Join the Track Legion
TRACK BOWLING PUTS STAFF PLAYERS ON SOLID GROUND
Apr 22, 2010
Track bowling has marked off day one of its third annual Track Training Camp, as the bowling company’s armature and professional bowling staff gathered at the Ebonite International, Inc.‘s, training and testing facility in Hopkinsville, Ky.
In an industry that continues to decline, Track bowling managed to grow steadily during the last fiscal year, according to Ebonite International, Inc. Vice President of Marketing Bob Reid.
Reid credits Track Brand Manager Paul Figliomeni with the brand’s growth, saying that the manager’s desire to do what was best for bowlers was how the brand continued to produce quality products.
“We are building solid ground here,” Reid said. “This brand is ready to blow.”
In addition to Figliomeni’s attention to the Track brand, the company’s commitment to support its PBA staff players on tour was a huge benefit for Ebonite International, Inc., said Reid.
“We sent the brand managers out on tour to play tour rep during the season and this guy here,” Reid said, gesturing toward Figliomeni, “…was 5-0 as ball rep.”
Reid wrapped up his welcome by challenging the room full of Track representatives - as bowlers, pro shop owners/operators - to keep Track on its upward swing.
“Do what you’ve got to do to get Track in the hands of bowlers,” Reid said.
Also making an appearance during Tuesday’s seminar was sports psychologist Dr. Gregg Steinberg, who Golf Digest ranked as one of the sport’s masterminds. Steinberg, who is currently a professor at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., has worked with some of the world’s greatest athletes and biggest companies in the world.
“Everyone has a trigger,” he said. “For Mohammad Ali it was a blue bike. As a child he wanted a blue bike and he saved and saved and saved his money for this blue bike. The day after her bought this bike he rode it all over Louisville showing it off. When it was time to go in for the night, he locked his bike up and the next morning, it was gone. Someone one had cut the lock on his blue bike and it was gone. He never found out who took his bike, so every time he got in the ring, he would picture his opponent as the guy who stole his blue bike.”
John Janawicz, of Kegel, led informative sessions on lane topography and making quality adjustments on the lanes.
Lane topography is a topic Janawicz has studied intensely. Over time, bowling center lane beds become mis-shapen, with issues such as crowning and depressions. His company has developed a lane-mapping system, and has the capability of correcting lane topography to make the lane meet USBC specifications.
Janawicz presented video demonstrating ball reactions which are affected by uneven lanes.
Making proper adjustments is key to success on the lanes, and the advice Janawicz gave attendees is sure to increase their skill level.
Ebonite International Marketing Services Manager Brenda Green instructed Track staffers on how influential social media can be in a session called “It’s Not About What You’re Having For Lunch!” In an effort to demonstrate, some sessions were streamed live over the internet on the trackbowling.com website. Viewers from home were allowed to listen in and participate in a live chat throughout the day.
To round out the day, Jason Kosby, Product Development Engineer for Track, spent some time explaining bowling ball surface adjustments needed to maximize score potential. His research on emerging technologies depends a great deal on how different surface roughness can change a ball’s performance.
Once again the Track Legion came from near and far to attend the camp because of what they can learn.
Second year camp attendee Lee Bowlin, of Charlotte, N.C., said he came because you can never learn too much about the product.
Will Wilson flew out of Orange County, Calif., to travel 2,000 miles and across the multitude of states separating California and Kentucky for his vacation.
“It’s a break away and I get more information and the opportunity to become a better bowler and learn a few things. It’s killing two birds with one stone,” he said.
Brian Krantz, also of California, took a bit longer to get to his third Track Camp. Because of a visit to Los Angeles by President Barack Obama, extra security caused a delay in his departure. He was glad to finally make it to Hopkinsville, even if it was late.
The Track Bowling camp will continue through Friday when it will wrap up with on-lane coaching at the Pinnacle Family Entertainment Center in Clarksville, Tenn. Meanwhile, bits of the camp and the lectures will be aired live on the brand Web site TrackBowling.com
—Track Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment - Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. The company’s consumer product brands include Ebonite, Hammer, Robby’s, Columbia 300, Track and Powerhouse™. Its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
