ive just been wondering. does anybody know what it takes to get sponsored?

I've known a few people that have been sponsered once they got to the college level. And in addition to scores and averages, personality seems high on the list of what sponsers are looking for. Scoring well in tournaments and getting to a lot of tournaments is important to the sponser. If you cannot get to tournaments (for people to see you representing them) then they don't see the benefit to them. If you get hot headed, dress sloppily or have chosen "distinquishing personal styles" they will stay away. But all of them have been asked, instead of seeking the positions. Sounds like you have the skills, I would get to tournaments, be neat and professional at all times in dress and manner (no ego) and volunteer at demo days and clinics in your area. Getting yourself in a position to "rub shoulders" in an understated fashion helps. That's where the volunteering comes in. Also your local USBC probably has a youth committee, you can become involved in that too, which shows dedication and volunteerism to potential sponsers. This is also good for college scholarship opportunities. I would suggest moving more in that direction keeping your school grades up of course. Its a lot to expect of a teenager I agree, but look at it as "playing the game"; a means to an end. Keep your focus on college and when you choose schools pick one that is known for bowling as well as having a major you will enjoy. No body can bowl forever and you'll need a back up plan for when that happens. Very few high level bowlers make a living bowling. Its kind of like that big documentary years ago "Hoop Dreams". If you haven't seen it, rent it.

Erin

There are a couple of aspiring young bowlers that I know of who are actively looking for sponsors. The local Pro Shop has given them big cuts on equipment and shirts in exchange for time spent in the shop. The House gives them practice time in exchange for working with youth groups. Other than that, I do know they solicit support from local businesses. The diner across the street from the Center contributes a few bucks, and one of them receives a courtesy car from the Dodge dealer to drive to local tournaments. Don't know about the entrance fee coverage for tournaments, though. I suspect one has a Dad with deep pockets. The other works the desk at the Center to pay for it.

When I was your age, the house where I bowled foot the bill for much of what I needed, including car pooling to team events sponsored by the house. And, membership to YBPA and ABC.

From what I've seen, you need to be someone who will persuade people to buy the brand of bowling balls that you're throwing. That could be because you're a good bowler and you do well in a lot of tournaments or that could be because you work in a Pro Shop or as a distributor and talk to people about bowling ball purchases a lot.

If your job or your actions aren't going to drive business to that company, they're not going to sponsor you.

Of the guys who bowl on TV, there is a decent amount of them who are "free agents" and don't have a contract with a specific manufacturer. The reason for that is because the companies only want to sponsor a select few. Look at Storm. They Sponsor PDW, Rhino, Jeff Carter, and Brian Himmler to name a few. If you look at the 4 of them, they are VERY different. PDW is the flashy, in your face guy that has won a LOT of tourneys. He has been at the top of the game for a long time. Rhino Page is the up and comer. Last year, they were trying hard to sign him. He threw Storm, Roto, and Ebonite last year (he was throwing Ebonite when he won). They locked him up after the season was over. Jeff Carter has been doing well on the Regional front for years. He does a lot for charities as well as clinics. Brian Himmler was a name from a few years back who doesn't bowl on tour as much anymore. He still does all of the charity events as well as clinics.

One thing that they all have in common. They love the sport and they love talking about the sport. They all do what they can to promote it. They all try to give back to the sport. Also, all of them are approachable. Years ago, PDW wasn't. Now, he is. I bowled in a Regional Pro Am this past summer. The first person I bowled with was Jeff Carter. He is a very nice guy and very easy to talk to about the game. Anyone who had questions or wanted an autograph, he signed it. On the other hand, Eugene McCune was there as well. I didn't bowl with him but I talked with some of the people who did. They said that he barely spoke with any of them and pretty much kept to himself the whole time. If it was up to me, I know who I would sponsor.