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Bowlers can build their college fund By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Young Rogue Valley bowlers have the opportunity to improve their skills and earn scholarship money for college at the same time. It's part of the Higher Education and Leadership Program for Scholarships, sponsored by the Medford Area Young Bowling Alliance. Director of the program is Colleen Padilla, who is the junior bowling coach at Medford Lanes and a Silver Certified Coach at the center. The program is open to boys and girls between the ages of 5 to 21, according to Padilla. The Medford Area Young Bowling Alliance is sponsoring fund-raising activities, including bowlathons at Medford Lanes, Roxy Ann Lanes and Trinity Lanes of Ashland. Proceeds go to the scholarship fund for junior bowlers in the Medford-Ashland area. In the program, young bowlers receive points for participation in local junior bowling leagues and for participation and success in selected regional and state tournaments. For a $5 fee, bowlers can add to their accounts in the scholarship program through points accrued in league bowling and tournament play. Money accrued can be converted into scholarship money at the college of their choice up to 24 months after their graduation from high school. Points are compiled for the junior bowlers until they reach age 21, Padilla says. At that point, the juniors are awarded scholarship money based on the points they accrue, when they enter college. "It's a great opportunity for kids to learn to bowl and earn money to go to college," says Padilla. "We're starting our fourth year in the program, and response has been better and better each year." Cost to enter the program is $5. "We had 218 kids in the program last year, and we expect more this year," says Padilla. "Bowling is a sport that people tend to stick with for a lifetime. That's why the program is so beneficial. Nearly $15,000 has been raised for the program budget in the last year, Padilla said. A big fund-raising project annually is the Marshall Holman Triple Play junior tournament at Medford Lanes, Roxy Ann Lanes and Trinity Lanes." Holman, a Hall of Fame professional bowler who grew up and nurtured his bowling skills at Medford Lanes, is chief fund-raiser and contributor to the program, according to Padilla. He is expected to be in Medford April 22-23 of next year to help run the tournament and meet local junior bowlers. "I grew up in the junior programs here, and this is a way for me to give something back to the sport," says Padilla. "I know Marshall feels the same way." All tournament age-division winners will receive official bowling pins autographed by Holman, Padilla said. For information on the program, call secretary Debbie Gibson at 664-5855 or Padilla at Medford Lanes (772-2682). Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.