Mr. Hal Kaminski
Tournament Director
National Bowling Stadium
P.O. Box 5279
Reno, Nevada
89513-5279

As an active and current lifetime member of the A.B.C. I take great pride in participating in the annual American Bowling Congress National Championship Tournament. The years of participation and camaraderie amongst our fellow members, both locally and internationally, has given me many great memories.

I do feel though that an injustice was served at this year’s tournament in Reno. In preparation for the tournament I ensured all details with regard to my two teams and to their entry into the tournament were complete. Along with this came the filling out of the green recognition card that distinguishes many members as local association volunteers, past championships, honour scores at the National tournament and also National Team members. For three years now I have been trying to honour a player on my team with the 10 seconds glory of during these squad room announcements. John Pavicic has been an A.B.C. member for 40 years and has attended approximately 20 National tournaments. From 1991-1993 John was a member of Team Canada.

Upon arriving at the National Bowling Stadium on March 17^th I confirmed with the Public Relations individual the information to recognize Mr. Pavicic. He assured me that the announcement would take place. It was to my surprise that at the completion of the squad room announcements that the recognition of Mr. Pavicic did not occur. Approximately 10 individuals were recognized for their accomplishments during the March 18^th , 7:20 p.m. squad. At the completion of the squad room announcements the Tournament Night Manager asked if there were any questions of the participants. I approached the podium and asked if it was an oversight that Mr. Pavicic’s Team Canada selection was not announced. He proceeded to inform me that his "orders are to only recognize Team U.S.A."

This shocked me. Why should a membership based organization be selective on the recognition of any of their members? Needless to say John and I were displeased. My teammates and I talked to the squad room supervisor and he thought it would be best if we spoke to you regarding this issue.

The following day, prior to our singles and doubles, I met with you and another staff member to discuss the decision to only recognize Team U.S.A. members during the squad room announcements. Your answer, if you recall, was for the issue of the time element. Your response was also that "if we were to recognize every team member from every country our squad room announcements would take forever". I would agree that lengthy squad room announcements are not the most pleasant but for some of our members, especially those with numerous years of participation, this is one of the main reasons they attend. I’m sure if the A.B.C. discontinued this ‘Individual Recognition’ of our members the tournament participation would surely decline.

I am asking that you and your committee re-think your position on this practice. I feel that if we are to continue to be the leaders in the bowling industry we need to treat all our members with equal respect. To favour one individual over another would only turn back the clock of progress and inhibit the exposure surge that our fine sport so desperately needs.

Yours in Bowling,
Michael Snow
Captain - Snow’s Big Dogs Entry 03533
A.B.C. Lifetime Member LT135