating units and their performance.”

Alan Nordman was elected president ofthe Illinois State Bowling Proprietors Associationfor the next two years at the Annual Fall Meetingheld in November. Nordman, 49, is proprietorof two Illinois bowling centers, Plum Hollow

Family Center in Dixon andTown & Country Lanes inMt. Morris. He is alsosecretary of the BowlingProprietors Association ofAmerica.

Nordman has served asISBPA vice present for thepast two years and

succeeds Lyle Zikes of Beverly Lanes in ArlingtonHeights. Vice President will be Jeff Johnson, 4Seasons Bowing Center; secretary, KeithTadevich, Oak Forest Bowl; and treasurer, BobStubler, Fox Bowl.

PEOPLE WATCHING

Alan Nordman

Alain Winterhalter, Switch CEO, shared the news with IBI’s publisher thatSwitch is opening a new company, Switch International, in Turkey. SwitchInternational will be the new manufacturing, logistics, service and sales hubwith R&D remaining in Italy. Istanbul will be the home for the company’sheadquarters while theoperations side will bebased in Izmir.

Turkey is one of theworld’s top three growtheconomies with anaverage GDP growth rateof 5.9% in the last nineyears and is forecastedat 6.7% from 2011 to 2017. Winterhalter also pointed out that 50% of thepopulation is under the age of 29, well-educated and multicultural. Thesefindings along with an investment-friendly climate from the government havemade this an exciting decision for Switch.

Mr. Ahmet Solmaz, COO and Turkish representative for SwitchInternational, will help with the move. The plan is to gradually shut down themanufacturing and logistics operations in Italy. While the move begins at theend of the 2012, it will be a step by step process and not affect deliveriesor quality.

“Our R&D team are also working very hard,” Winterhalter said, “to bringnew, interesting and exciting products for the future.”

AMF FILES FOR CHAPTER 11FOCUSING ON RESTRUCTURING

MOVES ITSOPERATION TO TURKEY

Lind’s World Impexand the bowlingindustry in general lostone of the good guys.David Wiggins, VicePresident and GeneralManager of Lind’sWorld Impex, lost hissix-year battle with cancer in October 2012.Along with his duties in managing the salesstaff, Wiggins was also responsible forproduct design and purchasing.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years,Marian Labhart, his step-daughter, TerryGalpin, and his mother, Betty Wiggins,brother Kevin and sister Gigi Higgins.

R E M E M B R A N C E S

SELL YOUR CENTEROR EQUIPMENT FAST!(818) 789-2695

18 IBI January 201318 IBI January 2013

PROFILE

midst bombs and burqas, one woman isworking to change the attitude of a war-tornculture. Twenty-seven-year-old MeenaRahmani is the owner and developer of

the recently-opened Strikers, the first and onlybowling center in Afghanistan. Rahmani openedStrikers on Sept. 15, 2011 in Kabul, the capital ofAfghanistan. The center has just recently begun tosee real commercial success, after ongoingskepticism about a woman operating a westernizedentertainment center.

"I knew how the years of war in Afghanistan had

A

A NewWoman In

An Old WorldAgainst all odds, Meena Rahmani opened Strikers, an American style bowling center, in Kabul.

By Ben Breuner

ProprietorMeena Rahmaniposes on the lanes.

PROFILE

changed the mentality,” she said. “I knew that people wouldbe so changed, they would never like a woman working intheir environment, and especially a woman to be a boss. Andbecause I was aware, I made myself very strong.” InAfghanistan, women are struggling to gain the same rightsas men. It is very uncommon for a woman to be found in theworkplace, let alone heading a business. Rahmani said thatshe immediately experienced the frustrations of genderinequality when she began construction on her center. “Inthe beginning, being a woman, the labor men wouldn't talkto me,” Rahmani said. “They had never been in anenvironment with a woman heading them.” It was challengingfor her to convey her ideas and preferences for the bowlingcenter when the men building it would not speak to her. “Butwith the passage of time, being in the environment andmaking the men understand that a womancan also head a place, they became quitegood to me,” she said.

The status of women in Afghanistanhas been dismal for years, according to a2008 report by the Canadian parliament.As of this year, the literacy rate for womenis less than 13%, compared to the morethan 43% of men who can read. In March,Afghan President Hamid Karzai posted astatement from a government-appointed

Muslim council stating, “Men are fundamental and women aresecondary.” The statement marked a setback for the alreadystruggling women’s rights movement there.

“Whenever I have women customers, they always come to myoffice and they thank me for whatever I have done for them,”Rahmani said. “They say, 'We have never had a place where wecan feel equal with men, to feel equal and participate in a sport.'We have lots of centers, but very specifically for men, and nothingfor women. So they are really appreciating my work."

