The United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors voted unanimously to release the deed of trust on the property owned by the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, giving the Hall of Fame the right to move to a new location.
Over the past year, the IBM/HF has been in discussions with developers in St. Louis regarding redeveloping the Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame within the proposed entertainment complex of Ball Park Village, a project of the Cordish Group and the St. Louis Cardinals. Just this week, the USBC and BPAA submitted a formal proposal for the Hall of Fame to move to Arlington into a facility being purchased by USBC and BPAA. This new alternative, which is being analyzed and clarified, is also near a developing entertainment complex, as well as numerous sports and entertainment venues.
"I believe moving the Hall of Fame to Arlington would be a great addition to our efforts to bring numerous integers under one roof" said Jeff Boje, President of the USBC. "We certainly hope the Museum's Board agrees, but we will respect any decision that it makes." IBM/HF President, Pat Ciniello, was relieved to receive the release of the deed of trust. "Now the real work begins as the Museum's Board of Trustees weighs its options for the Hall of Fame. We are fortunate to have two great new locations from which to choose." A decision by the IBM/HF Board regarding the facility's location is expected in about 60 days.
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame collects and preserves the rich history of bowling, and uses that information to help promote the sport worldwide.
Bowling enthusiasts across the country are abuzz about two major real estate developments that could have significant impact on the game of bowling. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) announced recently that it will move its headquarters to Arlington, Texas to form a major bowling complex. The International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame trustees voted to move forward on a proposed new Bowling Hall of Fame cited for development in St. Louis.
"I believe that these two major developments could be the best things to happen to the bowling industry in years," said Pat Ciniello, Chairman of the Hall of Fame Board. "Our trustees fully support the USBC's decision to move to Texas and create a centralized administrative facility for the sport. We are also excited about the potential of redeveloping the Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame within the proposed entertainment complex of Ball Park Village, a project of the Cordish Group and the St. Louis Cardinals."
Ball Park Village is a development to be built adjacent to the new Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. The Village will be showcased as an entertainment area, complete with retail shops, restaurants, hotels and condominiums. Its projected annual attendance of nine million people will give the game of bowling tremendous exposure through the Museum/Hall to young and old alike. Ball Park Village hopes to break ground this year.
The St. Louis deal includes:
- Demolition of the current facility.
- A new Museum/Hall of Fame, constructed within Ball Park Village entertainment facility.
- Interactive exhibits, theater, grand staircase and gift shop.
- $8.9 million in project costs fully funded by sources other than the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame and the bowling industry.
- Ownership of the facility (other project entities will be tenants).
- Projected attendance that is more than double that of the present location and exposure to potential new players.
- Tremendous exposure for the industry that compliments the proposed Texas facility
A snag that is complicating the Museum/Hall move is a January 21 decision to deny the request of the Hall of Fame Board to transfer the "Deed of Trust," stemming from a long-term note USBC has with the Hall of Fame to pursue the project with Ball Park Village. The USBC has indicated that they would like the Museum/Hall to be moved to the new Arlington, Texas complex.
"While we were disappointed with the initial decision by the USBC to deny our request, we are optimistic about future discussions of various options," explains Ciniello. "We have offered to build a satellite Hall of Fame in the Arlington facility that we think would be a great compliment to the complex." Cinello added that he is interested in pursuing additional conversations with the USBC board of directors, and he is optimistic that they will reconsider its decision. "We invite anyone who is interested in the Hall to contact us and learn more about the project in St. Louis. We believe the idea of receiving outside money, rather than using industry dollars to build a state-of-the-art new facility within such an exciting project, is very satisfying and a real boost for the future of the bowling business."
Ciniello and the Museum/Hall trustees are committed to staying in St. Louis and realizing the amazing opportunity they have to be a part of such an exciting development. "St. Louis is experiencing a significant social and economic renaissance and is poised to become a powerhouse in the Midwest and an important tourist destination. With an impressive facility in Arlington and one in St. Louis, the bowling industry is making a strong stand that we are a growing force in the sports world."
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame collects and preserves the rich history of bowling, and uses that information to help promote the sport worldwide.
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame was honored by the International Sports Heritage Association with a First Place Communications Award for 2007. The award was presented at the Association's annual conference, held this year at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon, Georgia. Dr. Gerald Baltz, Executive Director of IBM/HF, accepted the award on behalf of the Museum.
