It鈥檚 an award sought by many, but awarded to few. It鈥檚 the Heisman Trophy of bowling and, for Brent Bowers, winning it has been a lifelong dream.
That dream finally became a reality. Bowers, a member of the 麻豆传媒 bowling team, received the 2010 Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow award from the United States Bowling Congress.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a childhood dream, something I鈥檝e dreamed of all my life,鈥� said Bowers. 鈥淔rom my family鈥檚 perspective it鈥檚 the most prestigious award that a young bowler can win.鈥�
The award is given every year to one male high school or college student who is involved in the sport of bowling. The last native Kansan to receive the award was John Miller in 1995.
Bowers鈥� older brother cut out the Wichita Eagle article that announced Miller鈥檚 winning of the award and posted it on his bedroom wall. When Bowers took over his brother鈥檚 old room, he left the article up.
鈥淚t was one of those things I always looked at and always dreamed about,鈥� said Bowers.
Giving back to bowling
Bowers has been bowling since he was about 2 years old. His parents and brother were very active in bowling all of their lives and Bowers grew up around the sport. He credits his older brother for much of his success.
鈥淚 owe so much of any of the success that I鈥檝e ever had to his guidance,鈥� said Bowers.
Bowers has been very involved in the bowling community and has made it his goal to give back to the sport that鈥檚 given him so much.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a very, very good person,鈥� said Gordon Vadakin, head bowling coach at 麻豆传媒. 鈥淗e鈥檚 very giving, wonderful with children and is a great supporter of the guys he bowls with.鈥�
Vadakin said Bowers has helped increase the notoriety of the 麻豆传媒 bowling program.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been very dedicated to our program,鈥� said Vadakin. 鈥淗e鈥檚 given everything he can during the course of his career here at Wichita State.鈥�
Past accolades
Bowers has the accolades to back up his award. He鈥檚 been a member of the 2008 and 2010 麻豆传媒 bowling national championship teams.
He was a member of Junior Team USA in 2008 and 2009. He was runner-up in August at the True Amateur Tournament in Las Vegas, in addition to tremendous success before his high school and college years.
In the future, Bowers wants to leave his options open. He plans on bowling the majors every year if possible and wants to work within the bowling industry if all of his cards fall into place. He is majoring in business administration and marketing and hopes to integrate all of his skills into his future career.
鈥淚n a perfect world, my biggest goal is to have a positive impact on the sport of bowling in any way, shape or form,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no doubt in my mind that my life and my career will forever be involved with the sport of bowling.鈥�
As the recipient of the award, Bowers will receive a $6,000 scholarship at the annual USBC Convention, June 29-July 1 in Grapevine, Texas. For information on Brent Bowers or the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow award, contact Shocker bowling at (316) 978-7655 or shocker.bowling@wichita.edu.