By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The newly formed Hays High bowling team has set a fundraiser bowling tournament to outfit the team, and they hope community members will join them.
The Unified Bowling Roll-Off will be Sunday, Sept. 18, at Centennial Lanes in Hays. Check in will be at noon with the scrimmage starting at 12:30 p.m.
This will be the first season for bowling at HHS. Students will be able to participate in two seasons. The fall season is for unified teams. The regular season kicks off after winter break.
The regular season has six tournaments set with the possibility of two more, not including regionals or state.
During the unified season, students with intellectual disabilities are paired with general education students. Richard Hodges, coach, said this will allow students of all abilities to compete on the team. The team will take freshmen through seniors.
The unified team has at least three tournaments guaranteed, and Hodges is hoping for two more. That does not count the roll-off or post-season.
Bowling is the only sport at HHS in which students with intellectual disabilities compete along side their peers in this way, Hodges said.
"It is showing the importance of getting everybody together on the same level at the same time," he said. "We are showing the importance of truly making everybody equal."
Bowling is more of a mental sport than a physical game, Hodges said. It can accommodate students who may not be able to throw a ball or run fast. It also can be a lifetime activity.
Teams of four are being formed for the roll-off fundraiser. The teams will consist of a sponsor member, member of a local bowling league, a general education student and an intellectually disabled student.
Since the bowling team tryouts won't be until after the roll-off, any students can participate in the fundraiser.
The interest in the new sport at HHS has been huge, Hodges said. Sixty-four students signed up to participate on the team during a recent informational meeting. Tryouts for the unified team will be Sept. 26.
However, the team is starting from scratch in terms of equipment. The team needs balls, shoes, bags and uniforms.
Hodges said using house equipment is comparable to PGA golfers using putt-putt golf clubs. Using plastic balls and rented shoes would put all the team's bowlers at a great disadvantage, he said.
Hodges said he hopes to accommodate as many students as possible, especially during the unified season. He would like to be able to have at least 30 students outfitted for the unified season with the ability to take 24 students plus alternates to each tournament.
School district funds to outfit the team are limited, so Hodges said he is hoping for 25 to 30 teams and to raise at least $5,000 through the upcoming roll off.
You can sponsor the team for $125. That includes T-shirts and your business's logo on a banner and/or participation in the roll-off scrimmage.
Local league bowlers can participate in the roll-off for $25.
However, Hodges said no donation is too small. Anyone interested in donating to the team, becoming a sponsor or participating in the roll-off can contact Hodges at [email protected]. You can also call the high school at 785-623-2600.
Hodges also encouraged parents and members of the community to come out and watch the teams during the scrimmage on Sept. 18.
Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay