About Team USAIf you polish your bowling skills to a very high level through USBC leagues, tournaments and coaching, you could earn a spot on USBC’s Team USA, an elite group of top American men and women amateur and professional athletes who represent the U.S. in international bowling competition.
Team USA competes in several prestigious events all over the world, such as the Pan American Games, World and American Zone Championships, World Games, QubicaAMF World Cup and others.
In addition, Team USA members are among the most visible ambassadors for the sport of bowling, making public appearances and providing bowling instruction throughout the year. The sport’s leaders continue to work hard toward their goal of adding bowling to the list of sports at the Olympic Games.

USBC Team USA is comprised of a minimum of 10 men and 10 women from the amateur and professional bowling ranks. The top three men and women athletes earn automatic team berths based on their performances at the annual USBC Team USA Trials, a grueling tournament consisting of four 9-game blocks over four days on four different and challenging lane oil patterns. Two more men and women are chosen from the field by the National Selection Committee after an extensive analysis of their physical and mental games as well as their past performances and team play abilities. A minimum of five professional bowlers are selected from the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour, and women athletes are chosen from the former women’s professional tour or past Team USA squads.
If you make USBC Team USA, the thrill of representing the United States in international competition can be the experience of your lifetime!
Read More
HistoryIn 1961, the United States became a member of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs, recognized since 1979 as bowling’s worldwide governing body by the International Olympic Committee.
The U.S. made its official international debut in the 1963 FIQ World Championships in Mexico, dominating the competition by winning seven out of a possible eight gold medals.
The U.S. Team Trials—predecessor to the USBC Team USA Trials—began in 1971 and were held every other year until 1985, bringing together top amateur and leading collegiate bowlers to determine competitors in FIQ and other international events.
In 1989, a flourishing U.S. national bowling program necessitated the founding of a national governing body known as the United States Tenpin Bowling Federation, which later changed its name to USA Bowling. Governed by a 12-member board which included three athletes, USA Bowling enjoyed recognition as the sport’s governing body in the United States by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the FIQ.
USA Bowling coordinated all amateur international competition promoted by USOC or FIQ and conducted the National Amateur Championships. It also pioneered instruction and coaching programs to help bowlers sharpen their skills.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, two figures became legendary for their efforts to place bowling in the global spotlight – Jerry Koenig and Fred Borden.
In 1987, Jerry Koenig was the guiding force in achieving medal status for bowling in the Pan American Games, serving as administrative coordinator for bowling’s participation as an exhibition sport in the Olympic Games in South Korea.
Meanwhile, Fred Borden guided the national amateur team to international prominence as the heart and soul of Team USA.
Among the highlights of Borden’s years as Team USA head coach is the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba, when Cuban leader Fidel Castro visited the competition as a spectator. Perhaps as an intimidation factor, Castro showed up at the bowling center with his entourage just before the competition. After Patrick Healey Jr. rolled an important strike, Borden turned toward Castro and shook his fist in the air. Team USA won gold medals in the men’s and women’s team event and Healey captured the men’s individual event gold medal.
“We dominated the Pan Am Games that year,” Borden said. “Fidel Castro had to salute the American flag. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your athletes on the medal stand as they’re playing the National Anthem.”
One student of Borden’s who knows something about the medal stand is Diandra Asbaty, a two-time U.S. Amateur champion and 10-time Team USA member generally regarded as one of the best female bowlers in the world. Asbaty won four medals, including the Masters gold medal, at the 2003 World Championships in Malaysia.
“It was Fred Borden’s last tournament as our coach and everyone felt that they wanted to pay tribute to him by performing the best we could,” Asbaty said. “To me, the biggest tournament in the world is the World Championships and to have such a great showing in a country where bowling is really respected was incredible.”
As part of Team USA’s history, Borden and Asbaty know first hand how integral coaching was to the success of Team USA and USA Bowling.
Though Borden will be remembered for leading Team USA to success, his name also is synonymous with USA Bowling Coaching (now known as USBC Coaching).
A visionary leader in the bowling industry, Borden developed and authored the USA Bowling Coaching program’s core cirriculum, the only bowling coaching program recognized by the United States Olympic Committee. USA Bowling Coaching soon blossomed into a complete program that trains and certifies quality coaches for bowlers of all ages and abilities.
Borden’s work greatly improved the pool of competitive bowlers in the United States and continues to have a profound influence across all levels of bowling throughout the world. Several Team USA members are following Borden’s example and serve as USBC-certified coaches at different levels. For them, USBC Coaching not only prepares the next level of elite athletes to climb the ranks but also to continue the growth of bowling as a lifetime sport.
