2020 Storm Youth Championship Season Announced

BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – Storm Products is proud to announce that the Storm Youth Championships will have a total of eight events scheduled for the 2020 Tour.

The Storm Youth Championships were created in 2017 and launched with two events. The vision for the SYC began as a way to give back to the bowling community, educate youth bowlers, and invite the whole family to participate.

“When the SYC was born, the goal was to celebrate the sport of bowling and create an event that families could enjoy together,” Gary Hulsenberg, Vice President of Business Development. “Through the support of all the families who have attended an SYC and their feedback, we’re excited to be able to expand the tour and visit four new bowling communities in 2020.”

As the SYC has grown, events have been added to the schedule each year. Two events were added in 2018, and the season was expanded to six events in 2019. Our events wouldn’t be possible without the support of the staff of each host bowling center and the families in each community that we visit.

In 2020, our schedule will expand to eight events.

2020 SYC Schedule:

February 15-16, 2020 – South Point Bowling Plaza, Las Vegas, NV

April 18-19, 2020 – Mermaid Lanes, Mounds View, MN 

May 23-24, 2020 – Smyrna Bowling Center, Smyrna, TN

June 13-14, 2020 – Western & Expo Bowl, Indianapolis, IN

August 8-9, 2020 – Bowlerama, New Castle, DE

September 12-13, 2020 – Northrock Lanes, Wichita, KS

October 3-4, 2020 – Planet Fun & Little River Lanes, The Carolinas 

November 7-8, 2020 – Boardwalk Bowl, Orlando, Florida

More information about each event will be provided on the Storm Bowling website as the tournament date approaches.

In 2020, the SYC events will continue to create a welcoming environment where youth bowlers and their families are invited to visit a new community, meet new bowlers, and learn by competing on challenging conditions developed by KEGEL. In addition to the tournament, each event includes a seminar filled with education led by one of our Team Storm members, a practice session on the patterns, as well as a SYC social where friendships are built. At each event, the top three bowlers in each gender and age-based division are awarded with bronze, silver and gold medals. At the conclusion of the tournament the overall champions receive a special SYC trophy, medal, and earn a banner that is showcased at every SYC event.

In addition, each season includes one “major” event where we award the top two overall youth bowlers in each division with a spot on the Storm All-American Team. In 2020, the Storm All-American Team will be named at the event in Indianapolis. These 12 kids earn a custom All-American jersey and jacket provided by the Official SYC Merchandiser, Logo Infusion. This event will be hosted at two bowling centers in Indianapolis and will have more than 400 entries available.

“Our owners, Bill and Barbara Chrisman, have given endlessly to bowling around the world and have always tried to inspire existing bowlers while developing new bowlers,” Hulsenberg said. “Their support of youth bowling always includes education mixed with fun to create lifelong bowling enthusiasts. No matter what age or skill level the youth player in your life is at, attending the SYC is sure to leave a positive impression on them. We welcome all and look forward to seeing you in 2020!”

We are very proud to award scholarships to our top finishers in each event. In 2019, we awarded $98,670 in scholarship to our athletes through the SMART Fund. Since 2017, we have awarded $203,065 in SMART awards to SYC bowlers. We look forward to continuing to reward bowlers and help them achieve their future educational goals.

Charity is a very special part of the SYC. Each event supports Ballard vs the Big “C” in numerous ways.  Every entry includes a $10 donation to BVBC. On-site at each SYC, Carolyn and Del Ballard bring silent auction items for the SYC families to bid on. Since 2017, we have raised more than $50,000 to help fight the war on cancer through the SYC.

SYC Champions continue to demonstrate their dedication to the sport of bowling after the event concludes. Past champions have continued to excel at the youth level earning national titles and representing the United States on Jr. Team USA. Some of the athletes have also used what they learn to compete collegiately and even on the PBA and PWBA Tours. Their dedication to the sport is evident but SYC athletes also learn to be dedicated to giving back and staying committed to their education. Through scholarship and the opportunities to learn about college bowling, athletes develop a desire to continue to learn at a higher level and discover their passions. The opportunities available to these bowlers through the sport of bowling are endless. The SYC builds connections for these families that can last a lifetime.

Entries for the first event in 2020 which will take place on Las Vegas will open on December 2 at 12 pm Mountain Time on stormbowling.com/SYC. 

This tournament would not be possible without the generous donation from all of our sponsors, Storm, Roto Grip, Logo Infusion, Kegel, 3G Shoes, Ballard’s Bowling Academy and Bowlers Journal International. In 2020, our scores will continue to be uploaded live through the official scoring system of the Storm Youth Championships, BowlMetrix.

If you are interested in becoming a supporting sponsor of the Storm Youth Championships or would like more information, please contact our SYC Team at syc@stormbowling.com.