Kelly Kulick Returns Home to Ebonite Kulick Honored for Her Place In

SERVING THE BOWLING INDUSTRY SINCE 1967 Kelly Kulick Kulick Honored For Her Place In History Returns Home To Ebonite Life altering experiences teach bowler what’s truly important in life Kelly Kulick has had some pretty life altering experiences in the last few weeks. She became the first woman to compete in a Professional Bowlers Associa- tion major title championship, which she went on to win against one of the top male bowlers. Following that win, she was volleyed around morning shows and heralded as bowling’s Billie Jean King, despite some very notable differences. At International Women’s Day Reception Hosted By President And Mrs. Obama King’s win came in the tumultuous time of the women’s liberation movement and against masochistic male chauvinist, Bobby Riggs. Also, the Battle of the WASHINGTON, D.C. – The last thing Kelly Kulick could have imagined as she Sexes was for entertainment and status, a one-time thing, whereas the PBA rolled her way to victory in the Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Tournament of Champions is an annual event. Champions in January was that her historic victory would lead to a visit to the White Nevertheless, Kulick’s win was viewed as a giant step forward for women, House. bowling, and most of all, for women in bowling. And, she is fine being pitted as a And beyond simply acknowledging her as the first woman to win a Lumber Liqui- role model for any female aspiring to compete in any sport at any level. dators PBA Tour title, Kulick found herself being honored as an American pioneer “I’ve admired the work ethics of other great athletes and have aspired to be who had carved out a unique place in the nation’s history as the first woman to win like them. I think we all have heroes,” she said. “Billie Jean (King) changed the a major championship in a male-dominated professional sport. face of tennis as we now see it; if I can have the same affect on bowling, so be Kulick was invited to attend the International Women’s Day reception held in the it. I am willing to take on the responsibility as long as we all receive the recogni- East Room of the White House on Monday in celebration of Women’s History tion”. Month. Hosted by President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, approximately But Kulick’s story began long before her face off with Chris Barnes in the 250 women attended the event which honored contributions of women in history Tournament of Champions. and contemporary society. The story of Kelly Kulick began when she was 6, when she began bowling in The event began approximately 5 p.m. Eastern with a speech by Mrs. Obama her first league. Her best friend’s father was manager of a Union, N.J., bowling who recognized all those in attendance. center that was trying to increase league participation, so she signed up and “Today all of you are joining the long list of incredible women who have graced attended every Saturday, she said. these halls both as visitors and as residents, from admirals and actresses to civil “For the longest time I wanted to be a professional bowler,” Kulick said. “I re- rights pioneers,” Mrs. Obama told the group. “We’re here today not just to pay trib- member my fifth grade teacher going around the room and asking each student ute to leaders and icons and household names. During Women’s History Month, what they wanted to be when they grew up. Under my picture, it says profes- we’re also here to honor the quiet heroes who’ve shaped this country… We honor sional bowler.” the women who traveled those lonely roads to be the first in those courtrooms, to The dream to become a pro bowler cemented when she was a senior in high be the first ones in those boardrooms, to be the first ones on those playing fields… school she said when her passion for basketball began diminishing. We honor women who refused to listen to those who would say that you couldn’t or “I wanted to have a career after college that was sport related,” she said. shouldn’t pursue your dreams.” Kulick attended Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky., where she was President Obama then spoke of the roles of women in building America, the a three-time collegiate player of the year and two-time All-American. From there, women he has appointed to positions of influence within his administration, and his she began her professional career representing Ebonite on the now defunct Pro- hopes for gender equality in the future. fessional Women’s Bowling Tour where she was the 2001 Rookie of the Year. Kulick said there was no formal receiving line or photo opportunities, but after the She also won the 2003 Women’s U.S. Open. speeches by President and Mrs. Obama, there was a short reception where she did After the PWBA folded in 2003, Kulick began bowling in the PBA Eastern Re- get to meet very briefly with President Obama. gion, in which she cashed in 12 of 14 events. In 2006, she became the first “I was really just taking it all in and I was looking to see who I might recognize,” woman to earn a PBA tour exemption, once again representing Ebonite. Kulick said. “They might have been there, but I didn’t notice any other sports fig- Although she had a successful year, she was unable to keep her exemption. ures. In 2007, after competing in a pro-am event with the daughter a writer of the “I didn’t have a chance to speak at length with the president or first lady, but I did Marvel Comic Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, she became a supporting get to meet the president and shake his hand, which was certainly a great honor. character in the comic as friend and former girlfriend of Flash Thompson. Kulick said it was a simple and moving ceremony. The loss of her exemption, though, has taught her what is truly important in “The president’s speech was very moving and paid tribute to the accomplish- life. ments of women who have been pioneers in all walks of life and as role models we “As a person, I have strong values and believe that family comes first,” she are setting the example for the generations that will follow us,” Kulick added. said. “There is nothing more important to me than my immediate family.” Kulick’s visit to the White House was the most recent by a bowler in an official In her spare time, she enjoys country line dancing and recreating recipes by capacity, but there have been a handful of other noteworthy White House visits by substituting spices and seasonings. bowlers since 1971. “I work out five or six days a week when I am home,” she said. “I do cardio, President Nixon, an avid bowler himself, invited a delegation of Federation Inter- weight training, and yoga. All have benefitted me as a bowler, but more impor- nationale des Quilleurs (FIQ) World Championship bowlers and officials to the tantly, as a person.” White House lanes around the time of the World Championships which were held in Doing for one’s self is the lesson the loss of her exemption taught her. Milwaukee in 1971. “During the last three years, I have come to the belief that you have to be self- In 1984, AMF World Cup participants Mary Mohacsi, the late Darold Meisel, ish sometimes,” she said. “I often set aside my own happiness or take time out Laura Dulisse and two-time PBA Tour champion Jack Jurek met with President of my schedule to help others. I finally learned to put Kelly first. Now, I am more Reagan and Vice President Bush in the Oval Office prior to the World Cup in Syd- energetic, more enthusiastic about life and over all, a happier person.” ney, Australia, where Jurek won the men’s individual competition. After her Tournament of Champions win, Kulick rejoined the Ebonite team. In 2008, the Vanderbilt University team that won the NCAA Women’s Collegiate (Continued on page 9) Bowling Championship was invited to the White House to meet President George W. Bush as part of a celebration of collegiate championships. MARCH 2010 - www.bowlingworld.com 7 .

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