Special Olympics National Unified Bowling Tournament

By Matt Cannizzaro and Jason Pinter
USBC Communications

USBC Open Championships homepage

LAS VEGAS - When Frank McKenna and his grandson Anthony Jacko stepped onto the lanes at the Cashman Center for the Special Olympics National Unified Sports Bowling Tournament on Thursday it felt just like home.

The two were participating in the tournament for the third year, and this time the event was right in their backyard as part of the opening-week activities for the 2009 USBC Open Championships, which will be held from Feb. 21 until July 24 at the state-of-the-art 60 lane tournament venue inside Cashman Center.

"It's nice that we didn't have to travel so far, since it's actually right down the road," said McKenna, who is from Las Vegas. "The added bonus of it being here is that our family and friends get to come out and watch us."

This marked the 19th year that the Special Olympics National Unified Tournament shared the bowling's biggest stage and helped usher in the Open Championships, which attracts more than 65,000 bowlers annually.

In all, more than 450 bowlers representing 14 states were grouped into 115 four-player teams for team competition Thursday, and all competitors returned to the lanes for doubles Friday. Each team was comprised of two Special Olympians and their unified partners, which helps carry the message of friendship and camaraderie from year to year.

Athletes competed for medals and ribbons in 20 divisions in team and 40 divisions in doubles.

USBC Hall of Famer and Bowling Ambassador for the Special Olympics, Jim Schroeder of Tonawanda, N.Y., has played a huge role in growing the relationship between the Special Olympics and the Open Championships. In 1990, he approached tournament director Hal Kaminski about bringing the event to the championship lanes, and the relationship has grown ever since.

When the Special Olympics event made its debut on the Open Championships' lanes in 1991, it included 27 teams.

"I'm so glad we started this event," said Schroeder, who has competed in the Open Championships 60 times. "The smiles on the faces of the athletes and the overwhelming human kindness surrounding this event are priceless. Watching these athletes come out to compete gives me a reason to continue to bowl."

Bowlers traveled from 14 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia for this year's Unified Tournament.

Also on-hand this week was Troy Greisen, the Executive Director of The Bowling Foundation, the non profit organization that serves as the central charitable arm of bowling.

"The Bowling Foundation is passionate about our support of Special Olympics, and we are proud to partner with USBC in helping make this event happen each year," Greisen said. "We look forward to celebrating the tournament's 20th year in 2010."

Each year, the Special Olympics bowlers are accompanied by parents, friends and coaches who support their efforts and applaud their accomplishments. No matter their scores, each athlete is glad to be bowling.

"With all of the support from coaches, families and unified partners, we had a great turn out this year," said Marty Allen, the Special Olympics National Unified Tournament director. "I can not wait for Reno the next two years. Our goal is to fill every single one of the 78 lanes each year."

Next up at Cashman Center is the start of the 154-day Open Championships, which will feature 17,200 five-player teams and more than 85,000 bowlers.

For more information on the USBC Open Championships, visit USBCopen.com.
The Bowling Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization that serves as the central charitable arm of bowling, and partners with the United States Bowling Congress, the Bowling Proprietors Association of America, and the Professional Bowlers Association. For more information, email info@bowlingfoundation.org.

Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.