Bowling, The Wright Way - May 21, 2001 by Don Wright
Award Banquets

My wife's league just concluded their season and had their awards banquet this past Wednesday. Award banquets used to be very popular among the men's, women's and mixed leagues. But, over the years we don't see as many as there used to be.

There are probably many reasons why people don't have banquets, but I'll bet I can think of more reasons why they should, than why they shouldn't.

Throughout the year bowlers earn many awards and for some they may not be too important, but to others they are very important and they should be presented properly. All too often someone grabs the microphone at a center and announces that so-and-so got an award. Half of the people there didn't hear the announcement and less than that show their gratitude through applause.

My Sweetie has been the secretary of the Fort Hood Officer's Mixed League for 25 years, and for 25 years we have had a banquet. With very few exceptions we have always had the majority of the league present. The photo album with the leagues history is always on a table for old timers to see how they have aged and "newbies" to get an idea of the leagues closeness and lasting friendships.

All awards are presented to those who earned them and Owen Saiki has engraved a plaque honoring the leagues winners, which is prominently displayed at the entrance to Bowlers Green. We are hoping we can continue that tradition in the new center.

Not to leave anyone out, Owen also engraves a "Reverse Champion" plaque to honor the team with the dubious honor of finishing last. And, someone has to be last.

Throughout the year, Ike Courtney observes all the bowlers diligently and prepares a poem honoring the famous and the infamous.

The banquet always has the spouse whether he, or she, bowls in the league. It's an opportunity for everyone to meet, make friends and hopefully recruit that spouse.

Substitutes are always invited. For no league could prosper without them. They are called upon usually at the last minute, they're not eligible for awards or prize money, but nevertheless they show up. They spend money in the snack bar; ask for nothing in return, and many a team would suffer not having a line-up if that substitute didn't show.

It's important to treat substitutes like league members. Most "sub" because something conflicts with their schedule and prohibits them from being a full time member. But, eventually that may change and they will become members where they feel they are appreciated. Believe me, they are appreciated when they sub.

Other non-bowlers are invited to the banquet because they have gone out of their way to take care of the league and the individual bowlers. Often we take for granted the services that we get from center employees. The league has no way to reward them other than to tell their supervisor of their good work. Invite them. They may, or may not come, but they will remember the gesture.

In most leagues that have a banquet, the vice-president usually appoints the "stuckee" to find the place, get a head count, collect the money and take the blame if the food stinks. Our league is no different. Ursula Adam, the leagues Sergeant at Arms, who never has enough things to volunteer for, volunteers every year to take on the banquet. She gets the usual gripes before the banquet and the usual congratulations upon the conclusion. She moans and groans every year before the banquet and smiles and kisses everyone after the banquet. Ain't she special?

Our league has bowlers who have been on the league longer than Sweetie and I. There are members who have been on as long as we have and we always have a mix of new folks. It's what makes the league so great.

We have bowlers ranging in age from 31 to 85. Bill Wood was 85 on 3 May and although he has suffered his share of injuries he never misses a night of bowling. I guess if you're a survivor of Bataan a broken bowling finger isn't too much to worry about.

The league consists of veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. We had at least one baby born 20 of the 25 years. There have been numerous promotions, deployments, transfers and retirements. People have left, returned and left again. Many of the friendships remain through cards, letters and e-mail.

Nope, there are not nearly as many award banquets, but there should be.

See you on the lanes.