Pictured Above Is: Gayle Powers, Second From Right (Back Row), With The MMA Board Of Directors.
She Was Inducted Into The MMA Hall Of Fame For Service on May 21, At Mesa East Bowl.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Associations
Mesa - - - Have you ever wondered how the Mesa Metropolitan Association, MMA, was able to raise $11,000 and $15,000 the last two years for the BVL fund?
Well, the answer to the above question is an easy one.
Gayle Powers, Bob Dault, and the generosity of the bowlers who are members of the MMA.
It was 1979 when Gayle ventured into a bowling center for the first time in Oklahoma with friends. At the time it seemed like a fun thing for her to give it a try. Needless to say, the bowling bug bit her after this venture, and 38 years later, she finds herself as a newly inducted member of the MMA HOF.
"I never thought I would come this far," she said, after being installed in the MMA HOF for service, during its annual meeting at Mesa East on May 21. "Being on a board and elected into a HOF... Its an honor. I probably asked MMA Association Manager Leslie Marsh for about a week or two, 'did this really happen'?
It did Gayle.
Prior to its merger with the USBC in 2005, she was: a Director on the Mesa Valley Women's BA for 12 years from 1993-2005. Chairperson for the YABA from 1994-1996, and Team USA from 1996-1998 BVL Chairperson from 2009-2016 and on the Champion of Champions Committee from 1995-2004.
"I relocated to Mesa in 1981, and it wasn't as big as it is now," she remembers. "Dirt roads was the norm beyond Gilbert Road, and that area of town was not as built up as it is now either."
Also prior to the merger with the USBC in 2005, the MVWBA had shared office space with the Mesa Men's Association. With two associations in one office space it was also easier to organize events, and get things done in a timely manner. Up until two years ago, the old office used to be located on University Blvd. It has since relocated to Southern Avenue.
"I thought it was great," she said, of the shared space. "The men's and women's associations got a long fine with each other. We joined forces and co-chaired tourneys together. A lot of things have changed since then."
But, one thing has remained the same. The BVL has been the BVL since September 26, 1942. This year it will be celebrating its 75th anniversary.
"This year is the 75th anniversary of the BVL. It was organized on September 26, 1942. Our Veterans fought hard for our freedom, and the least we can do is help them by contributing to the 50/50," she said. All of the male members in her immediate family also served in our armed forces. "I love seeing how many Veterans bowl in our leagues. I also wanted to let everyone know that the MMA received an award this year at the USBC convention. We came in 5th place in the nation for local associations (large) for donating $11,000."
The BVL fund raising drive usually gets underway around November 1. That's when you will see members of the MMA board at the East Valley centers out collecting donations for the cause. They are not hard to miss. They carry a roll of tickets, a bucket, and wear their red association shirts.
"I would like to say the Mesa Metro bowlers are the very best, and that quite a lot of them have donated money back to us from their winnings in the 50/50," she said, of our bowlers. "I would like to thank all of the people on the Board who went and did the 50/50 on all the leagues. Also, a very big 'thank you' to Bob Dault for all of his hard work. Bob goes all out for the Veterans and does the leagues that people on the Board can't get to. He also went to all the unsanctioned leagues, and did the 50/50. He is the big reason that we were able to collect as much as we did."
The money that is donated to the Phoenix VA, goes to the recreation/therapy department. As that is the only department the government doesn't subsidize. The MMA asked that the donated funds go to their bowling program, and also to its mental health program. The Vets also bowl on one Wednesday each month. Either at Brunswick Desert Sky, or at Brunswick Mesa.
When Gayle relocated to Mesa in 1981, all of the current bowling centers were here. Apache Lanes, Country Club Bowl, and Tempe Bowl, are three centers that have since closed. While Flipside, Fat Cats, and Main Event in Tempe and Gilbert, have since come on line in the last 10 years.
"One center that has closed was Apache Lanes at Main and Horne in Mesa," she said, of one center that is not here anymore. "I have lost a lot of bowling friends in the last few years. There are so many that I can't name them all. I am sure if they were here, and able, they would still be bowling."
Her highest series is a 583, and her highest average was a 175. She has also been a league secretary for the Short&Sweet League at AMF Mesa from 2001- present. And, was the secretary for the Tempe Tenpins League for seven years at Brunswick Mesa.
"I bowled a 300 in a no-tap tournament once in the early 2000s at Brunswick Mesa," she said, of her accomplishments. "I never bowled a 700 series or a 300 game. At my age, that would be pretty exciting."
Never say never, Gayle!
Mesa Bowling News - June 20, 2017