Competitive bowling could lead to lifelong activity

THE ISSUE: High school bowling
OUR VIEW: Game is for a lifetime

The recent news that bowling will become a varsity sport at some local high schools is good news for student-athletes.

In many sports, once you take your cleats, jersey and shoulder pads off at the high school level, that’s the end of the athletic journey. It’s far different with a sport such as bowling.

The passion created can last a lifetime.

Central Hardin, John Hardin and North Hardin high schools will add bowling as a competitive sport beginning next school year and bowling will be sanctioned by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, allowing teams to compete for a state championship.

The sport will be offered to boys and girls at all three schools.

Elizabethtown Independent Schools Superintendent Gary French said his district will consider adding the sport for the 2012-13 school year.

Like tennis, in many ways, bowling is a relatively inexpensive sport for schools to begin. While there is a cost for lane fees, aside from bowling balls, a uniform and shoes, only travel expenses are involved.

The Hardin County Schools board approved a coaching stipend and a contract with Dix-E-Town Lanes for practice and competition times for $2,400 a season.

In a list provided by the KHSAA, about 60 schools have some kind of club bowling.

Adding the sport also provides additional opportunities for high school students to be involved and represent their schools. Student involvement is important and often ties into academic success, JHHS athletic director Greg Cecil said.

We favor all for schools and districts adding educational and athletic opportunities for students.

The bowling season would run from mid-November through March, making it a winter sport for the schools. We look forward and expect our area schools to perform at a high level on and off the field of play, just like all other sports in this area.

Only this one could be the start of a lifetime of enjoyment.

This editorial represents a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.