Storm Products Inc. (SPI), a major manufacturer of bowling balls, made a large donation to the fledgling bowling team.

The company donated five cases of Rotogrip Premium bowling balls, a total of 20 balls for students to use next year. This donation is worth approximately $6,000.

These particular bowling balls are designed for better scoring on difficult lane conditions, according to bowling coach Joel Logan.

Roto Grip Ambassador Rick Mitchell, a SPI employee, helped orchestrate a donation of this kind because most teenagers cannot afford all the necessary start-up equipment for first time bowlers, which includes shoes, bags, accessories, and balls.

“Performance balls average $150 – $240 per ball. Even with using cleaners and proper oil extraction the performance level balls last maybe two years. Average life is about 18 months for someone bowling three to four times a week,” Mitchell said.

Upon receiving the balls, students will need to get the old finger holes plugged and re-drilled, but Mitchell has helped in that way, too.

“I also approached a few pro shops to hopefully give the students a discount on that service, and they all seemed on board,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell and his Sales Manager Travis Celmer decided to start giving matchmaker balls to high school programs, as both of them are former bowlers.

Matchmaker events are where bowlers can try new equipment without having to purchase until they have made the best decision. SPI also offers quick lessons at these events.

As a result, “this past fall I made contact with […] Logan and told him I would get balls for him to help get the program up and running as soon as the balls got cycled out of our demo sets,” Mitchell said.

Logan said he was “godsmacked” upon hearing of this donation.“I have never received such a generous gift personally or even in a professional capacity. It is humbling that KD bowling is receiving this level of support especially since we are in our infancy.”

Logan plans to issue every student who makes the team next year one of these balls.

Mitchell and SPI hope to continue helping the team, potentially donating towels, cleaners, and other accessories next year.

SPI has also donated balls to York Vo-Tech as part of their community outreach.