August 7th, 2024
The Islanders have paved their own way in the Nebraska bowling scene since the team’s implementation in 2021.
In the few years Grand Island Senior High has had boys and girls bowling teams, they have claimed multiple titles – including Class A Boys State Champions, Class A Girls State Runner Up, and Boys Coach of the Year (Coach Paul Lee), to name a few.
It’s fair to say that the GISH Bowling teams have given the community so much to be proud of. Now, the team is on the receiving end, as one national retail foundation recognized their dedication.
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation awarded GISH Bowling with a $10,000 Sports Matter grant.
"The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation believes that sports have the power to change lives, and we are proud to present the Grand Island Senior High Bowling Team with this $10,000 Sports Matter grant in celebration of Sports Matter's 10th Anniversary this year,” said Becky Goettman, Manager of Charitable Giving and Marketing at The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation. “We are so glad to have the opportunity to support the students on this team and are excited for all the opportunities this will bring them."
The grant came as a surprise to the team, as a bowling parent applied for the grant.
“We never expected it, but it will definitely come in handy,” said Paul Lee, GISH Boys Bowling Coach.
“This is huge for us. Bowling really isn’t in the forefront of sports so we’re trying to get it there,” Lee expressed. “We’ve had some pretty good success in the early years, and we hope to continue that, and this will help us to continue that success.”
Lee, who leads the teams with GISH Girls Bowling Coach Brad Earnest, said they are going to look into a few ways to use the grant funds.
“I know that we could use some new technology to improve and record what the bowlers are doing, to show them what they‘re doing wrong and how we can improve their game,” Lee said.
Bowlers Eryk Stuchlik and Kaleigh Kuusela, both Juniors at GISH, said this grant means a lot to the whole team. They each started bowling at age 2 and 4, respectively, and are happy to see the support from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“It shows that people care about how bowling is becoming a sport. It helps us raise awareness toward the bowling program,” Stuchlik said.
Kuusela said being part of the bowling team is like being part of the family. Through the sport, she’s learned to exemplify what being an Islander means to her.
“Being an Islander means that you're always going out and giving your best,” Kuusela said. “Being on the bowling team is one of the ways you can prove you’re always going out and doing your best, and being the best person that you can be.”
Kuusela’s statement embodies what Coaches Lee and Earnest aim to do.
“We definitely try to make them better bowlers, but more importantly, better people,” Lee said. “They [the student athletes] know how important good sportsmanship is, and that they’re representing GISH. We want to represent GISH in a positive manner.”
Stuchlik echoed the sentiment.
“To represent the Islanders is to show sportsmanship and dedication to the sport and to the school that you love, and to show kindness to others,” Stuchlik said.
Thank you, Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation, for your support of Grand Island Senior High Bowling! GO ISLANDERS!
#WeAreGIPS
