Junior Jesse Stock’s passion for bowling has turned into a league of its own: a new Bowling Club at St. Thomas.

Stock’s inspiration for the club came from his experience and love for the sport.

“I’ve bowled for a year and a half at least once every week,” Stock said. “I used to work at Midway Pro Bowl.”

The Bowling Club officially started last semester, with its first and only meeting over January term.

“There were 12 guys; we got four free pizzas and an hour and a half of free bowling,” Stock said. “Bowl for free, eat some free food, why not?”

This semester, Stock wants more people to join. Even though his average score is 178, he wants club members to know that they don’t have to be an avid bowler like he is.

“We want everyone to be able to join,” Stock said. “We don’t want to limit our population just because of their ability.”

Stock said he has yet to set foot in the Anderson Student Center’s bowling lanes, but during the meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28, he specified that there would be a vote between the club’s members to choose where they bowl.

The choice is between Midway Pro Bowl and the St. Thomas lanes, however, both come at a price. The St. Thomas lanes ranges from $15 to $18 per hour for students depending on the day of the week with a $2.50 shoe rental. Though he is not certain, Stock said he is confident that St. Thomas will compensate the club for these costs.

Club’s future debated

Sophomore Matt Bearth, captain of his high school bowling team and bowling club member, said that he would like to see the Bowling Club become more competitive.

“It’s that competitive element and the added pressure that makes (bowling) fun,” Bearth said. “I would like to see it become an NCAA sport.”

Bearth also said he sees himself as a potential leader for the Bowling Club after Stock’s graduation.

“Yeah, I would like to (lead),” Bearth said. “I started a bowling team in my high school; I was the captain of that team, and I coached it. I’ve been in leadership positions in the bowling world.”

Freshman member Nicole Lopez said she has a different opinion of what she hopes the club’s future will hold.

“I know other members want it to be competitive, but I just want it to be a place where I can learn and grow personally,” Lopez explained. “You wouldn’t already need to be in a league or be an amazing bowler; you would just need the interest and desire to improve no matter what level you’re at.”

Whatever their ability is, Stock said he wants each member to get at least three bowling events in during the semester. He also said that competing with neighboring teams would be exciting.

“(Competing) would be fun,” Stock said. “I haven’t heard of any bowling clubs at Hamline or Augsburg. That would be a cool Tommie-Johnnie to see a bowl off.”

Even though this newborn bowling club is a long way from becoming an NCAA team, a university-sponsored club sport may be in the future. However, Stock said he would like to build up the club first.

“This is definitely a club to begin with,” Stock said. “I would like to get the ball rolling and then hopefully I’ll be able to hand it off, and it will stay strong.”

Ultimately, Stock’s inspiration and motivation to start the club was to keep his passion alive.

“I hope to raise awareness about bowling among the students on campus,” Stock said. “I think it’s kind of a dying sport, and I don’t want it to die. It’s too much fun.”

Laura Landvik can be reached at land7854@stthomas.edu.