Mark Wojtusiak, Happy Things Rolling Along
Annual MMA Youth Tournament Is January 23 And 24 At Brunswick Zone Mesa
By Michael 'Chip' Begg Managing Editor The TenPinExpress.Com
Director Mesa Metro Association
Mesa - - - As the Youth Director of the Mesa Metropolitan Association (MMA), Mark Wojtusiak has three yearly goals for the kids within the program. They are: (1). Show team spirit, while being an individual. (2). Show an appreciation for the equipment they use, and the differences amongst different brands. (3). And as an individual they can learn at their own pace, and not 'be benched' because they might not be as good as the next bowler.
Any awards they earn during the course of a league season, will be a bonus for them as a result of the hard work each youth bowler put in, in achieving the above goals.
The East Valley will have a chance to watch the area's junior bowlers display their talent and knowledge on the lanes, on January 23 and 24. That's when the MMA's Youth Tournament will be held at Brunswick Zone Mesa. Last year's tournament washeld at Flipside.
"I became a Youth Director with the MMA in April of 2011, and I volunteered for the position, because at the time, the association was lacking in Youth Directors, and I wanted to be able to contribute my knowledge and assistance to the Youth Bowlers and the MMA as a whole," said MMA Youth Director Mark Wojtusiak, on becoming involved. "Nothing actually told me inside that this is what I neede to do or accomplish.
It was just my observation of the fact that the Youth are the future of this sport," he added. "I felt that if I could impart some of my knowledge, skill and teachings, well then, it was what needed to be done and I don't regret a moment of that decision."
When he became the Youth Director five years ago, the MMA had approximately 250 youth bowlers. The number has fluctuated through out the years due to other participation sports that are available to the youth. He never has dwelled on the numbers, but instead to actually continue to keep as much interest in the sport and the kids as he can.
"It was a battle in the beginning because a lot of the 'old time' bowlers did not see a demand for the continuing of the sport through the youth program," he said, of his early struggles as the Youth Director. "However, with determination, hard-work and a lot of help from numerous Board Members, as well as non-Board Members. I was able to (and continue to do so) convince bowlers and Board Members of the importance of the Youth and their role within our organization."
The main goal for Mr. Wojtusiak, early on when he became the Youth Director, was to ensure that each and every Youth Bowler had a voice at the Annual MMA meeting.
"My long term goals are to impart upon, as well as impress upon, every Youth League. That every Youth Bowler under the age of 14 can, and should, be represented at every MMA Annual Meeting by an adult certified bowler (Mom, Dad, Uncle, etc)," he said on making sure they have a voice. "These representatives would be elected by the respective Youth Leagues to speak/vote on behalf of the betterment of those Youth Bowlers."
He would like to see bowling grow as a sport through out Arizona High Schools. But, he has two factors working against him here as well.
"I think that making bowling a sport in AZ would be a great idea, but convincing the AIAA of this is going to take a lot of doing by more than just one association," he said, of getting bowling into more high schools. "There is much to consider when making a sport 'High School Eligible' and logistics of said endeavor are beyond the capabilities of one individual, let alone one association.
"Making youth athletes declare a specific sport is something that many families have dealt with over the years, and since bowling is essentially a year long (36 week) sport, most athletes will not committ," he added. "I do think that eventually it might happen, but, with the desert weather that we experience. It is easier to get our youth into outdoor sports than to convince them that they need to spend a few hours a week indoors competitng in something that they might not ever get them noticed."
Helping out Mark in the MMA are Youth Directors: Carol Mikolajczyk, and Bob Schreiber. He is particularly proud of four junior bowlers that he has personally coached who shined while coming up through a Youth program. They are: Jordon Stern (Yuma), who is currently bowling with the Wichita State Women's Bowling Program. Zach Appel, Jesse Becker, and Matthew Wachter (all of Chandler) who have competed on the JBT tour, and won various JBT events.
"It brings the association to the forefront," he said, on when kids within the MMA accomplish something. "In that 'our' youth bowlers representing us and our future within the sport. While sending out subtle reminders to the adult bowlers that these youth are our future and the support we give them now, will be carried forward by them (hopefully) to their children and other future youth bowlers."
Mesa Bowling News - January 12, 2016