USBC coach makes bowling everyday fun
A USBC certified Level II coach, Cormier has been bringing new ideas to life at the 32-lane center since she was hired as its youth coordinator 22 years ago. Soon after she came on board, she launched an after school program for elementary students that offered two games of league bowling as a popular alternative to after school day care.
She's maintained a rapport with seven area schools, which allow Acadiana Lanes' two buses to pick up participating children from their schools at the close of one day each week (different days for different schools). An organizer at heart, Cormier also has developed a sign-up system that makes it easy for school administrators, teachers, parents and students to support and join the program.
Summer fliers help advertise the after-school bowling program. Before the school year begins, this direct mail piece is sent to previous participants and interested others on the center's mail list. When school starts, letters explaining the program are sent home with students in grades 1-8.
Cormier speaks to the school principals and delivers fliers to each school, then sets up league rosters the first day of each after-school league. To join, parents must sign a printed permission slip that allows the Acadiana Lanes' buses to pick up their children and transport them to the center.
"Parents trust us - they know that we have a good wholesome atmosphere here," said Cormier.
Once the after-school program is underway, parents pick up their children at the center on their way home from work. This offers regular opportunities for Cormier to speak with parents about their children's progress and suggest additional chances for competition in tournaments.
"If I can get a league bowler to try just one tournament, I know next year they'll be back as a league bowler. They'll want to be eligible to bowl in more tournaments," Cormier explained.
Local and state youth bowling association tournaments, league and state levels of the Pepsi USBC Youth Championships and the Grand Prix Scholarship Tournament draw many of Acadiana's youth bowlers. Seventy-five children advanced to the state level of the Pepsi USBC Youth Championships through leagues at Acadiana Lanes, which hosts more than 450 bowlers in its youth programs.
Youth bowlers wanting to play in regular three-game series leagues can bowl in the Classic or All-Stars youth leagues Saturday mornings and a Sunday evening adult/youth league held at the center, which also offers a separate Saturday youth league for cognitively challenged adults.
"I call this my Perfect World league, because everyone is happy with their performance, knocking down pins just to have fun. They don't have big egos and they support each other," Cormier said. "I try to get my other youth bowlers to support each other, too."
Since Louisiana has adopted bowling as a high school varsity sport, Cormier has developed an after-school high school league to help prepare bowlers for varsity competition. Approximately 60 students bowl in two short season leagues, one that plays prior to the December start-up of the varsity season and one that plays after the varsity season is over.
"There were Acadiana Lanes junior bowlers on four of the high school teams bowling in the state playoffs this year," Cormier said proudly.