Dorin-Ballard: bridesmaid for a career, queen for a year - Striking Out - Carolyn Dorin-Ballard - Statistical Data Included

Bowling Digest, Feb, 2002 by Dick Evans

DeChalus, who also served in the Pacific Theater of operations during World War II, admits he is having trouble thinking about bowling these days. "I have been in a state of depression since September 11," DeChalus says. "To be honest, worrying about bowling problems doesn't seem really important in a time of national disaster. At first I just wanted to put back on my uniform and boots and go out and help. I knew some of the young firefighters killed and their fathers. I have stayed away from listening to TV news and reading the obits. It's just too depressing."

Bowling itself has been a healthy outlet for DeChalus, who earned a degree from Brooklyn College and a master's degree at Michigan State. "I'm not a great bowler. I average only about 168 but I still enjoy the game. I bowl in two leagues and that helps."

Apparently, bowling is helping a lot of Americans temporarily forget the tragedy because many bowling centers across the country reported increased business just a few days after the attacks.

DeChalus offered a portend about what was going to happen to the single membership issue before word came out from bowling headquarters that the delegates would not vote on the controversial proposal until 2003 (instead of 2002).

"Quite frankly, I have been waiting for the committees to report before making any personal decision," DeChalus says. "In theory, single membership is what we should look at, but in reality everybody has his or her own turf that they want to protect. I expect great resistance at the local levels. It may not sit well with all our volunteers.

"I haven't decided in my own mind what is best for the game in the future. Being older, history means a lot to me. The ABC is 106 years old and maybe it needs tweaking, but I frankly don't know if you need to restructure all of bowling. The women [WIBC] also have a long history and may want to remain and have their own identity. I don't have a closed mind either way. I guess you could say I'm from Missouri, and you have to show me and prove to me a better way to do business."

This ABC president makes great sense. He has his hand on the pulse of the bowlers at the grassroots level. And after talking to him not long after the September 11 terrorist attacks, I know for a fact his heart is at Ground Zero in Manhattan.

Too bad the ABC could not make an exception and extend DeChalus' presidency one year to make sure his reign is not recalled in the same breath with the terrorists' attacks. He would not agree with that suggestion because his beliefs are rooted in tradition, and according to ABC tradition every president serves only one year.

But in my mind, Tom DeChalus is a special exception.