Rahmani was born in Afghanistan but moved to Pakistan whenshe was seven. After getting her business degree atthe English-speaking Preston University in Pakistan,Rahmani spent four years living in Canada. She saidher years there changed her perception of women’srights. “I knew that I am a human being and I shouldhave all the same rights that men should have,”Rahmani said. “It made me very strong to come andfight, and make people accept the fact that a womancan work and she can head a place!"

Rahmani is now in charge of a 25-person staffwho is, not surprisingly, all male. “They are all quite respectfulto me; they all accept the fact that a woman can work. Andbecause they accept the fact, they are very good to me and Iam very good to them,” she said. One of Rahmani’s employees,25-year-old Wais Wahab, also frequents Stikers two or threetimes a week as a customer. “It's really a good game, a gamethat everyone can play, every age,” Wahab said. “Everyone whoenters the place, they don't even imagine that they are locatedin Afghanistan. They think they are somewhere else. InAfghanistan for there to be such a place is unbelievable.”Wahab has been working as the financial officer at Strikers nowfor the last six months and enjoys working for Rahmani. “Sheis really a good leader, we never have any anger,” he said. “Forme it doesn't matter if it’s a lady or a man. I am from aneducated family: my mother is a teacher. We are not like tribal

The crowd enjoyingthe lanes during“Men Only” hours.

A view of thecenter.

Rahmani’ s restaurant servesAmerican style food, from piz-zas to hamburgers to shakes.

20 IBI January 201320 IBI January 2013

PROFILE

people who are so faraway from education.For me it doesn’tmatter if it's a lady ora man.”

While business atStrikers started outslow, it has beenpicking up graduallyas word of the strangenew western gamehas spread. At itsopening, the centerbrought in about 30-40 customers a day.Now that number hasjumped to 60-70 a day,

with over a hundred on the weekends. Rahmani reports, "Inthe beginning, people were just coming to see 'what isbowling?' but now it has become their habit. Now they arecoming everyday and saying 'we can't be without bowling.'They just love it.”

Over 80% of Strikers’ customers are local Afghans, with theremaining 20 percent being international visitors and expatriates.And, as of late, the name Strikers has traveled far beyond Kabul.“Now we have customers coming from different provinces, an11-hour drive just to play bowling and see how it is!"

The bowling center features 12 lanes, each adorned with a46” LCD monitor that displays bowlers’ scores. Rahmani usesBrunswick Model-95 parts which she imported from China. Thecenter is furnished with dim blue lighting and a modern style.Within the same building, Rahmani built a restaurant that canaccommodate 150 people. Strikers also features a café bar thatcan seat 50, and a hookah lounge for people to smoke flavoredtobacco—a common activity in the Middle East.

It costs $25 for a group of six to bowl for an hour from 11-5, and $30 from 5-11. Rahmani has been working to cut costslower to make her center more affordable to the averageperson in Kabul. While the price tag may seem reasonable, itis a luxury for the Afghanis, whose 2011 per-capita GDP was

A private booth in the restaurant.

The restaurantentrance glim-mers in the softlights.

21IBI January 2013 21IBI January 2013

merely $1000. To compare, the U.S. per-capita GDP is 48times that amount.

Rahmani has had to keep her prices high in order makesome return on the $1 million that she invested in Strikers.She says she has no idea how long it will take before shebreaks even on her investment.

“We live in an unstabilized country,”she said. “People now love bowling, theywant to come. But what happens forexample if something happens in the city,a bomb-blast or something. Then people become scared andthey don't go to public places as much. Then in a week,business picks up again.”

Because acts of terrorism are so commonplace, Rahmanihas several security measures in place. While in westernizedcountries it is common to see a coat-check upon entering abuilding, Rahmani has instead implemented a “gun-check” atthe entrance to Strikers. It is very common for pedestrians tocarry guns around the streets of Kabul, but Rahmani makeseach person surrender their weapon before entering thebuilding. The bowling center also has a bulletproof gate andthree armed guards positioned within the building. YetRahmani’s best line of defense is not her guards, it’s her rules.“I don't allow alcohol, which is very common in bowlingcenters in the west. I don't allow cigarettes. It's a sports place,so it should be healthy. Even drunk people are not allowed to

enter my gate. In Afghanistan these things are really of matter.” Rahmani said she tries to operate within the boundaries of

religious and cultural customs, which she says is the safest wayto keep the conservative groups at bay. “Security is a majorconcern,” she said. “It happens in the supermarket, it happens

in the street, it happenseverywhere. But because Ioperate within the circle of whatis allowed in my country, I don’tsee much threat. And the restyou never know.”

