Please help to get High School bowling recognized as an UIL sport in Texas. Currently, it is considered a club activity, although many schools fail to recognize they have a bowling team. Additionally, many students and parents don't even know that bowling exists at their schools. And, unfortunately, high school bowling is subjected to unfair treatment by many schools because it is not an UIL activity. Such examples include:

1.  Little to no recognition during school announcements.

2.  Bowling teams' pictures not included in the yearbook.

3.  Unable to pass out flyers or put up posters in school.

4.  No athletic period for conditioning and/or practice.

5.  No school transportation provided to/from practices and matches.

6.  Students often have to miss bowling because their teachers/coaches of other school activities will not excuse them to attend an activity that is not UIL recognized.

7.  No monetary support from school for out-of-town travel expenses to the state championships and all-district.

8.  Uniforms are not provided by the school.  Bowlers have to buy their own uniforms and pay a participation fee every year.

These are just a few of the challenges that Texas high school bowling has to endure. Furthermore, becoming UIL will also allow for students grades to be included on the Eligibility List every grading period to ensure they maintain eligibility to participate. Regardless, the Texas High School Bowling Club (THSBC), our governing body, has always abided by the UIL rules and will continue to do so, to the best of its ability, despite their not being recognized by UIL.

Lastly, what many may not realize is that bowling involves much more than just throwing a ball down the lane. It requires knowledge of oil patterns, various equipment, footwork, hand positions, mental game, endurance, consistency, weather factors, power, speed, and sportsmanship, just to name a few. Bowling is just as difficult to master as any other sport, so why not give it the recognition it deserves? Help us change the future of this sport.

This petition will be presented before the Texas UIL committee at their annual meeting in Austin on June 12, 2012. If you support our efforts to make Texas High School Bowling a recognized UIL sport, please add your signature below.

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