Bowlers Journal International - March 2008 - (Page 10)

BOWLITICALLYINCORRECT BY JIM DRESSEL WILL BPAA TAKE OVER USBC EVENTUALLY? That's the big question everybody seems to be asking these days. The answer? Depends who you ask. THE NEWS WASN'T EXACTLY A SURPRISE. ALMOST everybody in the industry knew the United States Bowling Congress was exploring the notion of moving its headquarters building to another locale and was open to the idea of sharing office space with the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America. However, the decision wasn't expected to be made until April 1. So the USBC jumped the gun by a couple of months when it announced in Myrtle Beach, S.C., that it would be moving to Arlington, Texas, by the end of the year, presuming it could clear all the hurdles. In short order, the BPAA Board added its own "amen" to the idea, and the notion of shared office space was on its way followed in short order by the conjecture posed by the headline at the top of this column. Most of those who thought the answer was "yes," didn't want to go on the record. Said one person, as an example, "I don't think there's any 'eventually' about it." Another said, "Yes," and reminded us that BPAA had threatened to take over the responsibilities of the Congress not so long ago if USBC didn't comply with the proprietors' wishes. But let's not forget that the BPAA backed off that threat. USBC President Jeff Bojé remembers that time well. "About half of the proprietors thought ABC and WIBC were irrelevant, and if the proprietors did their job, they could do it better but there was no gold in those hills. "Today, BPAA wants to grow the sport, like USBC, but they want to do that to increase the profitability of their centers which is why the BPAA will never be bowling's savior. They have different missions, which is why it's good to have a separate governing body." Syndicated writer and PBA Historian Chuck Pezzano understands the "takeover" talk, but realizes the organizational limitations of that idea, and dismisses the notion. "The signs have been that BPAA willl exert greater pressure along the way, though, and I don't think that's a completely bad thing." Roger Dalkin, USBC's ex-CEO, is on the same page. "The ultimate answer is 'No,' because each group has very different goals. But the caveat is that I believe BPAA will try to exert some influence over USBC. [ABC, WIBC and USA Bowling] coming together made sense, but the USBC merging with BPAA? not going to happen." Naturally, BPAA President Joe Schumacker sees the cohab10 bowlers journal international MARCH 2008 itation in terms of integrating the functions of USBC with the functions of BPAA, and nothing more. "The mission of USBC will always be different than the mission of the BPAA." "I believe USBC was founded to serve a purpose that BPAA really can't provide in its present form," echoed Mark Martin, Association Manager of the Metro Detroit USBC. "They're governed by two different boards, and two different governance structures. The one thing both groups have in common is their role to increase the number of bowlers in our centers. But an eventual merger? I don't believe so." "In terms of a 'takoever,' as you put it, the two groups may jointly take over a lot of their functions," added Gary Beck of "Killer B" Promotions, "but if they share working quarters, I would hope that the hallway between the two groups is rather long insofar as BPAA having influence on the sport. "And as far as BPAA taking over rules and specifications, I don't think that's a possibility nor do I think they should." The thought is amened by "The Phantom," a.k.a. Lenny Nicholson. "Bowling needs a separate governing body to set the rules and guidelines. Bowling proprietors are too diversified to manage each other. "The NFL is a good model to follow. There is the league office, there are the owners, and then there are the players. They complement each other wonderfully with their chain-ofcommand. Yes, they have problems, but they are all dealt with systematically." The USBC's #2 man, Jack Mordini, spelled out some of the conflicting elements that would prevent a takeover. "BPAA is a 501(c)6 trade organization, we are a not-for-profit 501(c)3, which are very different functions in the eyes of the IRS. I doubt that BPAA would even want to take over many of the things involving the rules of the game and its governance. "My crystal ball? I foresee merging of operations like warehousing, support mechanisms, printing, purchasing, IT functions, mailing, etc., etc. But the bowling-related functions of both groups would remain separate." "The energy of a common headquarters building can create a new energy about the sport and the game," added Bojé, "and that energy can bring about a better future. It doesn’t guarantee it, but it makes it more likely. However, just because we gain efficiency doesn’t mean we’re going to fix our problems. It just gives us the best opportunity to create an environment where that [fix] is more likely." Leave it to Kevin Dornberger to come up with a completely different take on a shared Headquarters. "Did you ever think that maybe our goal is to take over the BPAA?" said the USBC Interim Operating Officer. Yes, he was kidding, but he did note that maybe everybody was jumping to the wrong conclusion because, in fact, the USBC has 195 employees compared with 30 for the BPAA. "In the end, they’re a trade organization, and we’re an association with different purposes. There’ll be some interesting things to watch if, in fact, the BPAA wants to take us over. But as far as I’m concerned, that’s not a possibility." Sounds reasonable to me.

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Bowlers Journal International - March 2008 Contents Leading Off Letters Bowlitically Incorrect Par Bowling The Coach Calendar Inside Line Tournaments The Truth Be Bowled Pro Bowling Back On Track Weber Tales Spares Do Matter Cover Story Up Close USBC Women's Time Capsule Flashback Strategy Session Guest Column Regional Roundup Team USA Trials Military Salute Global Guide No Holes Barred Marketplace Bowling Summit Museum Update Hall Marks Advertisers' Index Rememberance Classified Advertising Intelligencer Business Calendar Business People Strikes Me

Bowlers Journal International - March 2008

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