[It is difficult to determine an exact start date, but the goal is to be sanctioned by the NSAA for the 2006-2007 season. Most of the questions listed would not go into effect if, and when the NSAA picks up the program.]

[That is an incorrect statement. The current program is not considered a club level activity of the NSAA. To be considered a club event, this program must be available statewide and it currently is not. By following the Federation proposal, the possibility of bowling becoming a club or varsity sport would then be possible. The current program is basically a 'large YABA traveling league'.]

[There have been several changes within the bowling world in the last couple of years. First, many states have discovered that high school bowling is a great program, encouraging new student participation. Second, the bowling industry has discovered the fun and excitement of high school bowling. Third, the collegiate world, being led by the University of Nebraska and the NCAA, has also embraced bowling. These changes, along with the success of other state programs, have allowed the bowling movement to become popular in all areas of the country.]

[Yes. It is unrealistic in today's financial climate to expect a school district to financially take on a new program. The group that is willing to sponsor the program is the Nebraska State Bowling Proprietors Association. It is also unrealistic to run a high school program without the involvement and support of the bowling centers. The NSBPA does not plan on running the operation of the program, only assisting in its organization and financial commitments.]

[It is not expected for any coach to lose their job, unless the coach chooses to, if the NHSBF is adopted by the NSAA. Currently, there is a contingency to allow non-school personnel to coach a team. In order to be eligible to continue coaching, a coach would be required to take a mandatory class to become certified by the state.]

[Although a good program in its own right, the older Nebraska High School bowling program has some inherit flaws. First, due to the geographical size and state demographics, the current system favors the eastern third of the state. It is financially irresponsible to expect a team from the western half of Nebraska to continually travel to the eastern end of the state to qualify for the state finals. Second, the long season that currently exists puts an undue financial burden on some participants involved.]

[The proprietors are not trying to 'ramrod' this into the NSAA. The truth is that the proprietors couldn't force this to happen, even if they wanted to. The only way that bowling can be accepted as varsity sport is by the kids asking if this can be a program. To assist in these efforts, parents and kids are asked to talk with their athletic director, principal, superintendent and school board. Let these people know how great bowling is and why it these kids deserve the same recognition as other sports. Bowling takes talent and skill. Student-athletes should be recognized for their performances on the lanes. Bowling should be a varsity sport in Nebraska.]

[No. A scholarship tournament could still be run outside the winter sports season or 'window'. Also, scholarships could still be awarded during the season but they will have to include an emphasis on education or grades. Any scholarship event outside of the winter window could still award scholarships, just like they do now.]

[The High School Bowling Program will not 'kill' the YABA. It is true; kids competing in a recognized NSAA program will NOT be able to compete in youth leagues during the winter sport season. This problem can be addressed, in cooperation, with the state-bowling proprietors. Proprietors will be encouraged to make their youth leagues schedule compatible with this program. In another words, a Saturday morning program might be broken into 3 seasons, as opposed to 1 long season. High school kids could then bowl the first and last session, and not effect their high school standing. In other states that have high school programs, YABA has actually seen an INCREASE in membership. 

A perfect example is what happened in York, NE.  By combining proprietor involvement and the directions of the NHSBF, Sunset Lanes in York went from having 0 kids, to 31 kids trying out for the York High School Team.  Of these 31 kids, 26 of them have NEVER bowled in a YABA league.  This proves that the Federation concept will help develop new bowlers.

Also, there is a possibility that the bowling program could ask for an exemption. If an exemption were granted, nothing would change in regards to YABA status. This possibility is somewhat remote, yet an option.]

[Just like you currently cannot compete in say basketball and wrestling simultaneously, you would not be able to compete in wrestling and bowling (assuming they are both winter sports). A bowler could compete in, for example, football and bowling. These sports operate in a different sport season; therefore they are no restrictions to participation. 

