TNBA's STORY
The National Bowling Association, Inc. is a non-profit
corporation, organized in August 1939, in Detroit, Michigan,
for the express purpose of encouraging Blacks to develop their
skills in the game of Ten Pins. It was originally known as the
"National Negro Bowling Association" because at the
time of its birth, Negroes and other Non-Caucasians were not permitted
to belong to ABC or WIBC because of certain restrictive clauses
in their constitutions. Because our membership included a large number of
Asians, Hispanics and people of color other than Black, in 1944, our
organization was renamed "The National
Bowling Association, Inc." We participated actively
in the fight for "Equality in Bowling," and in 1950
both ABC and WIBC removed the Non-Caucasian clauses from their
constitutions. Starting in 1951 TNBA members have enjoyed the privilege
of competing in all open sanctioned tournaments.
Although approximately 80% of our present membership is
Black, TNBA has no racial restrictions whatsoever as to membership or
participation. TNBA's slogan
is "Promoter of Sportsmanship, Fellowship and
Friendship" - Ideals which are accomplished through organized
competition.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES -
The constitutional purpose is
to foster and promote the game of Ten Pins among both men and
women. Membership is open to all bowlers, without regard to race,
creed or color.
TNBA promotes friendship, sportsmanship and fellowship among
its members. We also serves as a recruiting agency and point-of-entry
for black bowlers who otherwise would not receive the encouragement,
tutelage and guidance needed to learn the game and develop the
skills that are essential to full enjoyment and successful competition.
Such encouragement and training prepares TNBA bowlers to compete
on equal terms in the tournament and competitions that are now
open to them.
TNBA has been and continues to be a major factor in the
integration of blacks into the "bowling world" and plays
a part in the national movement toward implementation of American
democracy, ideals and principles. The acquaintance that comes
with contact and the respect that is engendered by superior skill
helps break down unfavorable attitudes and racial barriers.
THIS IS TNBA -
The National Bowling Association is more than an organization.
The National Bowling Association is a concept founded on the principles
of sportsmanship, fellowship and friendship. For the Black bowler
especially, TNBA membership should be as automatic as ABC and WIBC
membership is to all bowlers mainly because the National Bowling
Association is one of the largest BLACK FOUNDED, BLACK OPERATED
AND BLACK DIRECTED organizations in the country. The National
Bowling Association was instrumental in opening the doors of open
competition in the ten-pin sport throughout our country for Black
Bowlers.
Every organization can trace its origin and the purpose
for its creation - TNBA IS NO DIFFERENT. Founded in 1939, of necessity,
because Black Bowlers were denied membership in the American Bowling
Congress, TNBA provided an avenue for participation in the game
of bowling for its membership. Even after full membership status
was available in the ABC, TNBA continued its existence because
the premise of its birth mandated its perpetuation. Over the years TNBA has continued its growth pattern and its growth paralleled
the movement of Blacks from the rural areas of our country to
the major metropolitan centers of the nation. Diversified programming
geared to the needs of a given area became the keynote of TNBA's
format as the organization's membership ranks swelled and its
geographic scope widened. TNBA, in it's 65+ years of
existence, has over 23,000 members contained in over 100
local chapters throughout the country, plus Bermuda.
The motivation to join
the National Bowling Association is simple and direct...
THE CONTINUANCE AND PERPETUATION OF A SYMBOL OF ACHIEVEMENT
AND DEDICATION...
TNBA membership is a small price to pay when we consider
the heritage aspect of TNBA tradition and consider that our
status today is the result of foresight and dedication on the
part of our founding fathers. Today, TNBA is a successful operation
that has weathered the growing pains that plague most organizations
and is in a position to become one of the most viable Black organizations
in the world. Consider that TNBA's concept is direct and objective, TNBA pays its way - as does its membership.
TNBA only wants what TNBA is entitled to, in terms of today's social and economic climate.
From its inception the National Bowling Association has served
as a coordinating body dedicated to the principles of SPORTSMANSHIP,
FELLOWSHIP and FRIENDSHIP through participation in a program of
local and national significance. In order to affect an even more
direct impact TNBA must become more involved in the mainstream
of American society. The accomplishment of this goal requires
extensive programming and increased membership. TNBA is the program...You
are the members. As TNBA membership increases TNBA programming will
reflect growth in proportion to the increase.
To those who are NOT ABOARD, WE SAY, STAND UP AND BE COUNTED.
Become one who reacts through involvement in the shaping, forming
and extension of a program geared to the needs of amateur bowlers across the
United States.
THIS IS TNBA - TODAY
MEMBERSHIP -
TNBA membership means unity and strength through organization
and the
sense of belonging to a dedicated, purposed and progressive group.
The National Bowling Association, Inc., presently in its 65th
year, has over 23,000 members contained in over one hundred local senates (chapters) throughout the United
States including Bermuda. It is not
necessary to be a bowler to belong to TNBA.
ADULT PROGRAMS -
The National Bowling Association, Inc. adult programs consist
of:
League Bowling Competition
High Score Achievement Awards
Four (4) Regional Tournaments
National Championship Tournaments
Five (5) Classic Tournaments
Rhodman Classic Roll-off
National Honor (Individual) Awards
Hall Of Fame
Celebrity Bowl Tournament
King and Queen Contest
Sponsor Appreciation Awards
Local Achievement Honor Awards
Charity and Fund Raising Programs
Intra-Senate (Chapter) Bowling Competition
JUNIOR BOWLING PROGRAMS -
League Bowling Competition
High Score Achievement Awards
Four (4) Regional Tournaments
National Junior Championship Tournament
Honor Awards
Scholarship Awards
The present membership of TNBA's Junior Bowling Program
is 8,000 youngsters between the ages of six (6) and twenty-two
(22) years, representing one hundred-plus senates and affiliates.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS:
1939 - First Annual Tournament held in Cleveland, Ohio
1941 - Incorporated under state laws of Ohio
1944 - Name changed to National Bowling Association, Inc.
1945 - Joe Blue Award for Outstanding Achievement - deemed
by Cleveland Alliance in memory of the deceased "organizer"
1950 - Racial restrictions removed from constitutions of
American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress
1978 - J. Elmer Reed, Cleveland, Ohio, first black to he
inducted into American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame
1980 - Mr. Aubrey Harrison bowled the first 300 game in
TNBA in Los Angeles. Joan I. McDuffie of Chicago, Illinois was elected the
first female President of TNBA.
2000 - Cornell M. Jackson of Lanham, Maryland and Alesia A. Bryant of St.
Louis, Missouri, first two females elected President and Vice President,
respectively, along with Margaret S. Lee of Brooklyn, New York as Executive
Secretary-Treasurer became the first all female Executive Cabinet of TNBA.
Membership in the National Bowling Association gives the
bowler a sense of belonging to a dedicated, purposeful and progressive
group and of helping to achieve unity, strength and solidarity
through organization.
Why not add your name to our membership rolls to help us
grow bigger, stronger and even more effective in promoting opportunity
for and protecting the interests of our bowlers?
YOU NEED TNBA and TNBA NEEDS YOU
THE NATIONAL BOWLING ASSOCIATION, INC.
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Promoter of Sportsmanship * Fellowship * Friendship
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