Communications Awards are presented annually by the International Sports Heritage Association, recognizing seven categories of accomplishment. The Bowling Museum was honored in the Educational/Public Programming Materials category for its Education Program Information Card. The card is a die-cut ball and pin design, describing the educational activities the Museum offers for youth group field trips, and is distributed to educators and youth organization leaders.
"We felt it was important to design a piece that instantly caught the attention of today's overworked educators, that gave them succinct descriptions of the great programs we offer, and reminded them just how much fun bowling is for all ages," said Sandy Ellebracht, Director of Visitor Services for the Museum. "We were very pleased to be recognized by ISHA in this endeavor."
The International Sports Heritage Association, with 120 member organizations representing five continents, is dedicated to helping member institutions better preserve history and educate future generations on the importance of sport as history. The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame collects and preserves bowling’s history for education, promotion and entertainment today and in the future.
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that final accounting figures show the 2007 Salute to Bowling netted $108,770 for the Museum.
Salute to Bowling, held at Bowl Expo in June, is the Museum's major fundraiser. Its highlights are the live and silent auctions, which this year featured such treasures as an original Mort Luby oil painting, vacation packages, various autographed items, and a rare 1904 edition of the Bowling Encyclopedia. This year's Salute was the third most successful since the annual event's inception in 1990, and netted the largest sum since 1994.
ST LOUIS, MO – At the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, five members were re-elected to three-year terms, and several members assumed new responsibilities on the Board's Executive Committee.
Members of the Executive Committee accepting new positions are Pat Ciniello (QubicaAMF Worldwide LLC) as President/Chairman of the Board; Keith Hamilton (Luby Publishing) as Vice President/Vice Chairman; and Bob Gudorf (Classic Products) as Secretary. Terry Brenneman (Bowler's Supply, Inc.) continues his service to the Committee as Treasurer. Bill Chrisman (Storm Bowling Products) continues in his role as Member-at-Large, along with new electees Ted Baer (Alan Baer & Associates) and Wally Hall (Proprietor, Annapolis Bowl).
Re-elected to the Board of Trustees and agreeing to serve through 2010 were Ferdi Janka (Sporting Park Engelberg), and Jerry Ray (Family Sports, Inc.), along with Ciniello, Chrisman, and Hall.
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame collects and preserves the rich history of bowling, and uses that information to help promote the sport worldwide.
For more information about the Museum, you may call 1-800-966-2695.
ST LOUIS, MO - A Caribbean Vacation package, tickets to the 2008 Super Bowl, a Professional Bowlers Association tour event exemption and a Mort Luby painting featuring bowling legend Andy Varipapa were among the intriguing auction items that helped generate approximately $100,000 for the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame at the 2007 Salute to Bowling. The annual fundraiser, held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in conjunction with the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America International Bowl Expo, also saw the induction of former major league baseball pitcher Tom Candiotti into the Celebrity wing of the Bowling Hall of Fame.
"We're thrilled with the money generated from this year's event," Salute chairperson Keith Hamilton said, "and we appreciate the generosity of the more than 400 bowling enthusiasts who attended."
"We also recognized that all was not perfect at the 2007 Salute," Hamilton continued. "We were especially disappointed with the food presentation and the auction checkout procedures, and the committee already is working to significantly improve these areas for Salute 2008."
Candiotti, whose nearly impossible-to-hit knuckleball carried him through 16 seasons in the major leagues, was recognized for his continued promotion of bowling through mainstream media. Candiotti, a radio analyst for the Arizona Diamondbacks, is also an accomplished bowler, carrying a 200+ average and boasting a sanctioned 300 game in March of this year.
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame collects and preserves the rich history of bowling, and uses that information to help promote the sport worldwide.
For more information about the Museum or its Salute fundraiser, call us at 1-800-966-2695.
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame President and Board Chairman William T. Scheid (President, Ebonite International) announced that the Museum's Board has added three new members: Proprietor and former BPAA President Jeff Bojé; President of Brunswick Bowling and Billiards, Warren Hardie; and PBA CEO and Commissioner, Fred Schreyer.