Rahmani’s need for securitymay even exceed otherentertainment centers in Kabuldue to the westernized nature ofStrikers. Rahmani said sheactively incorporates elements ofAmerican culture in the center topromote the acculturation ofAfghanis to the outside world."It's not specifically about

bringing western culture to the country, it's about introducingnew standards to the country,” Rahmani said. Rather thanserving traditional Afghani food in her restaurant, Rahmaniserves burgers, pizza, pasta and milkshakes. She also playsEnglish music like Katy Perry and Ke$ha. “You know wenever had things like M&M milkshakes or Kit-Kat. All thesethings. They are very new. And they're very challenging tointroduce in the country, but still it can be easily accepted andappreciated by people."

According to Barry Rubin, a professor and editor of theMiddle East Review of International Affairs Journal,Afghanistan has been very slow to become open-mindedabout foreign cultures, but he believes that bowling could havethe potential to be successful there. “A bowling alley couldfit well with traditional Afghan culture since bowling can bedone in traditional clothes, and the alley could have men-and-women-only times,” the 62-year-old professor said. “It doesn’trequire activities that contradict the culture, so it is possible.”

Yet for Rahmani, her bowling center is all about makingthe Afghan citizens happy after two decades of war. “Theyhave had nothing to think about beyond their dailystruggles—this hour or two that people spend here, it givesthem a break from all the war that is going on a daily basis,”Rahmani said. “My customers say every time they enterStrikers, ‘We feel like we are not in Afghanistan.’” ❖

22 IBI January 201322 IBI January 2013

The front desk area provides hospitality to theclients, from assigning lanes to shoe rental.

Rahmani incorporates a hooka lounge into the bowling center.Smoking a hooka is a favorite past-time in Afghanistan.

The average customer at Strikers ranges from traditional to Western-influenced.Notice that some of the guests wear the traditional Afghani clothing, whileothers have a decidedly Western style.

PROFILE

Ben Breuner is currently an undergraduate student at NorthwesternUniversity's Medill School of Journalism.

24 IBI January 2013

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

s we start our thirddecade bringing youthe best in bowlingnews, information,

and business insight, we’d like totake a moment to reflect on thepast 20 years. Please join us aswe take a look through the goodand great years of bowlingbusiness and innovation. All ofus at IBI know that the best isyet to come.

By Fred Groh

A

26 IBI January 2013

27IBI January 2013

Fred Groh is a regular contributorto IBI and former managing editor ofthe magazine.

32 IBI January 2013

34 IBI January 2013

MARKETING

n a way, there’s nothing new about Kids Bowl Free, the most successful promotionever. That’s one of its strengths, Bruce Davis will tell you.

In another way, it’s ground-breaking. That, too, is one of its strengths, says Davis,a 40-year bowling marketing veteran who also knows center management first-hand.Davis is president of Bowling Business Builders International, which owns and runsThe Kids Bowl Free Promotion and Marketing Movement.

The KBF program, which signed up more than 6 million youngsters nationwidein its first five years, distills proven best practices in summer bowling programs forkids 6-15 around the industry.

And it breaks new ground with sales of modestly-priced Family Passes that bring backthe kids and bring in their parents. Half the money earned goes in cash to proprietors.Out of the other half, Kids Bowl Free serves up a variety of supporting programs.

Principal among them are no-cost materials for in-season promotions, turning KBF

IKids Bowl

Free counts6 million

youngsters asit heads into

summernumber six.

By Fred Groh

Andy O' Mara, Darin Spindler, BruceDavis & Fred Kaplowitz on set at Fox

& Friends where bowling and KidsBowl Free received 14 minutes on

prime time morning TV.

35IBI January 2013

MARKETING

into a year-round marketing program. Includedis four-color artwork for posters, flyers,postcards, and coupons, all customizable.Proprietors are currently receiving a baker’sdozen of different promotions for a range ofage groups and interests.

They also get a confidential database ofleads and Kids Bowl Free registrants at theircenters. “It’s a very good database for thebowling center; nobody else would beinterested in it, believe me,” says Davis. “In amass [promotion], the big companies get allthese people anyway far cheaper than youcould imagine. But we respect people’s concernabout data. We do not,” he states emphatically,“sell, trade or rent this data for anything.” Thedatabase is updated continuously.

“We have a choice,” he offers, explaining theinspiration behind Kids Bowl Free. “We canspend a lot of money advertising—radio, TV,newspapers—trying to coax the masses in. Notmany operators would tell you that has workedwell for them or that it is financially efficient.

“Or by offering a chance for a free trial, youare creating a marketing approach that getspeople to try your product. If they are theninterested, you have the information to contactthem very efficiently to invite them back.”

The “free trial” in Kids Bowl Free is anoffer of two free games every day all summerlong. The idea has met a skeptical receptionfrom some.

But one-game-free offers have been aroundforever, Davis explains. He knows from runninga center in Toledo. “That’s how we started 30years ago. In the Internet age, you need aremarkable offer to get somebody’s attention.‘Two free games’ is remarkable.”

