>Collegiate level? Hmmmm, coached that too. Some of them still bowl, most do not. Reason they don't bowl, same as above.

I know I am in the minority I guess but who needs a reason to go bowling?  Only thing that has ever stopped me was my back and having problems for awhile finding a place that would leave the damn lights on.  Competition is fine but you can truly love the sport without it.  Open bowling eats up a significant number of my lunch hours.

Vote GTGT for USBC President, I'll solve all this shit.    

I have and its a waste of time trust me.It's the good ole boy system.You don't like what they do and bring it up.Your labeled as a trouble maker because they can't enforce simple rules because of being a bunch of P...ys.They are afraid to piss someone off.Just facts here in my town.

Well I suggest you and perhaps your friends or acquaintances that have issues with your local board run for said board, and implement the change(s) you're looking for. It's truly the only way to get what you want.

My opinion is the local boards do a good job. They've had a lot of responsibilities passed down to them by National USBC, like awards programs. 95% of your local board are unaid volunteers, and they do what they can.

A. I can show you facts, from the actual research the USGA did on the growth (and now decline)  of golf centering around Tiger but you go ahead & live in your little bubble

B. The bottom line is USBC does not know who their true customer is nor with the current regime care...Chad is more concerned of his image with his little circle and is too self absorbed abt his legacy and if that even means taking down the organization so be it

Rico you make a valid point about golf and Tiger. I use to watch golf a little bit and when Tiger hit the scene I watched it constantly.  Since the Tiger era is over I've hardly watched any of it. As for Chad he's got to be the biggest d**khead that has run the USBC.

I agree most with the point about the USBC in that it really does not serve it members other than the 1% of very high level bowlers. I would say 90% of it's members are recreational bowlers just looking to have some time out having a good time and I would argue that is who they should work hardest for if they want to keep them as members. Someone argued it is just a rule governing body like the USGA but I would argue that point in that only 10% of golfers actually pay for USGA membership. And it does not rely on recreation golfers that make up far majority of people who pay to play and have a good time to survive as an entity.

Solutions, now that is where I would contend the USBC as it is now will not survive as leagues slowly for the most part recognize there is little to no value in anything other than competitive leagues. What does it really provide for its members? I golf and have gotten a hole in one, broke 80 a few times, and none "sanctioned" by USGA. Have I lost anything by not being a member? Not really. I have bowled a few 300s with only 1 sanctioned and yes I did get the ring but please dont ask me where it is so if it wasnt sanctioned would it have mattered? In the end its just something to remember but not any more/less important if "sanctioned".

If the USBC really wants to survive as it currently exists I agree with Luke that it should work for the 90% and do things to make that sanction fee worth while. And then it could also work for the 10% of competitive bowlers separately. I would argue that USBC should have league programs for all the different levels of bowlers nationwide that it promotes and oversees. They can work with existing leagues/local associations where leagues are strong and on their own where leagues are not. How about nationwide tournaments that you are entered into while bowling your league for no extra cost getting a sponsor to take all the entries into a contest to win a car or something of value. Marketing is not my thing but the USBC should and could really work with the BPAA and in turn provide some benefits of membership for its customers.

just my ramble on

Bowling in a fall league is a commitment. I believe sanctioned league bowling should be a competitive environment(generally speaking).  It seems that nowadays many people looking for just a fun night out at bowling center are going to these "new" bowling/eating establishments where bowling is the sideshow to the food, or they are just doing one of these package deals at a traditional bowling center where they get shoes/bowling, pizza and soda for a certain price and not pinning themselves down to have to be at the bowling center at a certain time on a certain day of the week for a predetermined length of time. I like competition. I like the attempt to win---win a game---win a series--win a league.  I do recall seeing a bit of criticism over the years about how bowling is no longer being treated as a "sport" but as recreation, and now it seems the governing body wants to treat it as a sport, if I understood this conversation correctly, and that too is getting criticized.  Is there even a middle ground? 

Brad

Remember a few years back on the message boards when guys were constantly posting his bowling was dying because high scoring was ruining the game and taking away from it being a sport.  Now we see people blaming the low scoring environment in nationals for the decline.  Too easy?  Too hard?  There will always be an excuse when people get tired of doing something.  I prefer to note there are still a significantly large number of bowlers who like the game as a sport.  Certainly more than approach golf as a sport. 

Surprised that there are that many with established handicaps.  Not sure PGA membership is a relevant comparison.  If the only way to make money bowling was to be a PBA pro that membership would be significantly higher.