Shawna Strause, Of Tucson, Lands Highly Coveted Role With Storm.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Tucson - - - Shawna Strause, of Tucson, Arizona, recently took a page out of Victor Kiam's playbook. Well, almost
Kiam, the former CEO of Norelco Shavers, and former owner of the New England Patriots had a famous phrase. That phrase was: 'I liked the product so much, I bought the company'. Shawna, who is one of the top female bowlers in Tucson Metro, may not have been able to purchase the bowling line she cherishes. But, she did the next best thing. She was able to land a highly sought after position.
"I was on staff with another company for the 2016-17 season. As my contract was coming up for renewal, one of my mentors, Paula Vidad had just transferred to be with Storm," she said, on how she landed a job as an ambassador with the company. "After reviewing the history of Storm and learning all they are involved in, I decided Storm was a much better fit for me. Being a member of the Storm Family is just that, a Family. I couldn't be happier with my decision."
There were 12 bowlers who were chosen for this position as an ambassador with Storm. Brooke Carroll, of Phoenix, was another person chosen for the ambassadors role. Shawna believes the possibilities are endless in her new position with the Utah based company.
"I have done some traveling already in October. I spent four days in Las Vegas attending and promoting Storm during the Columbus Day Senior Tournament (formally known as the Senior TAT). As a Storm Brand Ambassador, I will be deeply connected with the industry," she said, of her new position. "I will contribute to blogs, craft social campaigns, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in bowling!"
It won't stop there though, and she is up to the challenge that her new position will bring.
"I would say one of the biggest duties I will have with Storm, is to help the game and sport of bowling. We want to reach everyone from the recreational bowler, to everyday league bowlers, and to the highest level of the PWBA and PBA," she says, of what is ahead for her. "We, as Ambassadors, are promoting the idea ALL bowling is good bowling. We want more people to bowl frequently, and enjoy the game or sport at whatever level makes sense to them."
Among some of the new bowling ball releases Shawna will be rolling for herself, and promoting for Storm are: The Intense, Sure Lock, Code Black, Code Red, Hy Road Nano, just to name a few.
"For me, bowling for Storm means I am bowling for the most powerful company in bowling. It is amazing to learn Bill and Barbara Chrisman's story! These two people have impacted our industry in so many ways," she says, of bowling for Storm. "They are doing amazing things such as creating scholarships for Youth Bowlers and promoting the return of the PWBA. They clearly love their Company and their Staff. They are open to new ideas and truly cherish change for the better."
Shawna was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. She attended Great Falls High School, and Montana State University (MSU)-Great Falls. She worked as a paralegal from 1999-2010, before turning more attention to bowling.
"Being on Storm's staff is bigger than just me. I feel its almost my calling to help grow this industry. I am so lucky to have found a perfect position for me," she says, of now being with Storm. It will also help her grow professionally. "I would have to say that getting my first staffing contract with another company was quite amazing! But, yes, for me, signing with Storm feels like a natural transition."
She says she didn't play any sports in high school. But, in her adult years, she took up running in 2004, and she has since ran in four full marathons. As well as dozens of 1/2 marathons. In 2008 she took it one step further and took up cycling. She raced her first El Tour de Tucson that year with a Platinum finish. In addition, she taught her husband, Howard, how to bowl and he taught her how to play tennis.
Shawna got her start in bowling at Murph's Bowling Center in Great Falls, owned by Richard Murphy. She grew up in a blue collar family, where she was taught the meaning of working hard, in order to get the things in life that she wanted. It was working hard on Saturday and Sunday mornings, that helped Shawna get her first bowling ball.
"OK Shawna, here is an empty coffee can. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, I want you to pick up all the cigarette butts in my parking lot. I will pay you $.01 a piece at the end of the summer for every butt you collect," said Shawna, of Rich's instructions on her first job. "Unbeknownst to anyone, I rode my bicycle over to Murph's every Saturday and Sunday and picked up cigarette butts.At the end of the summer, I showed up again at Rich's office with my bag of cigarette butts. Instead of counting the butts, Rich handed me a $100 dollar bill and a bowling ball. He also said he would teach me how to bowl."
"Rich was a huge influence on me and my bowling career. He always supported me in my bowling endeavors," she added.
Shawna has worked hard at her game though-out the years, the same way as she did when she was picking up the cigarette butts. It’s hard to believe, but the first year she bowled in sanctioned leagues during the 2000-01 season, she averaged 162 for 87 games in the Skyraiders League at Murph's. She cracked the 200 plateau for the first time during the 2005-06 season as she averaged 202 for 87 games in the Satellite League at Little's Lanes. Her highest average to date, has come in the Ed Faulk Classic League during the 2008-09 campaign where she averaged 210 for 69 games in that league.
Shawna has been able to rack up some honor scores through the last 16 years. Her first perfect game came on 1/31/07 at Lucky Strike Bowl in Tucson and finished with a 712 series. Her second 300 game came on 1/12/08 at Sleeping Giant Lanes in Great Falls. She also has had two eleven-in-a-row honors at Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson. In 2012, she finished second in singles, out of approximately 16,000 women, at the U.S. Women's Championships in Reno, Nevada. She rolled a 749 scratch series. Additionally, she has won or placed in the top five in several city and state tournaments in both Montana and Arizona.
When asked, she stated Arizona is loaded with talent. “Just in Tucson alone, we have Team USA Member Bryanna Cote!" "We have so many amazing bowlers in Arizona. I think on any given day there are 10 or 20 female bowlers who could give each other a run for their money. I wouldn't even attempt to rank myself."
Since joining Storm as an Ambassador, Storm has already reached out to our local community. For example, Storm donated bowling balls to Bowl for the Cure Arizona. Storm loves to support great causes!
Tucson Bowling News November 29, 2017