Parents don’t complain about paying forshoes when their kids get two games free, hereports from twice-yearly surveys of KBFparents, and the children are in the centerlonger, making for more time in which theycan be eating and drinking.

“Would you drive your kid across town forone free game? Or would you be more likelyto grab a couple of neighbors and driveacross town for two free games? It’s just abetter offer, so more people respond.”

Proprietors play four parts in the program.For one, they order 4x6 laminated

Steve Doocy of Fox & Friends proudly shows off his bowling ball.

Darin Spindler & Andy O' Mara along with school age children, school & community leaders on theKids Bowl Free Nationwide Bus Tour in the spring of 2011.

The “Bowling to Teachers” program awards $250 grants to elementary and middleschool teachers for classroom supplies.

36 IBI January 2013

MARKETING

coming, it seems, thanks to Family Passearnings. “Bowling to Teachers” was a$100,000 program last year that awarded$250 grants to elementary and middleschool teachers for classroom supplies.Proprietors could approach schools asrepresentatives of the grant program. Asplanned, and as hundreds of unsolicitedthank-you letters from educators attested,many centers found it easier to put bowling’sstory into the schools. Davis brings backthe program this year.

In the wider outside world, a KBF-themedbus toured the nation in spring 2011.Chicago’s mayor, proclaiming Kids Bowl FreeDay, was among impressed civic officials in44 cities. Last year, anchors on a Fox andFriends show had fun bowling on outdoorlanes in downtown Manhattan and talkingabout KBF to their 3 million viewers. At presstime, Davis was “working on a surprise” forthis year.

Davis says he never envisioned KBF just asa summer program.

“I told our team, ‘If all we’re going to dois put together a summer program and notevolve it to in-season help, it’s going to bea very short-run program.’ The problem[has always been] that if you built a programthat would be efficient enough to worknationwide in local communities, the front-end cost was more than most bowlingproprietors want to risk, and you needed toget good numbers in order to be efficientfor everybody.”

Numbers that KBF has, at an average costto proprietors (for the info cards) of $650. In2012, KBF kids numbered 1,865,114,averaging 1,759 children per center, up 14%over the year before. Family Pass salesincreased 12%. 1,023 centers participated,9% higher. And around the industry, 738,657families interested in bowling were added tocenter databases. ❖

information cards from KBF, personalized with the center name, and distributethe cards to schools, churches, businesses and events. Kids Bowl Free suppliesa suggested timeline to maximize the value of the distribution.

Second, they post their terms and conditions to a web page customized forthe center within the KBF website. When prospects respond online to promotionalmaterial, they go directly to the page.

Third, it falls to proprietors to deal with one problem endemic to a free-gameprogram that creates a lot of traffic.

“George or Mary has been working the counter for years and in the summer,they do their nails, they update their Christmas list, or whatever, and all of a suddenhere comes a bunch of kids. They don’t see them as future paycheck enhancers.They see them as pains in the neck. So proprietors have to impress on their stafffolks how important it is to treat KBF customers well.

“And needless to add, they have to keep it up. We see great center operatorswith powerful numbers and results three, four and five years into the program.But they work the program April through August and beyond.”

Enhancements and added projects in support of Kids Bowl Free don’t stop

Fred Groh is a regular contributor toIBI and former managing editor ofthe magazine.

37IBI January 2013

FEATURE

hinking about major collegiate athletics likely brings to mind bigcrowds, large coaching staffs, huge bands and enough time andmoney to recruit the next stars. For minor sports like bowling,there's nothing like that. Instead of crowds of 80,000 for football or

17,000 for basketball, maybe 500 people cram into a student center orneighborhood establishment. Rather than a head coach and up to 15 assistants,there's one lead person and perhaps one extra. In place of loud music, there’s

the whooping and hollering of family andfriends and possibly some noisemakers.

And what about athletic recruiting? That'sa luxury for small schools and still challengingfor the big ones. There's just not enoughcoaches, time or money to do it well even forthose affiliated with the National CollegiateAthletic Association.

The former Young American BowlingAlliance had a creative solution to theseproblems. It began providing one place toscout future collegiate bowlers when it createdthe Junior Gold National Championships in1998. Through 2010, it was about the onlyway a college coach could visit one location andsee so many athletes.

Trouble was, as the Junior Gold continuedgrowing, it became harder for coaches tofind or easily watch the players. Somethingmore intimate was needed. Thanks to theUnited States Bowling Congress, such aplace now exists. Patterned after similarevents for collegians in football andbasketball, the Bowling Combine for CollegeProspects held its second go-around inAugust at the International Training andResearch Center (ITRC) in Arlington, Texas.That's where more than 20 coaches watcheda sold-out field of 60 males and 48 femalesfrom 29 states and Costa Rica, many ofwhom hadn't attended the Junior GoldChampionships. “It's a great opportunity tosee kids you don't know about and a goodopportunity for them,” said VincennesUniversity coach Gary Sparks. “We, as anindustry, don't provide a lot of opportunitiesfor them to get exposure, so it's a win-winfor all.”

