Georgia’s Tellames selected as USBC David Dahms Coach of the Year
April 04, 2024
ARLINGTON, Texas – Nelson Tellames of Richmond Hill, Georgia, who began coaching youth bowlers 17 years ago, has been selected as the 2024 United States Bowling Congress David Dahms Coach of the Year by the International Bowling Campus Youth Committee.
The award is named in honor of David Dahms, who was an instrumental leader in the creation of USBC’s Junior Gold program. The award recognizes a coach who has been actively involved in a USBC Youth program and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to coaching, sportsmanship and knowledge of USBC rules for the last seven or more years.
When asked about his initial reaction to winning the award, Tellames gave a laugh and responded with a one-word answer.
“Shocked,” Tellames said.
When asked if he could expound a little, Tellames was able to convey a few more thoughts.
“Winning this award is a huge, huge honor,” Tellames added. “I’m really humbled by it. It makes me feel good that all the effort I’ve put in is appreciated. It just feels awesome.”
Tellames notes that he “grew up in a family of bowlers” and that he’s “been around bowling centers all my life.” His dad was in the military, and he grew up bowling in youth leagues on military bases in Hawaii. He continued to bowl after moving to Georgia around the age of 13 and even bowled collegiately at Georgia Tech for a couple years (1987-1988).
Tellames’ journey into coaching bowling’s youth began 17 years ago when he volunteered as a coach for a Saturday morning youth league in his area. That decision ignited a joy and passion that continues today as Tellames strives to make a difference in the lives of youth bowlers.
“I wanted to give back to the sport of bowling because it had done so much for me as a youth,” Tellames said. “I asked the director of the youth bowling program at Fort Stewart if he needed any volunteer coaches, and that got me started. I fell in love with it right away, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Tellames currently serves as vice president of the Georgia State USBC, president of both the Fort Stewart and Greater Savannah USBC and Georgia Director for the Southeast Bowling Association where he is also a member of the Legislative Committee.
But where Tellames really shines is in his role as a youth coach. He is a USBC Silver Level coach and has been the Georgia Youth Interstate All Stars coach since 2019. He’s been a volunteer youth bowling coach for the Fort Stewart USBC since 2007 and for the Greater Savannah USBC since 2019. Tellames is a former director of the Georgia Youth Bowling Association (2017-2018) and director of the Georgia Youth Bowlers Tour. He has been the Georgia Pepsi Tournament Director since 2021.
The reaction of the youths as he works with them makes the entire experience special for Tellames.
“Seeing the joy the kids have when they’re out there bowling is great,” Tellames said. “They just have so much fun. I enjoyed it so much as a kid, and seeing them enjoy it so much now just makes me feel good about what I’m doing. I’ve always felt that I’ve had a good rapport with kids, and they seem to soak up all the information I give them really well.”
Through his work with bowling’s youth, Tellames has gained a sense of pride and fulfillment from providing his bowlers with enjoyment and direction through bowling. Some of his students have gone on to take part in prestigious youth events like the Junior Gold Championships, and a few have advanced to collegiate bowling careers as well.
Tellames credits one of his youth coaches for inspiring him as both a youth bowler and a current coach.
“Ron June was one of my youth coaches, and he really helped me out and made sure that I stayed on the right track with things,” Tellames said. “He was the one who really made me want to get back into the sport and be a coach. Seeing how much he put into it and the effect it had, I realized that was something I wanted to do as well, and that’s why I volunteered when I did.”
Tellames adds this award to his distinction of being named 2018 Georgia State Youth Coach of the Year.
Tellames will be presented with his award later this month at the 2024 USBC Convention and Annual Meeting at South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
For list of past David Dahms Coach of the Year winners, click here.
Learn more about awards for adult youth leaders and scholarship opportunities for youth bowlers at BOWL.com/ScholarshipsAwards.
Visit BOWL.com/Convention for information about the 2024 USBC Convention.
The award is named in honor of David Dahms, who was an instrumental leader in the creation of USBC’s Junior Gold program. The award recognizes a coach who has been actively involved in a USBC Youth program and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to coaching, sportsmanship and knowledge of USBC rules for the last seven or more years.
When asked about his initial reaction to winning the award, Tellames gave a laugh and responded with a one-word answer.
“Shocked,” Tellames said.
When asked if he could expound a little, Tellames was able to convey a few more thoughts.
“Winning this award is a huge, huge honor,” Tellames added. “I’m really humbled by it. It makes me feel good that all the effort I’ve put in is appreciated. It just feels awesome.”
Tellames notes that he “grew up in a family of bowlers” and that he’s “been around bowling centers all my life.” His dad was in the military, and he grew up bowling in youth leagues on military bases in Hawaii. He continued to bowl after moving to Georgia around the age of 13 and even bowled collegiately at Georgia Tech for a couple years (1987-1988).
Tellames’ journey into coaching bowling’s youth began 17 years ago when he volunteered as a coach for a Saturday morning youth league in his area. That decision ignited a joy and passion that continues today as Tellames strives to make a difference in the lives of youth bowlers.
“I wanted to give back to the sport of bowling because it had done so much for me as a youth,” Tellames said. “I asked the director of the youth bowling program at Fort Stewart if he needed any volunteer coaches, and that got me started. I fell in love with it right away, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Tellames currently serves as vice president of the Georgia State USBC, president of both the Fort Stewart and Greater Savannah USBC and Georgia Director for the Southeast Bowling Association where he is also a member of the Legislative Committee.
But where Tellames really shines is in his role as a youth coach. He is a USBC Silver Level coach and has been the Georgia Youth Interstate All Stars coach since 2019. He’s been a volunteer youth bowling coach for the Fort Stewart USBC since 2007 and for the Greater Savannah USBC since 2019. Tellames is a former director of the Georgia Youth Bowling Association (2017-2018) and director of the Georgia Youth Bowlers Tour. He has been the Georgia Pepsi Tournament Director since 2021.
The reaction of the youths as he works with them makes the entire experience special for Tellames.
“Seeing the joy the kids have when they’re out there bowling is great,” Tellames said. “They just have so much fun. I enjoyed it so much as a kid, and seeing them enjoy it so much now just makes me feel good about what I’m doing. I’ve always felt that I’ve had a good rapport with kids, and they seem to soak up all the information I give them really well.”
Through his work with bowling’s youth, Tellames has gained a sense of pride and fulfillment from providing his bowlers with enjoyment and direction through bowling. Some of his students have gone on to take part in prestigious youth events like the Junior Gold Championships, and a few have advanced to collegiate bowling careers as well.
Tellames credits one of his youth coaches for inspiring him as both a youth bowler and a current coach.
“Ron June was one of my youth coaches, and he really helped me out and made sure that I stayed on the right track with things,” Tellames said. “He was the one who really made me want to get back into the sport and be a coach. Seeing how much he put into it and the effect it had, I realized that was something I wanted to do as well, and that’s why I volunteered when I did.”
Tellames adds this award to his distinction of being named 2018 Georgia State Youth Coach of the Year.
Tellames will be presented with his award later this month at the 2024 USBC Convention and Annual Meeting at South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
For list of past David Dahms Coach of the Year winners, click here.
Learn more about awards for adult youth leaders and scholarship opportunities for youth bowlers at BOWL.com/ScholarshipsAwards.
Visit BOWL.com/Convention for information about the 2024 USBC Convention.