In 2006, Borden was by joined by Bill Hoffman and Lynda Barnes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to help train Brazilian coaches and prospective athletes for the 2007 Pan American Games.
“We recognize the Brazil Bowling Confederation’s efforts to keep bowling as a sport in the Pan American Games, and we were thrilled to assist in the sport’s growth there,” USBC Chief Officer of National Governing Body Kevin Dornberger said. “One way to ensure continued growth is through coaching, and we were honored to be a part of bowling’s rising popularity in Brazil and throughout Latin America.”
The Team USA contingent also assisted the Brazilian junior team in preparation for the 2006 American Zone Youth Championships in Mexico. It paid off in a remarkable silver medal in the boys’ team event. Growing the sport in other countries, particularly in Central and South America, promises greater notoriety for bowling in the years to come.
With 92 countries represented at the 2006 QubicaAMF World Cup, international support for sending competitors to the showcase demonstrates bowling’s potential as an Olympic sport. Each year, the World Cup brings together more countries than any other tournament on the calendar, proving that the international sports community is strongly interested in bowling.
In addition to the countries with established bowling programs that appear in international competition on a regular basis, other countries with fledgling programs such as Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, India and Uzbekistan also competed at the World Cup. More than 100 million people bowl worldwide, of which more than 10 million take part in tournaments, leagues and championships.
Olympic-sport status or not, one perk enjoyed by Team USA members is the annual trip to the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., for training camp. While days at the Olympic Training Center are long and the practice sessions grueling, the classroom meetings are informative and the bonding time is entertaining. The “team” is put into Team USA – a team that stands for honor, for pride and for country.
“Team USA gives me the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest players and coaches in the world,” said Lynda Barnes, wife of Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour star Chris Barnes and mother of twins Ryan and Troy. “It makes me a better person, player, mom and teammate.”
Read More
Contact UsHave a question about USBC Team USA? We’re here to help you. Feel free to contact us anytime.
David Garber, Team USA High Performance Director
David.garber@bowl.com
(817) 385-8280
Pat Winkels, Team USA Manager
Pat.winkels@bowl.com
(817) 385-8226

Team USA TrialsSunset Station, Henderson, NV
January 3-7, 2011
The U.S. Team Trials began in 1971 and brought together top American Bowling Congress Championships Tournament finishers and leading collegiate bowlers to determine competitors in FIQ and other international events.
Athlete Registration Form | Tennelle Milligan | Shannon O'Keefe
Participants in the Team USA Trials compete in four nine-game blocks over four days, completing a 36-game total to determine finishing position. The competitors take on a different Team USA lane condition each day for a chance to join Team USA in international competition.
Read More
2010 PABCON Women's Championships2010 PABCON Women's Championships
September 25 - October 2, 2010
Henderson, NV
It is with great pleasure that the United States Bowling Congress welcomes all the member federations to the 2010 PABCON Women's Championships, a tournament featuring the top women bowlers from the American Zone.
The 2010 PABCON Women's Championships will be hosted on 72 lanes inside Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's Strike Zone Bowling Center located in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.
2009 WTBA World Women's Championships2009 WTBA World Women's Championships
July 27-Aug. 3, 2009
Las Vegas, Nev.
A record 46 countries competed in the 2009 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Women's Championships from July 27-Aug. 2 in Las Vegas, surpassing the previous record of 43 set in 2007 in Monterrey, Mexico.
The total marks the most countries to compete in the World Women's Championships since it split with the men's championships after the 2003 event in Malaysia.The event took place in one of the most unique venues in the sport of bowling on the 60 specially constructed lanes inside Cashman Center in Las Vegas. The temporary lanes were built inside the convention center earlier this year and have hosted the USBC Open Championships, which concluded July 24.
Read More
Junior Team USAJunior Team USA brings together the greatest assemblage of talent to be found in the ranks of youth bowlers in the country. Recently, the team continued it stradition of success when it dominated Masters match play Saturday, sweeping the boys and girls gold and silver medals while also taking a boys bronze at the 2009 Pan American Bowling Confederation Youth Championships.
Kristie Petravich of West Palm Beach, Fla., defeated Christine Bator of Warren, Mich., 2-0, to take the girls title, while Jake Peters of Decatur, Ill., beat Daniel Spink of St. Louis, Mo., 2-1, to take the boys gold medal.