“It's a pretty good cross-section of kidsyou may not see otherwise,” said WichitaState University assistant coach Mark Lewis.“They may not have other chances.”

“At Junior Gold, a lot of the kids knowwhere they are going to college,” said TeamUSA assistant head coach Kim Terrell-Kearney, a former head coach at DelawareState University. “A kid here usually hasn'tmade a decision on college.” “This is a nicething,” said Arkansas State University coachJustin Kostick. “It's something run like othersports. This is one of the only places that

THEONE-STOP

SHOP FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

By Mark Miller

THE NEW BOWLING COMBINE AT THE ITRCIN ARLINGTON, TEXAS, GIVES COLLEGE COACHESA WELL-ROUNDED LOOK AT THEIR PROSPECTSWHILE PROVIDING A STREAMLINED ANDEFFICIENT PROCESS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS.

Bowling scholarship prospects work on the psychological section of the evaluation.

T

38 IBI January 2013

gives you all the information about a student.”Most Combine competitors are high school juniors or

seniors. They participated in various on-lane drills, worked inthe ITRC's gym area and took computer tests to access what'sknown as the IT factor. “It's a balance of the athletes' knowledgeand on-lane versatility,” said ITRC and Team USA head coachRod Ross. “What's different here is we come up with a systemto compare year to year. We want to get away from just beingaverage based and more into skill measurment. The whole pointof the Combine is to obtain measureables from year to year.”

Athletes paid $100 with nearly 300 applying for the 108spots. It cost $50 for a college's first coach and $25 forassistants. Most schools sent one representative and some camefor the first time.

“We weren't here last year so we wanted to evaluate what'sgoing on,” said Lewis, a former Team USA member. “It helpsbut it's not a big sample size. It's tough to tell where everyoneis at. You know physically what you see which doesn't take twodays. You learn more talking to them.”

On-lane skill drills included speed control, release, patternplay and spare making. The ITRC's Computer Aided TrackingSystem (C.A.T.S.) was crucial in measuring speed, launch anglesand break points after players threw 10 fast and 10 slow shots.“The technology things they do to evaluate your skills are farbeyond anything I've seen in Denver,” said Jacob Lazear, asenior at Cherry Creek High School in a suburb of Denver. “Thethings they can measure here are incredible. Bowling at the ITRCwhere Team USA trains has been a dream since they opened(in 2010). Not everyone gets to do that.”

During the spare-making sessions, competitors took turnstrying to convert the 7-pin, 10-pin, buckets, washouts and 3-

10 baby splits. With just one player on each of the 14 lanes,it was easy to get plenty of work in during the 15-minuterotations. “The coaches can evaluate for the strengths andweaknesses of players, how they will fit into their programs andwhat they need to work on,” Ross said.

In the gym, USBC Sports Performance Specialist NickBohanan put players through a number of tests over two days.These included 12 minutes on a treadmill, functional movementscreening and exercises graded for the quality of movement,balance, grip strength, vertical jump and broad jump.

In the classroom, students took one test to measure basictrouble-shooting and problem-solving skills, another forbowling knowledge and a third as a personality profile. “Thepsychological part, as far as I know, nobody else does that,”Sparks said. “It puts us on a par with other sports which helpselevate us a little bit.”

The Combine was not just about what can be easilymeasured. “Attitude and the mindset to want to get better,that's big,” Lewis said. “That's what we're trying to measure.What's in there that drives you to greatness. That's a toughintangible to find.”

While the Combine was crucial for coaches, it was perhapsmore important for those competing. “It was a really goodexperience,” said Kendyll Dellinger, a junior at Porter Ridge HighSchool near Charlotte, North Carolina. “The different things theyhad us doing was fantastic. The technology they have here isamazing.” “I love it. It was a nice experience,” said Ashley Porter,a senior at Baltimore's Hereford High School. “Right now I'mjust trying to get my name out there and see what colleges areout there. I'd rather be a small fish in a big pond more than abig fish in a small pond.” “It helps me with what I need to workon in my game to bring it to the fullest,” said Marcus Stanley,in his second year at Pima Community College in Tucson,

The prospects are put through rigorous physical testing as part of the recruitment process.

A prospect reflects with coaches on the recruitment experience.

FEATURE

40 IBI January 2013

FEATURE

Arizona, after bowling for Tucson High School where he now is an assistant coach.“As I learn how to be a better bowler, I'm helping kids who don't know anything aboutbowling as a sport.”

