The American Bowling Congress was ceremonially dissolved and the new era of the United States Bowling Congress was ushered in last Friday at the 114th and final ABC convention in Baton Rouge, La.

The morning session was devoted to honoring ABC, the delegates and volunteers who served as the backbone of the organization. Paul Egbers addressed more than 1,300 delegates as ABC's 91st and final president recalled many of the organization's milestones during its 109-year history. He also reminded the delegates of their integral role in building USBC.

The convention took on a festive atmosphere that included a Blues Brothers skit performed by USBC chief executive officer and former ABC executive director Roger Dalkin and USBC chief operating officer and former ABC assistant executive director Jack Mordini.

Delegates were also treated to a video tribute of late ABC Hall of Famer Dick Weber as well as a retrospective of past conventions. Egbers showed a plaque commemorating the retirement of Weber's ABC membership card number that USBC will honor. The ABC flag was ceremonially retired to a traditional Louisiana funeral march.

The 2005 Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow award went to Brandon Temple of Tempe, Ariz. and Bowling Proprietors Association of America executive director John Berglund presented its local award to the Dodge City (Kansas) Bowling Association.

Bowlers to Veterans Link donation awards were presented to the following: Denver BA (largest contribution percentage over previous year), California BA (most funds contributed by a state), Mississippi BA (most funds contributed by a state based on membership size), Virginia BA (most funds contributed to BVL national headquarters) and Dallas BA (most funds contributed by a local association).

With the ABC flag retired, the USBC flag was raised during the afternoon session that focused on what USBC has accomplished and how it seeks to grow bowling. The USBC board of directors was then introduced.

USBC president Michael Carroll updated delegates with an overview of USBC from an organizational and governing standpoint. Carroll cited four axioms key to helping USBC map its future: (1) be streamlined and business effective, (2) be member-oriented, (3) find ways to close the gap between people who bowl (average age 24) and current USBC members (average age 40) and (4) form partnerships and alliances.

Carroll added there would be a focus on youth development, developing "stars" to grow the sport and providing leadership to the USBC network.

Dalkin outlined USBC's operational aspects past, present, and future. This included creating his leadership team, restructuring headquarters to meet future needs and eliminating organizations and structures no longer needed. He discussed some of the changes already implemented and the speed and efficiency in which they have been made (which was not possible when the member organizations were separate). Dalkin focused on the importance of promotion but more importantly, promoting membership and services.

"This hasn't been done in the past, but that will change in 2005," Dalkin said. "We need to brand USBC, and be proud of that brand, so that when people see the USBC logo; they know what it stands for."

Dalkin also told delegates that USBC needs to tell the world what it is doing and about its activities - sharing USBC's success both within and outside the bowling industry. Dalkin closed with a quote he hoped all would take to heart: "Critics hang around and wait for others to make mistakes. The real doers of the world have no time for criticizing others. They're too busy doing, making mistakes, improving, and making progress."