Last March, Chris Peters, a true bowling fan, and two other former Microsoft buddies, stepped up to the plate and announced the purchase of the practically defunct PBA. This was, by far, the most encouraging news to come out of PBA Commissioner Mark Gerberich's office. It signalled an end to the PBA's financial woes and provided a glitter of hope for the future.
I, like many others, did not expect any immediate miracles. But to date, the only significant news released from the new ownership was the disclosure of Ian Hamilton as commissioner and Steve Miller as president of the PBA. Later, we were informed of the resignation of former Commissioner Mark Gerberich—news that was neither inspirational or comforting. Mark Gerberich was truly a dedicated PBA employee, committed to the association and going to all lengths to keep it afloat, even at the risk of surrendering his leadership role.
The mention of Ian Hamilton and Steve Miller, two former Nike bigwigs, is impressive, but I have vivid recollections of Nike's involvement in bowling during the '80s. The "just do it" company plucked Marshall Holman as its spokesman for bowling shoes, bags, and shirts. At the time, it seemed like the addition of a such an imposing company to the game would be a boom to the bowling industry. But, despite the fact that thousands of Nike shoes, bags, and shirts were distributed throughout the country, Nike, whose unit sales were measured in millions, deemed it a failure and eliminated bowling from its product shelves.
Are these geniuses aware of the seemingly feeble impact bowling made on the Nike brain trust?
Are they aware of the obstacles and predicaments that have plagued the PBA?
Do they have the "connections" to secure television packages that guarantee standard time slots or will bowling diehards be subjected to taped segments whose results have appeared in the newspaper and/or online?
Will they make wholesale and drastic changes that would alter the image of the PBA?
For example, the new PBA regime contemplated a plan that featured 12 players, heroes as well as villainous types, to increase fan appeal much like the World Wrestling Federation.
Also unsettling was a hint from new Commissioner Ian Hamilton that there may be some changes in store for the way future Hall of Famers are selected. Would potential Hall of Famers be upset that they were dickering with the tradition of the PBA Hall?
Erratic airline schedules prevented me from appearing at the PBA Hall of Fame ceremonies that have been tarnished since the Brunswick Corporation's takeover of the Tournament of Champions. Credit must be given to Brunswick, though, for rescuing the Tournament of Champions after the General Tire Company decided not to take the option on its second year.
Brunswick's participation, however, was not as benevolent as one might suspect: In assuming sponsorship of the Tournament of Champions, they dropped the Brunswick World's Invitational Championship, a prestigious event that attracted players from all over the world.
The Brunswick Corporation really outdid itself this year, catering one of the most unique and outstanding banquets ever presented. It featured foods from numerous parts of the world, but, unfortunately, in tying together the "T of C" and the Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame ceremonies became "second fiddle" on the Brunswick banquet program.
The unification of these two prestigious events marked the beginning of the watered-down version of the true Tournament of Champions. It permitted players from foreign countries and members of Team USA to engage in competition with PBA champions, thus relegating it to a status less than originally designed.
The attendance at Lake Zurich, Ill., was, except for the final match game squad, sparse. At Akron, Ohio, the original host city of the Tournament of Champions, every session was sold out weeks before the tournament started.
At Lake Zurich, the fans were rather unresponsive. Akronites were vocal and spirited, and enthusiasm reigned supreme at legendary Riviera Lanes.
The lackluster atmosphere was particularly noticeable in the press room. In Akron, 20 to 30 bowling writers from all over the country had access to phones, typewriters, and allotted spaces for filing stories. A huge tote board was updated after every game. Regular press conferences were conducted after every session, featuring the top five players in the standings.
The press room at this year's Tournament of Champions was, except for a local publication, bare and manned principally by the PBA tournament staff.
The PBA Tournament of Champions is the crown jewel of bowling. It is the showcase of champions, the dream and ambition of all PBA players. It is the most coveted title in the bowling world. The Tournament of Champions, together with the PBA Hall of Fame ceremonies, are PBA traditions and must be reestablished to their sacred status.
Ian Hamilton and Steve Miller are in a great position to make this happen.
John Jowdy, a member of the ABC and PBA Halls of Fame, is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.