South Central Wisconsin USBC

HISTORY OF SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN USBC BOWLING

Janesville Bowling Association

The first recorded minutes of the Janesville Bowling Association (JBA) found were for the meeting held on August 31, 1920. The meeting was held in the city hall and the presiding President James True called the meeting to order. The current balance in the treasury was $24.64. Elections were held and the results are as follows; President - Harry V. Ross; Vice-President - J. Hilgers; Secretary - H. M. Lampert; Treasurer - A. J. Nelson. On September 9, 1920 the new  constitution was read and approved with 15 rules. The rules were adopted from the American Bowling Congress. A rule 16 was added that stated each team had to post a forfeit of ($10.00) to be returned when they completed the season's schedule. Dues were 50 cents per person. A motion was made and passed at both meetings to give the janitor two dollars for 'services rendered'. The JBA is a men's only organization. One of the more unique standard rules found was that on four given dates each season, the bowling alley would provide new pins for league play. These pins were used only for their sanctioned leagues to ensure that the competition was of the highest integrity.

Janesville Women's Bowling Association

Lydia Kellogg initiated the chartering of the Janesville Women's Bowling Association (JWBA) in 1929, completing the process with a charter in 1930. The requirement was to meet a minimum membership requirement of thirty (30) women who were willing to pay dues to the National and State organizations. Active in the recruitment process was Mildred Warner, Nora Kay, Wilma Kay and a few others. Bowling was a very new sport in Janesville and it was deemed that the bowling alley was a questionable  establishment for women. The women under the presidency of Mildred Warner brought the Wisconsin State Women's Bowling Tournament to Janesville in 1935. The State Tournament had 164 teams participate at Cannon's with both doubles and singles held at Franklin Gardens. The JWBA is a women's only organization.

In 2001, the JWBA voted to change the name of their organization to the South Central Women's Bowling Association (SCWWBA) to better reflect our membership from Evansville, Edgerton, Milton and Janesville.

South Central Wisconsin USBC

During National Convention for the men (ABC) and the women (WIBC) in 2004, the delegates voted to merge. The Brodhead/Albany Women's Bowling Association held it's membership meeting and voted to merge with the Janesville Association. The Men and the Youth were already affiliated with the Janesville Association. All of the adult b owling entities voted to create the South Central Wisconsin USBC (SCWUSBC). The Youth had no vote. This organization includes all youth and adults from the Albany, Brodhead, Edgerton, Evansville, Janesville and Milton areas.

The SCWUSBC is operated by the SCWUSBC Board of Directors, known as the Board. The Board meets the 2nd Monday of the month unless canceled or postponed by the Board President. These meetings are closed unless a member requests to address the board.

Brodhead/Albany Women's Bowling Association

The Brodhead and Albany Women Bowler's history has not been provided as of the date of this printing.

Janesville Youth Bowling Association

The Janesville Youth Bowling Organization was chartered in 1953-1954. Evelyn Kettle initiated the organization and chartering of the youth program (AJBC). As was then the custom, the girls division was led by herself and the boys division was led by John Carson. The youth leagues were gender specific. It was not until the formation of Junior Youth Bowling Association (JYBA) that the leagues were comprised of both genders. The last national name change for the youth program was before the merger and they were re-branded as the Young American Bowlers Association (YABA). The JYBA provided services to the youth from Albany, Brodhead, Clinton, Edgerton, Evansville, Janesville and MIlton.

BOWLING CENTERS

Purpose of the SCWUSBC

CONTACT:

Association Manager - Renee Bennett - rcbennett1@hotmail.com