And the kids had a lot to say about the ITRC program. “It's a lot of fun,” said KelsiAnderson, a junior at San Antonio's Communication Arts High School. “I found outa lot of what I need to work on, mainly spares.” “It's tiring but definitely a learningexperience,” said Paige Kranshaar, a senior at Boone Grove High School in CrownPoint, Indiana. “I need to improve being more consistent, especially on hitting mytarget.” Kranshaar's most interesting part definitely was the gym. “I wasn't thinkingbowling is that physically demanding, but it is,” she said. “Shooting shot after shotfor 15 minutes takes a toll. I'm still sore.”

While bowling doesn't offer theamount of scholarships as other sports,there's still decent money at stake.Vincennes, a junior college in Indianawhich only fields a men’s team, offers$65,000 in total scholarships. AlabamaState University gives the equivalent offive full $21,000 scholarships andArkansas State has five valued at$22,500. That's well over $100,000 each,and even though they can be split asmany ways as they like, coaches stillmust be picky whom they choose. “Ionly recruit kids with at least a 3.0 gradepoint average and a 20 on the ACT,” saidAlabama State Coach Andrew Chatmon.“We require 3.5 GPA and 24 ACT,”Kostick said.

Coaches could only meet players andtheir parents after Combine activitieswere complete at tables set up in ameeting room of the main building on theInternational Bowling Campus. Becauseof NCAA rules, junior girls could talk onlyto non-NCAA schools while seniors couldtalk to any school. Without NCAArestrictions, boys could meet with anycoach on the last day. Meeting face toface gave both the student and coachesthe chance to assess each other, perhapsthe truest advantage of the event.

“Meeting them in person is asimportant as how they bowl,” Chatmonsaid. “When you sit down and talk tothem, you find out how they interactwith their parents. Do they showrespect? Do they look you in the eye?When they get away from their parents,that's when you really find out what theyare like.”

With the Bowling Combine in placeand growing, the sport is headed in thedirection of any major collegiate sport.Maybe the next best NCAA atheletewill be a bowler! ❖

Mark Miller is a freelance writerfrom Flower Mound, Texas. He isthe national and Dallas-Fort Worthbowling writer for Examiner.comand a columnist for the BowlingNews Network.

A coach sitting down with a prospect and her family, discussing the process.

As we mark our 20th Anniversary, we want to take a momentto remember our visionary and founder Allen Crown.

42 IBI January 2013

first met the late Allen Crown in 1992,several months before he launchedInternational Bowling Industry Magazine.By nature I am a positive thinking person,

and certainly rarely a skeptic, but when Allentold me he was launching a new nationaland international bowling publication, I feltcompelled to jump in and explain to himjust how many start-up publications had failedwithin the first one or two years.

Allen had heard this many times beforeand was not in the least bit concerned. Afterhe patiently explained to me his concept forthe magazine, and how he had successfullylaunched and published similar publicationsin other industries, I realized he could wellbe on the right track with a winning idea:“Allen,” I said, “your idea just might work.”

About a year later I met with Allen at a trade show for theMilitary, staged in a downtown Denver, Colorado, hotel thatwas just walking distance from my home. By this time themagazine was well established and received by the industryat large. My interpretation was that the initial concept for themagazine was that it served as a seminar in print.

During that meeting in Denver, Allen asked me if I wouldbe interested in becoming one of the writers. I told him mywriting experience had been limited to writing marketingplans for AMF and putting together promotion programsand proprietor, instructor and pro-shop workshops forcenter employees.

“That’s exactly why I’m asking,” Allen responded, “Whencan you start?”

This was all new to me, but the short story, and more thana hundred and fifty published stories later, the good folksat International Bowling Industry are still letting me do it.But I could not have done it without Allen, who was not onlyconfident that I could deliver what the publication waslooking for but taught me how to do it.

What is interesting is that other contributors to themagazine, and also a couple of editors, said the samething: that they could not have done it without Allen. Hehad a special talent that’s for sure.

I recall I once wrote a “how-to” story about theimportance of the marketing mix (between advertising,

public relations, promotion, collateral print, etc.)and employee hiring skills and training, especiallyin the area of customer service and sales, andended the wash list with a comment to the effect:“if you succeed in all of these areas there wouldbe no need for a Bowling Proprietors Association.”

After filing the story, I thought about that andwondered if the comment was controversial, andcalled Allen. “Not a bit,” he said. “It’s a fact andit’s not a criticism of the BPAA. And, even if it’sinterpreted as being controversial, so be it.” Thestory ran “as is”, and there were no complaints.That’s the kind of support a writer appreciates. Itgives you confidence.

Allen’s mild-mannered and endearing personalitymade him, and International Bowling IndustryMagazine, many friends all over the world. Allen,we all miss you, but every month when I receivemy copy of the magazine, I feel like you are stillwith us. ❖

IBy Paul Lane

Paul Lane is former Director of Marketing andMarketing Services for AMF Bowling, Inc. He hasbeen the director of 18 AMF World Cups, anofficer in national and international tradeassociations, and a pro bowler during a careerthat spans more than 60 countries and 50 years.

