ARLINGTON, Texas, June 22, 2011 -- The Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA), bowling's leading non-profit trade association and the voice of the industry, today announced a historic partnership with President Obama's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative to help promote responsible fatherhood in the United States.  As part of the partnership, and timed to National Bowling Day – August 6, 2011, the BPAA will offer free game coupons for fathers and sons on GoBowling.com, the online home of the bowling industry. 

The partnership with the BPAA is part of a larger initiative to promote responsible fatherhood by allowing fathers and their children to spend quality time together.  President Obama is joining with fathers across the nation to send a strong message about personal responsibility and 'stepping up to the plate,' while supporting fathers who want to be there for their children.

President Obama is supporting this effort through sound public policy – including increased funding for local responsible fatherhood programs – and partnerships with community groups around the nation.  He has also launched a new Fatherhood Pledge at www.fatherhood.gov  to connect with dads around the country, and held town halls in local communities focusing on responsible fatherhood.  The President launched a new Interagency Working Group on Responsible Fatherhood to eliminate barriers in public policy that keep dads from kids.  Find out more information and get involved at www.fatherhood.gov.

"Fatherlessness is an absolutely critical issue facing our nation and we are so pleased to offer the support of more than 4,000 bowling centers across the nation in helping fathers spend time with their children – while enjoying America's largest participation sport," said Steve Johnson, executive director of the BPAA.  "Bowling is an excellent economical, fun activity that can be enjoyed by all ages, while promoting physical activity and mentoring.  In bowling, the playing field is completely level – it is a sport that truly rewards those who work hard, show discipline and focus on improving their game, great values for any Dad to teach their child."

Added Johnson, "We are proud to partner with the Obama administration and to do our part to help combat this issue and give back to communities where bowling does business."

Fatherlessness has become a growing crisis in America, as rates of father absence are increasing in all demographic groups, and among some constituencies fatherlessness has reached emergency proportions – in the African American community, fathers are absent from 2 out of every 3 households.  When dads are not around, young people are more likely to drop out of school, use drugs, be involved in the criminal justice system, and become young parents themselves. 

President Obama's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative aims to establish sound public policy including increased funding for local responsible fatherhood programs – and partnerships with community groups around the nation.  For more information, please visit www.fatherhood.gov.

About President Obama's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative

President Obama has said that being a father to Malia and Sasha is the most important job he has.  At the same time, growing up without a dad himself, the President understands firsthand the holes that fathers leave in their families when they are absent.   The President is joining with fathers across the nation to send a strong message about personal responsibility and 'stepping up to the plate,' while supporting fathers who want to be there for their kids.

And it doesn't take a lot for dads to step up to the plate.  More than money, more than material things, kids simply want fathers to Be There.  Every dad can do that...and every child deserves it.

President Obama is supporting this effort through sound public policy – including increased funding for local responsible fatherhood programs – and partnerships with community groups around the nation.  He has also launched a new Fatherhood Pledge at www.fatherhood.gov to connect with dads and others around the country, and held town halls in local communities focusing on responsible fatherhood.  The President has also launched a new Interagency Working Group on Responsible Fatherhood to eliminate barriers in public policy that keep dads from kids.  Find out more information and get involved at www.fatherhood.gov.