Bowler's Ed Program awards grants for Spring of 2026
March 26, 2026
ARLINGTON, Texas – Thirteen recipients have been chosen by the United States Bowling Congress Youth Development team to receive Bowler’s Ed kits and curriculum information through the Bowler’s Ed Grant Program, directly impacting over 11,000 students.
Eleven schools, one parent-teacher association and one county-wide Special Olympics organization will have the opportunity to incorporate bowling into their educational plans during the 2026-2027 school year, as USBC Youth is awarding 12 of the grants, with one grant sponsored by the Bowling Centers Association of Ohio.
Bowler’s Ed is a curriculum- and equipment-based physical education program designed to introduce students to the lifetime sport of bowling. Each Bowler’s Ed kit provides teachers and supporting staff with the equipment and tools needed to enjoy the sport in a convenient way by bringing a bowling-center-like atmosphere into classrooms, gyms and recreational spaces.
Through the grant program, schools and organizations are able to teach students and young athletes about bowling in an educational and fun setting. Each kit provides six sets of the following: a carpeted mobile bowling lane, rubber bowling ball, plastic pins, step-by-step curriculum and an instructional video on the fundamentals of bowling, which includes etiquette, safety, scoring and fitness activities.
The schools and school districts selected to receive Bowler’s Ed kits for the 2026-2027 school year were determined based on applications submitted by the Dec. 31, 2025, deadline. The kits will be received by the following schools and districts:
“At Prodeo Academy, we believe enrichment activities like this help develop the whole child which lies at the core of our mission,” said Heather Tuttle, Director of Development at Prodeo Academy. “Programs like bowling allow our scholars to connect with peers, stay active and discover interests they can carry with them for a lifetime. We’re grateful to the United States Bowling Congress for investing in opportunities that make learning joyful and community centered.”
Physical education teachers at Prodeo, Matt Laurita and Grayson Pangburn, also are ready to bring bowling in to their students.
“We’re really excited to receive the Bowler’s Ed Grant because it's a wonderful opportunity for our scholars to participate in both competitive and recreational activities that are fun, accessible, and engaging,” Laurita said. “Bowling is one of those rare sports where everyone can jump in quickly and feel successful, which is incredibly important for building confidence and a sense of belonging."
Pangburn added, “Bowling is also a perfect cross-curricular learning opportunity. We'll use math to track scores and learn the strategy behind the game while also working to develop focus, sportsmanship, and teamwork. For many of our scholars, this will be their first time experiencing bowling in an organized way and that sense of trying something new together is powerful."
USBC Youth Development works with local associations, schools and bowling centers throughout the country to deliver the In-School Bowler’s Ed kits.
The initiative is supported by the bowling industry and aims to bring bowling centers and associations together with schools and non-profit organizations in their communities, allowing physical education teachers and other instructors the opportunity to make bowling one of the sports they teach to their students.
Since 2010, the Bowler’s Ed Grant Program has awarded 380 grants valued at over $864,600. More than 6.1 million students from 48 states and provinces across the United States and Canada have been impacted by the program.
For schools, facilities or organizations interested in applying for a Bowler’s Ed grant, the application portal is open for the second half of the year. The submission deadline for this round is June 30, 2026.
Information on the Bowler’s Ed program can be found at BOWL.com/BowlersEd, and applications for the Bowler’s Ed grant can be found at ibc.smapply.net. USBC Youth Development is supported by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the United States Bowling Congress.
Eleven schools, one parent-teacher association and one county-wide Special Olympics organization will have the opportunity to incorporate bowling into their educational plans during the 2026-2027 school year, as USBC Youth is awarding 12 of the grants, with one grant sponsored by the Bowling Centers Association of Ohio.
Bowler’s Ed is a curriculum- and equipment-based physical education program designed to introduce students to the lifetime sport of bowling. Each Bowler’s Ed kit provides teachers and supporting staff with the equipment and tools needed to enjoy the sport in a convenient way by bringing a bowling-center-like atmosphere into classrooms, gyms and recreational spaces.
Through the grant program, schools and organizations are able to teach students and young athletes about bowling in an educational and fun setting. Each kit provides six sets of the following: a carpeted mobile bowling lane, rubber bowling ball, plastic pins, step-by-step curriculum and an instructional video on the fundamentals of bowling, which includes etiquette, safety, scoring and fitness activities.
The schools and school districts selected to receive Bowler’s Ed kits for the 2026-2027 school year were determined based on applications submitted by the Dec. 31, 2025, deadline. The kits will be received by the following schools and districts:
- Anna P Mote Elementary, Wilmington, Del.
- Center Point-Urbana: Primary, Center Point, Iowa
- Covington Elementary, Covington, Tenn.
- Esmond Elementary, Chicago
- Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary School, Geneva, Ohio
- May Roberts Primary, Ontario, Ore.
- Montague Township School, Montague, N.J.
- Pinewood Elementary PTA, Stuart, Fla.
- Prodeo Academy, Columbia Heights, Minn.
- Smithfield Elementary School, North Richland Hills, Texas
- Special Olympics - Imperial County, El Centro, Calif.
- St Paul Public Schools, St Paul, Minn.
- Stevan Dohanos Elementary, Lorain, Ohio
“At Prodeo Academy, we believe enrichment activities like this help develop the whole child which lies at the core of our mission,” said Heather Tuttle, Director of Development at Prodeo Academy. “Programs like bowling allow our scholars to connect with peers, stay active and discover interests they can carry with them for a lifetime. We’re grateful to the United States Bowling Congress for investing in opportunities that make learning joyful and community centered.”
Physical education teachers at Prodeo, Matt Laurita and Grayson Pangburn, also are ready to bring bowling in to their students.
“We’re really excited to receive the Bowler’s Ed Grant because it's a wonderful opportunity for our scholars to participate in both competitive and recreational activities that are fun, accessible, and engaging,” Laurita said. “Bowling is one of those rare sports where everyone can jump in quickly and feel successful, which is incredibly important for building confidence and a sense of belonging."
Pangburn added, “Bowling is also a perfect cross-curricular learning opportunity. We'll use math to track scores and learn the strategy behind the game while also working to develop focus, sportsmanship, and teamwork. For many of our scholars, this will be their first time experiencing bowling in an organized way and that sense of trying something new together is powerful."
USBC Youth Development works with local associations, schools and bowling centers throughout the country to deliver the In-School Bowler’s Ed kits.
The initiative is supported by the bowling industry and aims to bring bowling centers and associations together with schools and non-profit organizations in their communities, allowing physical education teachers and other instructors the opportunity to make bowling one of the sports they teach to their students.
Since 2010, the Bowler’s Ed Grant Program has awarded 380 grants valued at over $864,600. More than 6.1 million students from 48 states and provinces across the United States and Canada have been impacted by the program.
For schools, facilities or organizations interested in applying for a Bowler’s Ed grant, the application portal is open for the second half of the year. The submission deadline for this round is June 30, 2026.
Information on the Bowler’s Ed program can be found at BOWL.com/BowlersEd, and applications for the Bowler’s Ed grant can be found at ibc.smapply.net. USBC Youth Development is supported by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the United States Bowling Congress.