MEMORY LANE

Scott Frager, with founder Allen Crown and his wife Tomiko, at Bowl Expo Hawaii 1994.

Mem

orie

s of

Alle

n C

row

nM

emor

ies

of A

llen

Cro

wn

44 IBI January 2013

DATEBOOK

JANUARY 201314-18Brunswick Training ClassesGS Series Pinsetter800-937-2695 orschools@brunbowl.com

21-25Brunswick Training ClassesVector Scorer Maintenance800-937-2695 orschools@brunbowl.com

27–30BPAA 2013 Bowling SummitMid-Winter Conference forProprietors, Managers & IndustryLeaders, Hyatt Regency atRiverwalk, San Antonio, TXwww.bpaa.com/Summit

MARCH11-15Brunswick Training ClassesGS Series Pinsetter800-937-2695 orschools@brunbowl.com

18-22Brunswick Training ClassesVector Scorer Maintenance800-937-2695 orschools@brunbowl.com

18-19Foundations EntertainmentUniversityEducational program designed forFEC owners and managersTo be held in conjunction withAmusement ExpoLas VegasInfo: foundationsuniversity.com

MAY6-10Brunswick Training ClassesGS Series Pinsetter800-937-2695 orschools@brunbowl.com

13-17Brunswick Training ClassesVector Scorer Maintenance800-937-2695 orschools@brunbowl.ocm

JUNE10-14Brunswick Training ClassesGS Series Pinsetter800-937-2695 orschools@brunbowl.com

20-22Amusement ExpoTrade ShowSponsored by AAMOA& AMOALas VegasConvention CenterExhibit info: Brian Glasgow708-226-1300 x 17brian@wtglasgow.com

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APRIL21–2371ST Annual BBIAConventionBeau Rivage Resort &CasinoBiloxi, MSInfo: 800-343-1329

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JULY15-19Brunswick TrainingClassesGS Series Pinsetter800-937-2695 orschools@brunsbowl.com

45IBI January 2013

SHOWCASE

ROCKIN’ PARTYTom Sims, owner of Fox Bowl inWheaton, IL recently purchased aProfit Platform®. The visual of astage on the lanes with liveperformers + staffers + customershaving a great time and an awesome sound and light show -with bowling is something Wheaton will be talking about forsome time. The Profit Platform® is manufactured in the U.S.A.by GKM Int'l using recycled LDPE composites. For more infor-mation visit the company's website www.profitplatform.biz orcall 310.791.7092 or email gordon@gkmintl.com.

ONLINE PLANNERThe iPlanner by Intercard takesonline scheduling to a new level. TheiPlanner system allows facility gueststo not only make event reservations,but to book specific facility resources to customize theirevent. The major benefit of the system is that it recognizesscheduling conflicts for those resources and provides alterna-tives. The iPlanner system is accessible to guests 24/7, whilethe iPlanner interface is customizable to any FEC. Visitwww.intercard.com for more information.

YOKE REPAIR KITThe kit by QubicaAMF is intendedas a temporary repair for most frac-tures in the 2683 Yoke. Installationcan be done inside the machinewith a minimum of downtime. After installing a new yoke, thekit may be retained for future use. If you have any problemsor questions, please call 866-460-QAMF(7263).

DISPOSAL RENTALSHOE ALTERNATIVEBowling Buddies Shoe Coversare fully functional, disposableshoe covers that are designedfor a single session of bowlingand are intended to replace the traditional rental shoe. Eachpair is individually wrapped and available in 3 sizes fitting 95%of all shoes. This packaging is specially designed to ensure thecustomer will be required to purchase a new pair each timethey bowl. Visit www.bowlingbuddiesshoecovers.com or call855-COVERS-0 for more information.

HELPFUL NEWSLETTERSSign up now to receive the BowlingCenter and/or Mechanics newslettersfrom Brunswick. An electronic emailversion of the Brunswick BowlingCenter and Mechanics’ Newsletters areavailable and published four times ayear. Visit brunswickbowling.com/register or scan the QRCode to sign-up so you don’t miss an issue. Each issue ispacked with relevant information you need to help you runyour business along with fun trivia and industry events.

ONLINE BARSUPPLIESStockTheBar.com – TheBar Store With So Much More! Shop for thousands of baraccessories and equipment at deeply discounted prices. You’llfind a huge selection of bottle openers, pour spouts, garnishtrays, bar stools, management books, training DVD’s, neonsigns, floor mats and just about anything you could possiblywant for your bar. Make sure to check out our websiteStockTheBar.com. We’re the guys for your bar supplies!

