INDUSTRY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT FOR 2008 - Tom Clark
GREENDALE, Wis. -- The Billiard & Bowling Institute of America has named United States Bowling Congress Vice President of Marketing and Communications Tom Clark as its Industry Service Award recipient for 2008.
Each year, BBIA presents its Industry Service Award for contributions by an individual who has excelled in promoting and advancing the sport in the billiards and/or bowling industry.
Since coming to USBC from USA Today in April 2005, Clark has refocused and enhanced USBC’s communications efforts to better promote the sport as a whole.
"It's great our industry has a group like BBIA that understands the need and rewards efforts to better promote our sport,” said Clark, who was named Bowler’s Journal International magazine’s “Person of the Year” in 2005 for his efforts in promoting the sport. “This recognition is really a testimony to the work the entire USBC staff and board of directors have done to set our direction and grow the sport through improved exposure."
Some of the initiatives Clark has spearheaded include:
- Working to re-establish women's bowling on television through events such U.S. Women's Open, sponsorship of the PBA Women’s Series and bringing the 2007 USBC Queens to live television.
- Enhancement of bowl.com to include bowltv and other multi-media interactive features.
- New focus, look and editorial direction of USBC publications, primarily US Bowler and US Youth Bowler magazines.
- Improving USBC tournament and event on-site appearance that enhances experience for fans and viewers.
- More aggressive media relations efforts outside the industry.
- Establishment of USBC bowling spokespeople and ambassadors.
- Integrating USBC Sport Bowling and PBA Experience programs in marketing and public relations efforts.
Clark, a native of Syracuse, N.Y., came to USBC after a successful career in journalism. From 2000-2005 he was a sports assignment editor for USA Today, the nation's highest-circulated newspaper. At USA Today, Clark directed the golf and tennis coverage, assisted on NBA and NFL coverage and was the lead editor five straight years on the national-award winning USA Today Super Bowl Bonus Section. He also contributed a bowling column on USAToday.com.
Previous BBIA Industry Award recipients have included great bowlers and billiard players, leaders of various organizations and show business personalities. Clark joins the ranks of Jackie Gleason, Chris Schenkel, Dick Weber, Minnesota Fats and last year’s recipient, Jim Bennett, among others.
BBIA was formed in 1940 by industry leaders in both bowling and billiards. The purpose of BBIA is to serve an education function and foster communication between the leading companies in both industries. BBIA also offers manufacturers an opportunity to discuss business with the industry's top distributors in a relaxed atmosphere.
United States Bowling Congress
Headquartered in the Milwaukee suburb of Greendale, Wis., USBC is the national governing body for the sport as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and serves more than 2.6 million members.
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