Read More
Team USAThe Team USA program – initiated by ABC and WIBC to replace the U.S. Team Trials – was started to fulfill ABC constitutional requirements calling for a national amateur championship. The first national championship was held in 1986. Dan Nadeau of Las Vegas and Cora Fiebig of Madison Heights, Mich., were the first men’s and women’s national amateur champions, respectively.
Two years later, the U.S. competed in the Olympic Games in South Korea as an exhibition sport.This year’s Team USA brings together arguably the most talented crop of bowlers ever assembled. Walter Ray Williams Jr. will represent the country at the QubicaAMF World Cup and heads a group that includes Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour standouts like Wes Malott, Chris Barnes, Patrick Allen, Bill O’Neill, Tommy Jones and Rhino Page, a group that collectively holds 90 Lumber Liquidator’s PBA Tour titles.
Read MoreJunior Team USA
USBC Junior Team USA consists of 10 boys and 10 girls. Four boys and four girls qualified based on highest actual pinfall from Jr Gold. 2 more boys and girls are selected by the National Selection Committee.
The top two (2) boy and girls finishers in the 2011 Team USA Trails will earn automatic spots on Junior Team USA 2011, while two (2) additional boys and girls will be selected by the National Selection Committee from either the 2011 Team Trials, or 2010 Junior Gold Tournament in Indianapolis.
To qualify for Junior Team USA 2011 spots:
1. Participants must be USBC members (adult or youth).
2. 20 years old or younger before January 1, 2011. Anyone older than 20 before January 1, 2011 will not be eligible to make Junior Team USA, but can qualify for the Adult Team.
Read MoreThe National Selection Committee is charged with selecting those athletes who are most likely to create the strongest USBC Team USA and Junior Team USA. It has the latitude to consider any qualifications and criteria that it believes would be helpful in creating the strongest team, such as the following:
Performance, which includes all international competitions, as well as any USBC tournament or certified collegiate bowling tournament within the previous three years;
Physical Game, which includes, but is not limited to, the many physical elements that comprise an athlete’s game, such as approach, arm swing, timing, release versatility (changing rotation and lay-down point) and speed control. It also includes, but is not limited to, the ability to play different angles, shoot spares, change equipment and adjust to different lane conditions;
Mental Game, which includes a variety of subjective factors such as coachability, adaptability, practice regimen, ability to stay focused, attitude, commitment, ability to perform under pressure and sportsmanship; and lastly,
Team Play, which includes, but is not limited to, the intangible, but crucial ability to be a positive factor in building rapport, confidence and winning attitude among the team members and coaches.
Read MoreReplacement Team USA and Junior Team USA Members
If, during the calendar year, an athlete is unable to continue as a member of USBC Team USA or Junior Team USA by voluntary choice (resignation), because of injury or ineligibility as defined by international federations rule(s), a replacement shall be named if there are USBC Team USA or Junior Team USA competitions left in the year as follows: The National Selection Committee shall confer at the time of replacement and name a new at-large member from the pool of athletes who were eligible for such selection at the USBC Team USA Trials or USBC Junior Gold Championships.
Organization moved through many stages on way to USBC
The United States is no stranger to international bowling competition. Bowling on a global scale for the U.S. stretches back several decades and has achieved many milestones along the way. The country’s history on the world bowling stage dates back to the 1930s, when Dr. Joe Thum organized teams that traveled to Europe.
In 1961, the U.S. became a member of the Federation International des Quilleurs, recognized since 1979 as bowling’s worldwide governing body by the International Olympic Committee. The U.S. made its official international debut in the 1963 FIQ World Championships in Mexico, dominating the competition.
The U.S. Team Trials began in 1971 and brought together top American Bowling Congress Championships Tournament finishers and leading collegiate bowlers to determine competitors in FIQ and other international events.
In the 1980s, things took off for the U.S. national bowling program.
The United States Olympic Committee, along with the ABC and the Women’s International Bowling Congress, jointly served as bowling’s governing body since the sport’s acceptance by the USOC in 1986.
The Team USA program – initiated by ABC and WIBC to replace the U.S. Team Trials – was started to fulfill ABC constitutional requirements calling for a national amateur championship. The first national championship was held in 1986. Dan Nadeau of Las Vegas and Cora Fiebig of Madison Heights, Mich., were the first men’s and women’s national amateur champions, respectively. Two years later, the U.S. competed in the Olympic Games in South Korea as an exhibition sport.
In 1989, the United States Tenpin Bowling Federation was founded by the ABC and WIBC and became bowling’s governing body. Four years later, the organization changed its name to what it was known as until 2005 – USA Bowling. Governed by a 12-member board which includes three athletes, USA Bowling was the world-wide representative of the United States in international competition. USA Bowling was recognized as the sport’s governing body in the United States by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the FIQ.
