Our History
Our Mission
Season 2021-22 marks another new beginning in our Senate’s history. My Mission is to provide exceptional leadership to our fellow bowlers and members. My Vision is to grow our membership, provide financial help to our striving youth that want to go to a college or university, support our Junior Bowlers on their quest to become young adults, and to further stabilize our Senate financially for a successful future. My promise to all bowlers and members is to dedicate as much time as humanly possible while continually building a strong foundation, “Paving the Road to the Future.”
Welcome all of you to the new beginning.
TNBA History
The National Bowling Association, Inc. (TNBA) is a Not-for-profit Organization, organized in August 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, for the express purpose of encouraging minorities to develop their skills in the game of Ten Pins. It was originally known as the “National Negro Bowling Association” because at the time of its birth, Blacks and other Non-Caucasians were not permitted to belong to ABC or WIBC because of certain restrictive clauses in their constitutions.
Because our membership included a large number of American Indians, Asians, Hispanics and people of color other than Black, in 1944, our organization was renamed “The National Bowling Association, Inc.”
We participated actively in the fight for “Equality in Bowling,” and in 1950 both ABC and WIBC removed the Non-Caucasian clauses from their constitutions. Starting in 1951 TNBA members have enjoyed the privilege of competing in all open sanctioned tournaments. Although approximately 80% of our present membership is Black, TNBA has no racial restrictions whatsoever as to membership or participation. TNBA’s slogan is “Promoter of Sportsmanship, Fellowship and Friendship” – Ideals which are accomplished through organized competition. Today TNBA has over 30,000 members and 7,500 junior bowlers in 110+ senates across the United States and Bermuda.
Learn more at www.tnbainc.org.
Inland Empire Senate History
Doug and Ruth Woodley founded the Inland Empire Senate (IES) in 1989. Up until that time, the closest senate was 70 miles away. But by then enough bowlers were gathered and the Inland Empire Senate was a reality. Over the years, the membership has grown to over 200 plus. The Inland Empire Senate would like to say “Thank You” to the Woodley’s for introducing us to TNBA and let them know that our love, dedication and commitment to TNBA will take us through all endeavors.
IES Presidents
Ruth Woodley
There are many reasons to be a member of TNBA:
Membership allows you to compete in all TNBA tournaments across the USA.
Membership allows you to become a national delegate or member of the tournament staff on the local, regional and national levels.
As a member of IES, your child or grandchild graduating from high school may qualify for TNBA scholarships at both the local and national levels.
Terry Cleveland
With membership you become eligible for TNBA honor awards –You must submit your award application promptly. A member may qualify for the same or lesser award only once a season. To get your honor award application, see a field representative or a senate officer within 30 days of your achievement. TNBA awards must be in the national office within 45 days.
Sanctioning a league — Contact your league secretary or senate secretary. To sanction a league.
Jacque Downs
Adding your name to our membership roll can help us grow larger, stronger, and even more effective in promoting opportunities and protecting the interest of bowlers.
Fostering Sportsmanship, Fellowship and Friendship. Note: You do not have to be a bowler to be a member.
Programs
High score awards – TNBA, offers awards that rival, and often surpass, those offered by other sanctioning organizations. TNBA offers awards for both the high and low average adult/junior and youth bowler. Games must have been bowled in a duly sanctioned TNBA and USBC league or tournament. Junior Bowlers – The purpose of the Junior Bowling Program of the National Bowling Association, Inc. is to foster and promote the game of Ten Pins among both boys and girls. Membership is open to all youth bowlers up to age 20. Their membership fee is $7.00 per year.
Rob McDaniel
TNBA Junior Bowling Program promotes Sports-manship, Fellowship and Friendship through encouragement, tutelage and guidance needed to learn the game and develop the skills that are essential to full enjoyment and successful competition. Junior bowlers may bowl in TNBA regional tournaments. Regional winners may bowl at TNBA’s National Junior Bowler Roll off. In addition to bowling, TNBA Junior Bowlers are given instructions in the basics of everyday living, such as: a sense of fair play in sports and daily habits, respect for others, leadership, responsibility and honesty.
TNBA Junior Bowlers are directed towards meaningful lanes of life with their footwork in good timing with Sportsmanship, Fellowship, and Friendship. Junior Council – This program at the senate (Jr. League) level provides opportunities for junior bowlers to actively participate in their league operations and be part of the decision making process. It also provides a base for future Senate members and leaders. Junior Council members have the opportunity to apply for National Junior Council participation.
King/Queen – Male and female members across the country compete for the honor of National TNBA King and Queen. The competition consists of raising funds for scholarships and other programs. The male and female raising the most funds are crowned the National King and Queen at TNBA’s Joe Thomas
Coronation Ball during TNBA Week at our national convention and tournament.
Karl Downs
Tournaments
For adult bowlers, in addition to various national tournaments, we also participate in numerous local tournaments.
· City Tournament (February)
· Rhodman (March)
· Tri-Senates Tourny (Jan., Apr., Aug., Dec.)
National Championship (May)
· Las Vegas Quads (October)
· Western Regional (November)
· Battle of the Sexes (December)
· Misc. “Fun” tournaments (various)
For the junior bowlers, we promote:
· Western Regional (March/April)
· Jr. Rhodman (June)
· National Championship (May)
Fred Robinson
King/Queen – Male and female members across the country compete for the honor of National TNBA King and Queen. The competition consists of raising funds for scholarships and other programs. The male and female raising the most funds are crowned the National King and Queen at TNBA’s Joe Thomas
Coronation Ball during TNBA Week at our national convention and tournament.
Doug Woodley
Scholarship Program – The Inland Empire Senate annually offers scholarships from the Inland Empire Senate Scholarship Fund (IESSF). IESSF was founded in 1993 with the purpose of assisting students of TNBA members with the cost incurred while enrolling into college. These scholarships are offered to local graduating high school seniors, with applications forwarded on to the National level.
Battle of the Sexes – This is a fun event where male and female teams bowl against each other vying for the privilege of bragging rights for a year.
Funds raised from this event go the IES Scholarship Program.
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Take a Stroll Down Inland Empire Senate's History
Check out our beginnings ( from 1988 through 2020.) There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and get to know us. We hope you enjoy our journey
(Stay tuned to our 2021+ continuation with current IES President Ruth Woodley .)