by: Michelle Barnhart
On Fridays at 4:30 p.m., you can find several Parkland College faculty members tearing up lanes at Western Bowl in Champaign.
Parkland’s faculty bowling league includes faculty members from all over campus, as well as any friends or family who may tag along. Teams of 2-3 face off every weekend with a little friendly competition.
Of course, there is a lot more to these meetings than just a quick game of bowling. Members also use the time to chat and catch up with one another. According to commissioner Kevin Hastings and member Grant Clark, conversations between lanes range from Parkland related subjects, to community events, to what’s going on in each other’s lives. The group also meets for dinner after they have finished bowling. This consistent afternoon hangout has led to bonds between people whose paths would otherwise only cross occasionally.
As commissioner, Hastings collects the money, emails members to remind them of upcoming games, schedules lanes, keeps track of score sheets, and occasionally advertises for the league. If he is unavailable, someone else, usually member Erik Johnson, will step in and fulfill his duties; everyone helps each other out.
“It’s almost a family,” said Hastings, who joined the league in fall 2001. He said the group falls naturally into conversation with one another and possesses a witty banter.
Hastings described the current group as both, “very laid back” and, “small, humble, and fun.” He said that the game is not nearly as competitive now as in years past; everyone roots for each other and will say congratulations after a good bowl. The process is very casual; people show up, pay, do a quick warm up, bowl, and turn in their scores. Anyone is welcome to bring family members or friends.
The league is also very diverse. Members include people of all different backgrounds, occupations and levels of bowling experience. Hastings said he has enjoyed meeting people from other departments and seeing the fresh perspectives everyone brings to the table.
Of course, over almost 20 years, Hastings has seen the league evolve greatly. Hastings mentioned that members come and go and game processes change, but the dedication always remains.
” If you have fun, you win!” – Kim Bode
One thing that has vastly changed over the years is level of competitiveness. According to Hastings, the competition used to be a lot more serious. Commissioners would formerly send out emails with player rankings and high scores from previous weeks. Awards and trophies were handed out, including one for most consistent bowler. Being at the top was more of a goal than it is now. Prizes are no longer distributed, but the fun is enough of a reward.
“If you have fun, you win!” said member Kim Bode.
The size of the league has also varied over the years. Clark told the Prospectus that both small and large groups have their advantages. While large groups can get a little hectic, they make the competition more intense and exciting. Smaller groups, however, allow for more intimacy between members. “There’s give and take with both,” Clark said. “There’s a duality.”
Although prizes and awards are not handed out currently, this league is still full of celebrations and honors. At the end of the year, the group throws a party. Sometimes they will give gifts to people in the community who have contributed or helped with the league. One year they even donated to a memorial for a former commissioner who had passed.
Parkland’s faculty bowling league is a fun, lighthearted group who meets Friday afternoons between work and other evening activities to kick back, relax and hang out. And, of course, get a strike or two.