USA Bowling coordinated all amateur international competition promoted by USOC or FIQ, and conducted the National Amateur Championships. In addition, it was the leader in providing instruction and coaching programs to help bowlers advance in ability.
Koenig, Borden guiding forces
During the late 1980s and early 90s, two figures had a profound effect on shaping U.S. bowling for years to come – Jerry Koenig and Fred Borden.
Over the years, Koenig was instrumental in placing bowling in the global spotlight. In 1987, he was the guiding force in achieving medal status in the Pan American Games. In 1988, he was the administrative coordinator for bowling’s participation in the Olympic Games in South Korea. And in 1989, he was the principal advocate in achieving USA Bowling’s recognition by the USOC as the National Governing Body for the sport.
Koenig was appointed as the organization’s executive director at that time, later also becoming its CEO, and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2003.
During his tenure, Koenig’s No. 1 priority has been and continues to be supporting and promoting Team USA through ongoing education and superior coaching.
Koenig said the major difference in the U.S. national bowling program from when he began his term as CEO/Executive Director in 1989 and today was that it became an independent system (USA Bowling and Team USA) rather than a process under the administration of ABC and WIBC.
“It created separate entities to build the best possible U.S. team,” Koeing said. “In my opinion that occurred.”
While Koenig was the dedicated leader from an administrative perspective, Borden was the heart and soul of Team USA, guiding the national amateur team to international prominence.
The personable Borden – known to his friends as “Pards” – coached Team USA to numerous gold medals in FIQ Zone and World championships and the Pan American Games before originally retiring in 1996. He returned to the job in 2000 and retired after the 2003 season. Borden led Team USA to great success in 2003, as the squad captured 64 medals in international competition.
Team USA memories
A great honor of Borden’s teaching career came in 1989 when he was named head coach and advisor for Team USA. Among the highlights of Borden’s years as Team USA head coach was the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba, when Cuban leader Fidel Castro visited the competition as a spectator. Perhaps as an intimidation factor, Castro showed up at the bowling center with his entourage just before the competition. After Pat Healey Jr. rolled an important strike, Borden turned toward Castro and shook his fist in the air. Team USA won gold medals in the men’s and women’s team event and Healey captured the men’s individual event gold medal. “We dominated the Pan Am Games that year,” Borden said. “Fidel Castro had to salute the American flag. That was a time. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your athletes on the medal stand as they’re playing the National Anthem.” One bowler whom Borden coached and who knows something about the medal stand is Diandra Asbaty. The seven-time Team USA member – generally regarded as one of the best female bowlers in the world – won four medals in the 2003 FIQ World Championships in Malaysia. “It was Fred Borden’s last tournament as our coach and everyone felt that they wanted to pay tribute to him by performing the best we could,” Asbaty said. “To me, the biggest tournament in the world is the World Championships and to have such a great showing in a country where bowling is really respected was incredible.”
Coaching program has great influence
As part of USA Bowling and Team USA’s history, Borden and Asbaty know first hand how integral coaching was to the success of Team USA and USA Bowling. Under Borden, a major development for Team USA and USA Bowling was the coaching program. Though Borden will be remembered for leading Team USA to success, his name also is inherently linked with USA Bowling Coaching (now known as USBC Coaching). A visionary and leader in the bowling industry, Borden developed and authored the core curriculum for the USA Bowling Coaching program, the only bowling coaching program recognized by the United States Olympic Committee. USA Bowling Coaching, which Borden founded in 1989, today has blossomed into a complete program that trains and certifies quality coaches who can instruct bowlers of all ages and abilities. The coaching emphasis Borden started greatly improved the pool of competitive bowlers in the United States and continues to have a profound influence on the sport as a general instructional element across all levels of bowling through the USA Bowling Coaching program. “Ninety percent of the credit (for the coaching program) goes to Fred Borden,” Koenig said. “Others supported and helped, but Fred continued as the driving force.” Borden, in turn, credited Koenig for his role in helping develop a top-notch coaching program. “USA Bowling will be indebted to Jerry for his insight and leadership to start the coaching program. During his tenure, his major concern was education and the coaching of our sport,” Borden said.
A bold new era under USBC
Both Borden and Koenig see a United States national bowling program with tremendous opportunities under USBC. With a streamlined, more efficient operation, more resources could be devoted to the continued growth of USBC High School, USBC Collegiate and the USBC Coaching programs, which together can stock and coach a tremendous pool of athletes to keep the U.S. strong in international competition in an atmosphere of increasing competition, Borden said.
