The Golden Age of Bowling

For professional bowling, the 60’s and 70’s became a golden age as professional bowlers were able to earn lucrative amounts of prize money through regional events and national tournaments. In the same year Trinity University opened its new recreational center in 1963, Harry Smith became one of the top bowlers and was earning $75,000 annually which would currently be worth more than half a million dollars. In the following year, another bowling legend, Don Carter, received a million dollar deal endorsement. This was the first time any athlete of any sport had received such an amount. These high paid deals and rewards demonstrate how popular the sport was at the time. It was a sport that many people participated in as it invited everyone of all skill levels to play. The sport’s popularity was noted by the public and Trinity University was part of this. Not only did the school set up a bowling league for its students but it also formed an intercollegiate bowling team in the late 60’s. Not much was mentioned about the early years of this bowling team in past articles and documents, it was in the 70’s where Trinity’s coverage on bowling increased substantially. This could have possibly coincided with the hiring of a new bowling coach in 1970 in the form of Richard “Dick” Yerly.