This year, Stanford's athletic program is expected once again to be named the nation's finest -- no thanks to the bowling team. "We're not contributing much there," admits captain Ward Bullard, '00, who started the team his freshman year with a handful of buddies. But what they lack in skill, they make up for in, uh, enthusiasm.
In the stodgy world of college bowling, the team stands out for its wacky antics and carefree attitude. Players go by whimsical nicknames -- Dr. Smooth, Wolfman, Big Wave Dave -- and compete for awards for the most "creative bowl." The Band's ever-colorful mascot, the Tree, has joined the squad on occasion. President Gerhard Casper is even an unofficial team member. "We've gone to tournaments and really spiced things up," says Bullard, whose personal high score is a 225. "We're there to remind everyone to have a good time, because that's what bowling should be all about."
The team also has a thriving community-service program. Last fall, it sponsored its second annual charity tournament to benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This spring, with prize money from the Stanford Alumni Association's Pierce Award, the team launched its "Born to Bowl" program. For three Saturdays in April, team and community members taught the art of bowling to second- and third-graders from Escondido, an elementary school on campus. "Basically, we're just trying to get an early edge on the recruitment process with these kids," Bullard jokes. "We want them growing up and thinking of bowling when they think of Stanford."
