Bowling team hopes to return to its 'glory days'

Former SJSU bowler and current PBA member helping the team

Osvaldo Castillo

Justin Bautista, a junior animation major and president of SJSU's bowling team, is determined to bring the team back to its glory days.

"Back in the '90s and early 2000s, the team competed in the Nationals (national collegiate bowling championship), which consisted of the top 16 intercollegiate teams in the nation," he said.

According to the SJSU bowling team's Web site, the team's best finish came in 1993, when they finished second at the national championship. The team finished third the year before.

Bautista also said that this is the first time the team will have a women's squad in more than a decade.

"I was on the team last year", said returning player Amber Bradbury, a sophomore child development major.

"But since there was no female team, I had to compete against men," she said.

The team is also excited to have professional bowler and SJSU alumnus Tony Reyes take some time of his schedule to help them out.

Reyes has won numerous titles and $462,627 throughout his career, according to the Professional Bowling Association Tour Web site.

"I am very grateful to have a past collegiate bowler helping us out," Bautista said. "It is nice for him to be giving back to where he started."

Kalvin Filarski, a sophomore, business management informational systems major, said he was awestruck to have Reyes' assistance.

" I just saw him on the pro tour and now he is coaching me. It is unbelievable," he said.

Stephanie Ajimura, an undeclared freshman, and Darren Hawkins, an undeclared sophomore, also said they were grateful to have Reyes on hand to provide them with his opinion and some constructive criticism.

The team is also excited to have two major sponsors this year. The first one is Vise Inserts, which provides the team with grips for fingers and slugs for thumbs. Vise Inserts has sponsored the team in the past.

Hammer Bowling, the team's new sponsor this year, provides the team with new free T-shirts.

Both companies are also giving discounts to players on accessory items such as bags.

Despite all the excitement surrounding the team, there is still one major difficulty that the team must overcome: fundraising.

"Club sports gave us $3,000 this year," Bautista said. "I want to get the players in the habit of raising money for the team."

Each player needs to raise $1,200.

"It is difficult to raise money for the team because some of the players are not from around here," Bradbury said. "These players simply do not know where to look for sponsors and it is not like the school gives out bowling scholarships."

Ajimura said that people are reluctant to give money to a bowling team.

More funding will enable the team to participate in tournaments in Reno and Davis.

The team also hopes to be able to play at least one tournament on the East Coast.

Bautista says the team is most excited about the Silicon Valley Classic in February, being held at Moonlite Lanes in Santa Clara, because they consider it to be their home tournament.