ENERGY SAVING LIGHTSNew high efficiency retrofit kits –fitsmost lights, easy to install! Take advan-tage of energy rebates, incentives andtax credits while they are still available.Please call Industrial Lighting andSound at (800) 875-9006 or visitwww.industriallightingandsound.com.

POWERFUL BEERThe TurboTap is a patented retrofit draft beer-dispensing device made from high-grade stain-less steel that slips over the end of a standardU.S. beer faucet. The standard TurboTap comesin three sizes to fit various draft beer towerconfigurations and glass configurations. Thisresults in a fill rate that can consistently beat 4 seconds perpint, minimizing waste and pouring a consistently good-looking, good-tasting, beer. Visit www.turbotapusa.com formore information.

46 IBI January 2013

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47IBI January 2013

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48 IBI January 2013

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on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: mike@bowlingscorer.com

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CENTER FOR SALE

NE MINNESOTA: Food, Liquor &Bowling. Established 8 lanes between Mpls& Duluth w/ large bar, dining room,banquet area. Two large Stateemployment facilities nearby. High sixfigure gross. Call Bryan (218) 380-8089.www.majesticpine.com.

ITEMS WANTED

“WANTED TO BUY” Older BowlingShirts. Paying $5 - $25 for button front shirtswith embroidery or ink lettering on the back.HicardVintage@gmail.com (866) 312-6166.

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50 IBI January 2013

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NEW YORK STATE: Thousand Islandregion. 8-lane Brunswick center w/ cosmicbowling, auto scoring. Established leagues+ many improvements. $309,000. Call Jill@ Lori Gervera Real Estate (315) 771-9302.

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51IBI January 2013

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SERVICES AVAILABLE

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Don't miss your chance to grow withan Industry Leader! Looking forExperienced, Service-OrientedGeneral Managers for our U.S.bowling retail center locations.Please check us out atwww.brunswickcareers.apply2jobs.com for more details on our currentopenings. Act Now! Apply Today!

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Seeking General Manager position—West Coast, Nevada, New Mexicoand/or Southern region. 40 years in theindustry—owner, GM & District Manager.Familiar with F&B, marketing, special eventsand youth programs. Has served on theIndiana BPA Board of Directors for 4 years.Resume and references available. RudyHinojosa (317) 590-5499 or email:rhbowl@yahoo.com.

CENTERS FOR SALE

POSITION WANTED

SALES POSITION WANTED: 25 yearsexperience; specializing in openbowling. References available. Maywork on commission. Kevin Malick(863) 602-4850.

EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA: 6-laneBrunswick center, bar & grill, drive-thruliquor store in small college town. Also, 3apartment buildings with 40 units, goodrental history. Call (701) 330-7757 or(701) 430-1490.

GEORGIA, Vadalia: 16-lane center. Lowdown payment; assume a SBA 4.75%interest loan. Will carry 2nd note on half ofdown payment. For additional info faxqualified inquiries to (912) 537-4973 or emaillmfastfoods@yahoo.com.

SOUTHWEST KANSAS: well-maintained8-lane center, A-2s, full-service restaurant.Includes business and real estate. Nice,smaller community. Owner retiring.$212,000. Leave message (620) 397-5828.

16-lane center in Southern Coloradomountains. Great condition. 18,000s/f building w/ restaurant & lounge.Paved parking 100 + vehicles.Established leagues & tournaments.$950,000 or make offer. Kipp (719) 852-0155.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TOSELL!! 8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, fullservice restaurant, pro shop. Plus pooltables, karaoke machine & DJ system.Asking $125,000.00 with RE. (217) 351-5152 or toms-uvl@sbcglobal.net.

NW KANSAS: 12-lane center, AS-80s,Lane Shield, snack bar, pro shop, game &pool rooms. See pics andinfo @ www.visitcolby.com or contactCharles (785) 443-3477.

MICHIGAN-SOUTH CENTRAL: Largecenter with late model equipment. Strongleague base plus high-volume franchise. REincluded. Sandy Hansell (800) 222-9131.

OREGON: 16 lanes near Portland with goodrevenue and cash flow. Ken Paton (503)645-5630.

WISCONSIN, Gilman: Profitable 6-lanecenter with bar & grill, pizza kitchen,banquet hall. Owner financing orlease/purchase possible. PRICE REDUCEDBY $50K (715) 447-8770 orgilmanbowl@centurytel.net.

IBI January 201352

1993 t has been twenty years sinceBowling Industry, aka InternationalBowling Industry and IBI, launchedits first publication.

Decade birthdays are a little scary asthey require reflection. IBI was the firstto direct its attention exclusively to

business, the hows and whys and ins and outs.Through the years, it came to realize that all ofthe events, the business theories and themarketing styles come down to people: behindevery good business is a hard working team. IBI’sgoal has been to meld the business and thepeople. That goal still remains. ❖

I

REMEMBER WHEN

PREMIERE ISSUE OF

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