Bowlers Journal International - February 2008 - (Page 88) INTELLIGENCER ANTIGO PIN PLANT KAPUT Brunswick shifts its pin production to QubicaAMF's plant in N.Y., the U.S.'s last wood pin manufacturing site. NO MORE BOWLING PINS WILL BE made in Wisconsin. Brunswick closed its Antigo facility on Jan. 14 by switching its pin production to QubicaAMF's plant in Lowville, N.Y. "The industry has more capacity to provide pins than it can support," explained Warren Hardie, President of Brunswick Bowling & Billiards. "By utilizing contract manufacturing, Brunswick will be able to better focus its efforts on serving customers in the global bowling products market." Brunswick said it will continue to sell bowling pins. QubicaAMF’s Lowville plant is the last manufacturing site for wooden bowling pins in the U.S. Hardie said that Brunswick will continue to offer both its Brunswick and Vulcan brands of pins to the worldwide bowling center market. The move is not unprecedented. Over the years, the firm has outsourced or moved its production of bowling shoes, bags and other items. The closing of the Antigo plant was accompanied by a corresponding loss of 70 jobs. cused and enhanced USBC's communications efforts to better promote the sport as a whole. “Tom was chosen because he has been a valuable asset to bowling for many years,” said BBIA Executive Director Bill Supper. “He has promoted bowling in the press both in the U.S. and abroad." The 2008 award will be presented in Cancun, Mexico, on May 13. GRAHAM RETURNS Brian Graham, former Director of College Bowling USA, has returned to Greendale, Wis., to serve as Director of Youth Development. Graham, 34, Brand Manager for Hammer Bowling since 2004, began his new assignment Jan. 28. “Look at what he did for the collegiate program, and for Hammer,” said Kevin Dornberger, Interim COO for USBC. “Things are not as successful as we’d like them to be in the youth area. I like the guy’s resurrection skills, and it’s time for one here.” Added Graham, “My past experience as Director of Collegiate Bowling was unbelievable… it was a great time for me, and very special.” The recently created position includes implementing and leading new youth development programs, enhancing current programs and maintaining relationships with outside entities such as the BPAA, PBA and community groups. One of Graham’s former bosses, Bob Reid, knows he is losing a good man, but on another level, he couldn’t be happier. “There’s no question Brian did a great job managing the Hammer brand,” said Ebonite’s Vice President of Marketing, “but this appears to be a higher calling for Brian. Maybe now they’ll have somebody up there who’ll get things done. Frankly, I think he can do the industry a whole lot of good.” NEW COACHES' HALL In order to spread the word about the Skills Center concept and its potential profitability to bowling center operators, a new award is being created to recognize the role bowling coaches and instructors will play in building a new core of committed bowlers. This new award offshoot of the Skills Center will be controlled by a task force, which is being formed to develop criteria and annually review candidates. It also will explore the possible creation of a bowling coaches/instructors hall of fame. Jimmy Sturm, BPAA PresidentElect, will serve as Chairman of this TOM CLARK GETS HONOR new task force. He will be assisted Tom Clark, USBC Vice President of by Dave Garber, USBC Co-Director Marketing and Communications, of Coaching; Susie Minshew, IBPSIA has been named President; Bob Rea, the Industry Service Director of Coaching Award recipient for for The Dick Ritger 2008 by the Billiard & Academy; Kelly BedBowling Institute of nar, Director of the America. It is BBIA’s STE Skills Center; highest award, preand bowling scribes sented annually to Dick Evans and Jim those whose contriGoodwin. Award appbutions to either the lications were to be bowling or billiards available February industries have been 1. The first recipient deemed to be outwill be recognized at standing. Since movInternational Bowl ing from USA Today Expo 2008 in Orlando on June 23 during in April 2005, Clark that morning’s indus— who was named BJI’s 2005 Person of try awards presentaClark to receive BBIA's top award. the Year — has refotion. 88 bowlers journal international FEBRUARY 2008 MORE RENO BOWLING? Station Casinos is expected to announce later this year when it will begin construction on two proposed resorts in south Reno, Nev. One would be near the Atlantis Hotel Casino and the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, and involve an 8-acre site with up to 500 hotel rooms. The other site, near the Mount Rose Highway and the Summit Mall, could open with 300 hotel rooms, with plans to expand to 600. There is no word on whether
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