“The world is improving,” Borden said. “I think we have a great vehicle (in USBC). With more college and high school coaches I think we have a nice future ahead of us. We have to cultivate high school coaches. I have a lot of faith in Bob (Maki, Director of USBC Coaching). I think he’ll do a lot of good things.” It will just be another chapter in a long history of United States bowling on the international scene.
Read MoreThe United States Bowling Congress greatly values the time commitment by Team USA athletes to participate in official competitions throughout the year. In the past, athletes have received particular grants, either through the United States Olympic Committee or through USA Bowling, based on need, finishing order at the USBC Team USA Trials or other criteria generally suggested or required by USOC.
In 2004, USA Bowling instituted the Athlete Subsidy Program under which athletes received a per diem subsidy, in addition to meal per diem, of approximately $200 per day for non-travel days committed to the program.
Basic Grants
Educational/Physical Fitness Grants
Performance Grants
The major competitions for Team USA in 2008 are: Men’s World Championships and the Women’s PABCON Championships (formerly American Zone). For 2008: Performance grants will be awarded to athletes in these events as follows:
Men’s World Championships
(Note: Players bowling the event are the only ones eligible)
Women’s PABCON Championships (formerly American Zone)
(Note: Players bowling the event are the only ones eligible)
USBC realizes that and the effect on particular athlete’s ability to receive grants may depend on eligibility issues, including USBC Youth membership and those with current/future NCAA scholarships. Unless USBC is advised otherwise by the athlete, checks will be issued to all those eligible hereunder.
Subsidy payments will likely be treated as a form of income by the Internal Revenue Service. Therefore, USBC will issue 1099s where required ($600 or more reimbursement per year, per person). You may be able to offset income received by your educational expenses incurred. Consult your tax advisor for further information.
Read MoreAs stipulated in the NGB Application, the following is to be published in rules for each protected competition and forward to each participant in the Team USA National Championships in advance.
A. Grievance and Due Process Procedures – Protected Competitions. Board authority is outlined in the USBC Bylaws Article X.
B. Grievances Related to Opportunities to Participate.
C. Due Process. Due process will be provided any athlete, coach, trainer, manager, administrator or official filing a grievance regarding his/her opportunity to participate in, or attempt to qualify for selection to participate in a protected competition.
D. Due Process – Procedure. When an athlete, coach, trainer, manager or administrator is charged with a violation, which does not require an immediate decision or a decision in less than twenty (20) days, the following elements of due process will be provided:
E. Due Process – Expedited Procedure. When an athlete, coach, trainer, manager or administrator is charged with a violation, which requires an immediate decision or a decision in less than twenty (20) days, the following elements of due process will be provided:
F. Appeal. Written notice of the appeal procedures will be included with the written decision. Appeals must be filed within ten (10) days of the written-decision date. Appeals will be heard and decided by a USBC Appeals Committee, which has at least 20% athlete representation within thirty (30) days. An athlete has further appeal rights as outlined in the USOC Constitution.
G. Published Procedures. Due process procedures are published for athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators and officials in the following way:
The governing body of tenpin bowling. Click here to learn more.
Participants accumulate points over the course of the year in the events listed on this page. The top 16 men and women will become eligible for the final ranking tournament, which will be held at a date and location to be determined. The top eight men and women from the final ranking tournament will represent the American Zone in the World Ranking Masters.
This year’s Team USA may be the most talented crop of bowlers that the United States has ever sent into international competition, featuring a collection of legends that includes Walter Ray Williams, Wendy Macpherson, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Kim Terrell-Kearney, Tommy Jones, Wes Malott and many more.
Your 2009 Media Guide brings you up to date on the careers of all the great players that will be competing internationally with Team USA this year including Junior Team USA standouts such as Andrew Koff, Kristie Petravich, Geoffrey Young and Brittni Hamilton.
Also featured in your media guide is a wealth of historical information on past results and rosters, information on major events such as the QubicaAMF World Cup and the PABCON Adult Championships, and much more. Click here to download your copy now.
Read More
Click for more information on stars from current and past Team USA rosters, including 2010 PBA Tournament of Champions winner Kelly Kulick, reigning PBA Player of the Year Walter Ray Williams Jr., three-time Dydo Japan Cup champion Tommy Jones, and many more.
If you would to have a Team USA bowler appear at an event in your area, email Kristin.Warzinski@bowl.com to make arrangements.