Jeff Bojé is co-owner and operator of his family-owned bowling centers: Brandon Crossroads Bowl in Tampa, Florida, and Sunset Lanes in St. Louis, Missouri. Bojé recently completed two terms as president of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America. Before serving as President, he previously held a number of leadership roles within the BPAA, including serving as Secretary-Treasurer and Vice-President and will remain on the BPAA Board of Directors until 2010 as past president. He was the 2000 recipient of the BPAA's Special Projects Award for his work on the BPAA's new strategic plan. Additionally, Jeff serves on the boards of the National Bowling Forum, the Bowling Foundation, the United States Bowling Congress, and Strike Ten Entertainment. Away from bowling, Bojé is a certified public accountant.
Warren Hardie is the President of Brunswick Bowling and Billiards. Hardie began his career with Brunswick in 1997 as senior vice president of operations for the Brunswick Indoor Recreation Group. In 1998, Hardie was promoted to President of Brunswick Bowling Retail where he oversaw operations and management of over 100 Brunswick-owned bowling centers worldwide. Most recently, when Hardie became the president of Brunswick Bowling & Billiards, he added the bowling and billiards product groups to his responsibilities. Prior to his tenure at Brunswick, Hardie was president of Kettle Restaurant and held various positions of increasing responsibilities at Denny's, Inc. including Vice President of International Operations.
Fred Schreyer is the PBA Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Schreyer oversees all aspects of the PBA's business operations and maintains primary responsibility for the negotiation of sponsorship agreements and financial arrangements. Schreyer has been with the PBA full-time since October of 2002, when he became Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, but he has been affiliated with the league since September of 2000 as its legal counsel. Schreyer has over 25 years in the sports industry including Director of Sports Marketing at Nike, and the founder of Nike's Sports Management division. Schreyer was a member of the law firm of Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman in Beverly Hills before moving on to Nike. He was the Founding Partner and Owner of Pyramid Sports in which he served as a consultant to many of the leading companies in the sports business.
The induction of retired professional football player, Jerome Bettis, into the Celebrities Bowling Hall of Fame highlights the 2006 Salute to Bowling, the annual fundraiser for the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. This year's event, sponsored by Budweiser, will be held on June 28th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton as part of the International Bowl Expo.
Bettis's induction into this new Hall of Fame will be the centerpiece of this casual, yet elegant event. This will be the first induction ceremony for this new Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame, which was created by the BPAA and Strike Ten and approved by the Board of Trustees of the International Bowling Museum, honors celebrities from outside of the world of bowling who by their public actions and comments have increased the general public's positive awareness of bowling.
In addition to the induction ceremony, the Salute to Bowling will feature a cocktail party, live music, a live and silent auction, and cash attendance prizes.
The time is now to purchase $100 tickets to this gala! All proceeds benefit the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame and a portion of your ticket is tax-deductible. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Jerry Baltz by phone at 800-966-2695, ext. 404; or by e-mail at jerryb@bowlingmuseum.com. Tickets are also available through registration for Bowl Expo. Simply check "Salute" in the registration booklet or on-line at www.bowlexpo.com.
The IBM/HF, located in St Louis, MO, USA, preserves bowling's international history and utilizes its collection to help promote the sport.
Businessman/proprietor Ted Baer and AMF Bowling executive Merrell Wreden have joined the Board of the International Bowling Museum, announced Museum President and Board Chairman William T. Scheid (President, Ebonite International).
Baer is CEO of Alan Baer and Associates of Omaha, NE. The company's present investments include the Tri-City Storm hockey team of the USHL and Thunderbowl of Council Bluffs, IA. He also serves as a director of the Alan and Marcia Baer Foundation. Baer has been an avid league bowler since 1971, honored as Omaha Junior Bowler of the Year in 1975, and later inducted into both the Omaha and Nebraska halls of fame. He has bowled 18 sanctioned 300 games and 12 sanctioned 800 series. In 1995 Baer sponsored and organized the first arena finals of the PWBA, and Thunderbowl has been the site of numerous PBA national and regional tournaments.
Wreden is Vice President of Marketing for AMF Bowling Centers, Inc. He joined AMF in 1996, bringing more than 20 years experience in marketing, sales and communications to the company. His current duties include responsibility for all bowling center marketing, customer satisfaction measurement programs and group event sales for the company, which is the world's largest owner and operator of bowling centers. He also supervises AMF's vending and amusement business. Wreden has served on the BPAA's Board of Directors, and presently works on a number of committees of that Board. He also continues as a participant in the USBC's National Bowling Forum.
The IBM/HF, located in St Louis, MO, USA preserves bowling's international history and utilizes its collection to help promote the sport.
