Club bowling team looking to expand
By Hye Kwon
Ever since sports television has included bowling in its
coverage, the sport has been the butt of many jokes and
stereotypes.
It’s been labeled "boring," a "recreation" and many other things
that would offend most serious bowlers, like UCLA’s Doug
Wilcox.
"I think the media has stigmatized bowling as a sport played by
fat, beer-bellied men, rolling a ball down the lane while drinking
a beer," Wilcox said. "There’s a lot more positives than a lot of
people think."
According to Wilcox, the fact that there are special interest
leagues such as seniors’ leagues and handicap leagues among others,
goes to show the general public’s accessibility to the sport. He
contends that it’s "every man’s sport."
Wilcox is so serious about the game of bowling that he dreams of
competing in the Professional Bowlers’ Association in the
future.
"I’ve come this far," he said. "I think if I don’t try it out,
I’ll be regretting it the rest of my life."
Wilcox is not the only bowling zealot on campus. He finds
company in the UCLA bowling team that is as committed as one would
find in other big-time intercollegiate sports.
They compete against other colleges such as Cal State Northridge
and Cal State Fullerton in the California Intercollegiate Bowling
Conference and also participate in various tournaments during the
year. The team will be travelling to UC Davis for a tournament Nov.
5-6.
Currently, the team has only four members  Wilcox, John
Novak, Patrick Gomez and Michael Sim  and it is looking for
some good bowlers.
"We’re looking to bowlers with the highest averages, but anybody
with an average of 170 or above is eligible for competition, as far
as we’re concerned," Wilcox said.
The team is also interested in organizing a league for Bruins
who want to bowl in an organized setting but do not quite have the
game to compete in intercollegiate tournaments.
Those interested in trying out for the bowling team should
contact the department of recreation in the Wooden Center for more
information.