Purdue bowling league wins
title; diversity adds to fun
Executive Team wins first
title in three decades
By Keith Thomas
Editor
in Chief
Just about the time the spring semester was concluding,
the Purdue Bowling League's season was also coming to a close and the
Executive Team was claiming its first title in more than three decades.
The bowling league, which is in its 62nd year of
existence, is comprised of a wide variety of those involved with the
Purdue community. Faculty, staff, students, retirees and all spouses
are welcome to join the league, according to league president Mark Adams.
The league wasn't always so diversified, however.
Only three years ago, the league openly invited and accepted student
teams to join the league, which is something that Adams said made the
league a lot more fun.
"The faculty and staff members are having fun and
hopefully it's been enjoyable for the students too," said Adams.
The student participation in the bowling league
has increased over the last two years; jumping from only two teams in
the first year students were allowed in the league to six teams this
past season.
Although student involvement in the league continues
to increase, this past season was led by experience.
70-year-old Bill Pratt paced the Executive team
this year for its first victory since 1965 — a longer drought than
last year's Rose Bowl Boilermakers, who took 34 years to return to league
championship status.
"Well, I always have hopes of doing better," said
the modest Pratt, whose 172-pin average was tops of his No. 1 team.
Pratt, who is a benefits counselor at the staff
and personnel benefits office, is the only remaining member of the Executive
Team's 1965 championship team. Pratt, who first joined the league in
1959, has no intention of slowing down either.
"As long as I can throw the ball down the alley,
I'm going to do it," said Pratt, whose career high game is a 278.
Pratt, who has been the league's secretary for
20 years, was awarded this year's Dick Hadley Sportsmanship Award. The
other individual honor awarded this year went to J.C. Bilyeu for the
league's most improved bowler.
Teams, according to Pratt, can be made up of several
various combinations. Student teams don't have to be all students —
family members are encouraged to participate also — they can join
teams with faculty and staff also.
Adams said although the league is competitive,
everyone involved is in it for the same reason.
"The main purpose of the Purdue bowling league
is to have fun," said Adams. "And we do that."
The 30-week season, which begins in September and
concludes in late April, takes place at Arrowhead Lanes in Lafayette
every Monday night. The approximate cost is $9 per person each week.
This year's winning team, which finished with a
148-92 record, included Pratt (172-pin average), Shirley Drake (159),
William Griggs (158), Donna Fulkerson (132) and Rex Bowman (125).
The second-place Independents posted a 142-98 record
and team Rolling Thunder finished in third with a 138-102 record.
• For further information regarding the Purdue
Bowling League, call Pratt at 494-1692.
|
