By DAVE SCHROEDER
USBC Communications
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress will create a USBC Collegiate Hall of Fame recognizing individuals in three categories and featuring an inaugural induction class in April 2024.
The first collegiate bowling championships were contested in 1975 in Dayton, Ohio, and the sport as grown on the collegiate level to more than 4,000 student-athletes on nearly 300 college and university campuses. Each year, more than 150 certified tournaments are held across the country to showcase these student-athletes and programs.
USBC Collegiate currently oversees and conducts the Intercollegiate Team and Singles Championships. The top 80 men’s and top 64 women’s collegiate teams compete in regional events for the right to advance to the ITC. Individual champions are crowned at the ISC.
The creation of a USBC Collegiate Hall of Fame will honor the sport’s collegiate history by inducting deserving candidates in one of three categories: Student-Athlete, Coach and Contributor. The eligibility criteria for each category are:
Student-Athlete:
- Completion of at least two seasons as a collegiate member with nomination eligibility beginning 10 years after an individual’s last year in USBC Collegiate competition.
- Selected at least once as an NCBCA or IBMA All-American or at least twice as an NTCA, NAIA or Club All-American.
- If a student-athlete does not meet the criteria above, the nominee’s individual tournament results, performance in national championship events and post season awards will be considered.
Coach:
- Eligible for nomination after 20 years of active coaching. If an individual coaches less than 20 years, they will become eligible for nomination after their years of coaching and time after coaching equals 20.
- Must have served as a coach (head or assistant) for a minimum of 10 seasons.
- Must have coached teams with a final season power ranking (if coached during this era) in the top 10 for a minimum of five seasons.
- Must have qualified for their respective national championship a minimum of five times.
Contributor:
- Must have demonstrated significant contribution to college bowling. Examples include:
- Service on NCBCA or other affiliate (NJCAA, NTCA, NAIA, CTBCA, USBC Collegiate Advisory Committee) boards/committees.
- Served as a tournament director.
- Served in a national USBC Collegiate leadership/administrative role or made multiple significant financial/in-kind contributions to USBC Collegiate or their events.
- Must have distinguished himself/herself through outstanding service in collegiate bowling. These individuals shall be persons who have demonstrated service, ideals, contributions, and achievements above and beyond the ordinary to the sport.
The USBC Collegiate Hall of Fame will be a function of the USBC Collegiate Division. Governance shall be by the USBC Collegiate Hall of Fame Committee, which will consist of a total of 13 individuals comprised as follows:
Five USBC representatives appointed by the USBC Collegiate Advisory Committee.
Four current USBC Hall of Fame members. All four shall be appointed by the Chair of the USBC Hall of Fame Committee.
Four members of the bowling writing community with a minimum 10 years of experience as recommended by recognized national bowling writer organizations.
Any person may submit nominations, along with the nominee’s qualifications and achievements. The nomination process for the inaugural class will begin in the summer of 2023.
For more information on the USBC Collegiate Hall of Fame, please visit: