2011 Bowling's U.S. Women's Open: Bowling Industry Scores Historic Moment for Women's Athletics

LAS VEGAS, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Sports history was made at today's 2010 International Bowl Expo, when the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) announced that, for the first time in the history of the sport, a Women's Major professional bowling event will be held in a traditional sporting venue.  Marking a historic achievement for women's athletics, the BPAA brokered an agreement for the 2011 Bowling's U.S. Women's Open to be hosted on-site at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX; details are being finalized for the nationally televised event.  Bowling's U.S. Women's Open will be held on June 30, 2011 in conjunction with the 2011 International Bowl Expo and will be sponsored by the brands of Ebonite International.

"This is an incredible moment for both women's sports and the bowling industry and an opportunity for Bowling's U.S. Women's Open to rightfully take center stage before worldwide audiences," said Kelly Kulick, recently named ESPY finalist for "Best Bowler," the first woman to ever win a regular Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) title, five-time member of Team USA and a two-time winner of the Open.  "Bowling's U.S. Women's Open is an event that sits at the pinnacle of women's athletics.  It's both thrilling and gratifying that this event and its great women athletes – who I am proud to call my competitors – will be catapulted into the spotlight in 2011."

The ground-breaking announcement was issued before a standing ovation at the General Session kick-off of the 2010 International Bowl Expo at the Las Vegas Hilton.  With confetti cannons blasting and following an emotional video history of the power of the U.S. Open brand in major sports, BPAA Executive Director Steve Johnson called to the Expo stage a number of pioneering female bowling executives and athletes to join him in delivering the historic announcement on the advent of the new, revitalized Bowling's U.S. Women's Open.

"This is a landmark announcement for bowling and for women's athletics – there is no more prestigious name in sports than the U.S. Open and no bigger venue than Cowboys Stadium.  This event exemplifies both the surging popularity of bowling among women and the heightened consumer demand to watch and attend bowling events," said Johnson.  "Anyone who has seen Bowling's U.S. Women's Open can attest that you will not find tougher, fiercer and more tenacious competitors.  Also, through national television exposure, we are excited to now make Bowling's U.S. Women's Open more accessible to the public than ever before."

Bowling's U.S. Women's Open will showcase the tournament lanes in the center of the Cowboys Stadium playing field, on each side of the 50-yard line.  Additionally, the Open will be broadcast live on the stadium's famed 60-yard high definition video board, ensuring that all patrons in attendance have the best seat in the house.

Bowling's U.S. Women's Open is sponsored by the brands of Ebonite International and is open to all female youth and adult members in the United States.  The finals will take place during the 2011 International Bowl Expo which will draw more than 8,000 attendees from the bowling industry.

"As a company that both prides itself on its long-standing support of women in bowling and on achieving the highest standards of excellence, we could not ask for a better brand association than the great female players of Bowling's U.S. Women's Open and this truly prestigious and historic sporting event," said Randy Schickert, CEO of Ebonite International.  "At Ebonite International, our goal is to design and produce the world's best bowling balls and equipment for passionate bowlers.  In furthering this mission, we're tremendously pleased to present our brands alongside the finest female competitors in the world.  Additionally, we're proud to be an integral part of this stellar event, before the fans and bowling enthusiasts who will be in attendance and the millions more watching from home."

About BPAA

Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, the 78-year-old Bowling Proprietors' Association of America is a trade association representing the business interests of bowling center owners worldwide.  BPAA's mission is to enhance the profitability of its member bowling centers.

About Ebonite International

Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets domestically and internationally.  The company's consumer product brands include Ebonite, Hammer, Robby's, Columbia 300, Track and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.

SOURCE Bowling Proprietors' Association of America