In other words, a student could not compete in more than one sport simultaneously. A student could, however, bowl in YABA leagues in the fall and spring seasons. Many young people, such as you, already face a decision involving simultaneous sports. What it comes down to is what student-athlete likes to do more.]

[It is true that you would compete against just one school at a time in normal conference play.  This, however, doesn't mean it will be boring.  First, the conference would now have merit.  Teams would actually compete for a conference champion and an all conference team.  Just like in football or basketball, a teams record would be kept in wins and losses, i.e. 8-2 or 7-3.  The conference leadership would have the option of conducting their conference as standard matches, or duals, triads, or quads.  This would somewhat recreate the 'electric' feeling that some tournaments have also; this would allow geographic disparities to be addressed.  Conference standings would be used to determine position for districts.]

[Then there may not be a bowling team at that school.  There is not a school in the state that offers every sport.  Some schools do not have enough enrollment to field full teams.  This problem is based on demographics and has no bearing on bowling.]

[The NSAA allows for a maximum amount of games to be played in a season. That maximum takes into account both conference matches and tournament play. Federation sponsored tournaments would not have to count in that total. One possibility then would be establishing a maximum number of games at 10. A conference meet counts as one game. A team could participate in 8 conference meets, two Federation sponsored tournaments, and two other tournaments of their choosing. Along with this example, some existing tournaments may become District tournaments. Ultimately, this could create more room for JV participation in these events. ]

[All teams will bowl in a district qualifier (currently 6 are planned).  At district, 8 or 16 teams would advance to the state finals based on class participation.  There is also a possibility of allowing individual's that were all conference or district team members, the opportunity to advance to states in a singles competition.  Details on this plan have not been finalized, however, this would address a possibility that a team may have one really strong player and they should have the opportunity to be recognized.]

[No organized practices are allowed out of season.  An organized practice is one where a coach is working directly with a pre-determined number of players at one time.  For Basketball, the number of players that constitute an organized practice is four.  (NSAA 3.2)  For Bowling, that rule would be determined at a later date.]

[Yes, during the summer, clinics may be held for players.  The clinics can be no longer than 21 calendar days continuous from the first day of the clinic. (NSAA 3.2.4.1)]

[Yes, where the school does not sponsor such programs. (NSAA 3.2.4.2)]

[Yes. The NSAA calls this cooperative sponsorship, and it is allowed where enrollment, finances, and coaching resources are not available at one school to enable them to field a team. No more than three schools shall be allowed to combine. The cooperative sponsorship arrangement must be for a minimum of two years, although the arrangement may be voided at any time by mutual agreement of both schools. The NSAA Board of Control must approve all cooperative sponsorships. (NSAA 2.13.4)]

[The NSAA does not determine how letters are awarded to players. This decision is made at the school level. (NSAA 2.16.1)]

[No.  Teams will carry extra players on their roster.  If the team is still short players,  they receive '0' for the missing players.]

[In most school districts, home-schooled students are not allowed to participate on high school athletic teams. If your local school district allows home-schooled students to participate, then those student-athletes will be allowed to participate in the NHSBF. If your local school district does not allow home-schooled students to participate, then those student-athletes will not be allowed to participate in the NHSBF.]

[First, there are two interpretations of 'JV program'. One program considers JVs grades 6th-12th. The NHSBF considers JV players as student-athletes in grades 9th-12th.  This matches other school sports. The NHSBF allows for JV and Varsity competition.  A middle school program consisting of 5th-8th graders will be announced during the 2003 year.  This new program will be designed to help facilitate youth development for the high school program.]

[The Iowa Scholastic Activities Association was set to accept the bowling program developed by the Iowa Bowling Proprietors Association, but then declined at the last minute.  The ISAA is currently facing a budget crunch, as most Nebraskans can relate to.  The ISAA governing board did not feel that is was appropriate to accept a new sport, when they are currently going to eliminate one or more sports due to budgetary reasons.  The ISAA will re-evaluate the bowling program within the next two years after the 'dust has settled' in regard to the other sports being cut.]