Marquette University students aren’t the only ones taking advantage of the bowling alley located inside the Union Sports Annex.
Every Monday night for approximately 12 weeks beginning in January, Marquette faculty and staff members are invited to split into teams and compete against each other in a bowling league. Interested players are asked to register either as an individual or with a three-person team.
Brad Schloss, the operations coordinator at the Alumni Memorial Union, said that the faculty and staff bowling league is not something that is new to the university.
Schloss said that the league was started in the mid-80s by an individual who was working in intramurals for recreational sports. While the league took a two–year hiatus, Schloss said it started up again in 2012.
Schloss also said that while the league is currently played at the Annex, it got its original roots elsewhere.
“It started out at the Eagles Club in Milwaukee and then moved around to several different bowling alleys, such as Showdown lanes and Bay View Bowl” Schloss said. “From 2012 and on, the league has been played at the Union Sports Annex, and many of the same teams bowl for this league each year.”
Since 2012, however, the faculty and staff bowling league was forced to take another pause during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robin Cork, an access services specialist in Marquette’s Law School, has participated in the league for over eight years, and she said that she is proud to see it has made its anticipated return this semester.
“Unfortunately, we did not get to bowl last year because of COVID-19, so it’s just been so great to finally see everyone again and really get back into it,” Cork said.
Stacy Rauen, a senior advancement officer, said that this league is known for bringing people all across the campus together.
“There are professors from the different colleges that combine together to form teams, as well as staff from each department that join us,” Rauen said. “Sometimes, we even get deans to bowl with us.”
For Rauen, the best part about her Monday night is getting to know her colleagues that she may not get the chance to interact with every day.
“Since joining this league, I’ve met so many new people,” Rauen said. “Walking around campus now, I feel like I have friends everywhere.”
For those interested in participating in the league but are unwilling to commit to playing every week, Dan Biemann, maintenance center supervisor for recreational sports, said that this should not hinder anyone from showing up.
“Even though I personally am not quite able to come every week, I still love the camaraderie and the opportunity to get out of the office and bowl with my teammates when I do come,” Biemann said. “It’s a quick, easy and fun night out.”
Biemann also said that to get involved with and enjoy being a part of this league, one does not need any prior bowling experience.
“I’m not the best bowler, but everyone here is just so encouraging, whether they are on your team or are on any of the other teams,” Biemann said.
So, whether a Marquette faculty or staff member wants to drop in just for one night to bowl or to play every week during the season, Cork said that they are more than welcome.
“I would say to everyone to just come and give this a chance, and if you don’t like it, then you don’t need to come back,” Cork said. “We have so much fun, and I definitely think it’s just worth giving it a try.”
This story was written by Erin Howard. She can be reached at [email protected]
