|
Tracking the Bowling News: Michael, thanks for taking the time to be with us
LUCAS: Thank you for having me
TTBN: Describe your tenures as President of the Palomar Bowling Assn and North County USBC and the main challenges posed by both terms
LUCAS: When I was the president of the Palomar Bowling Association in the 80's, my main goal was to continue the service to the local bowlers that they had come to expect. Our biggest challenge was combining the aver books into one with the women's association and the Youth association; and staying on top of the joint Lane Certification program.
As for Presiding over the NCUSBC, it was all new and the challenge was to form an organization that encompassed all three prior associations and guide it so that everyone could work together for the best of bowling, Operations of our tournaments was the most challenging making changes in formats and philosophy was paramount in making it work. Being politically correct was a challenge. It was very rewarding to see the tournaments blossom into events that people would be happy to participate in.
TTBN: Tell us about some of your personal achievements on and off the lanes.
LUCAS: At the current time I have bowled 8 - 300 games with a 799 series still waiting on that ever elusive 800 ???? Some Day! I have won the Masters (local) and have bowled on numerous teams that have won the scratch leagues. I am much honored to be in the local Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service and plan to continue to serve with the local association now that my term is up.
I am also a State Director for California and chair the State Hall of Fame and Convention Committees. I enjoy giving back to bowling.
TTBN: Let me have a synopsis of your accomplishments during the terms of your Presidencies and what the Associations achieved (both Palomar and NCUSBC) during both tenures.
LUCAS: During my terms with the Palomar Bowling Association I was very proud to help form the local Hall of Fame and the Joint Lane Certification Committees.
As the president of the NCUSBC creating a good dialogue between the men, women and youth was paramount and I feel that was created. Also, making the necessary changes to the local tournaments to include the youth bowlers and making the different divisions work was also a challenge.
TTBN: Your thoughts on the positives and negatives since the merger took place.
LUCAS: The positives in regards to the merger are that the local association can work as one to help ALL of the bowlers. We can get new ideas and try things that might not have worked when there where three separate associations. It is refreshing to see the youth get involved in the future of our sport, learning and growing along with it.
The only negative I see is sometimes there is a lack of open mindedness when something new is suggested. The board must keep an open mind and work for a common goal. The voices of many can silence the few, but by working together much can be accomplished.
TTBN: Give us your thoughts about Mike DeVaney marrying your daughter and the effect it had on the family. Having a pro bowler in the family must have been exciting for you and Vicie
LUCAS: The family is happy to see Mike DeVaney join us. He and my daughter Carrie dated for about 10 years before they married in 2006. They bowled together in the youth leagues and have now started a family of their own. In fact, Owen Michael DeVaney will be having a brother or sister in March of 2010. Mike has always been a gentleman to my family and my daughter and has been a pretty good bowler too!
TTBN: Your thoughts about the right and left hand issues of the game and how much heat you took in the past from your right handed bowling friends for being a lefty
LUCAS: I think that the never ending dialogue in regards to the lefty-righty issue will always be there. There are times where we lefties have a slight advantage especially when it comes down to the lane conditions starting to change. But for the same token, sometimes the righties have a great shot from the start but the lefties have to create a shot which sometimes takes games for us to catch up. Most of the bowlers I bowl with are aware of this and just accept it- every dog has his day!
TTBN: What are your favorite pastimes when not bowling or involved in Association activities?
LUCAS: I enjoy being with my girls, Sandra Marie Lucas, Carrie Anne DeVaney and Angela Lynn Meyers (all bowlers at one time or another) and my grandchildren Christopher Michael Lucas, Avery Joy Meyers, Owen Michael DeVaney and Madison Riley Meyers. Being "Papa" means everything to me. My wife Vicie and I enjoy going to the numerous casinos in the area. We live in a beautiful retirement area and it is enjoyable just staying home and taking in nature.
TTBN: Now that Tyson Sylvester has taken over NCUSBC president as of 1 August, what are your thoughts about Tyson's future in that position?
LUCAS: I feel that Tyson will be a positive force for the continued growth of the NCUSBC. He will learn how to deal with all the issues facing a new organization and I think he is up to the challenges. He has a passion to do it right and a military influence that drives him to succeed. He just needs to listen and make the best decision for all bowlers. If he does the association will go forward.
TTBN: As an accomplished and ever improving bowler, what are your future plans when it comes to tournament or league bowling? Do you plan to bowl the PBA Senior Events at some future point?
LUCAS: I plan on continuing to bowl in scratch leagues as long as I can compete and bowl in the summer with my grandson Chris in the adult youth league. I would also like to try an occasional SST and senior tournaments that are close to home. If a PBA senior event comes close I might give it a shot-who knows!
TTBN: Is there any chance that we will see you wife Vicie as a future NCUSBC president? After all she has been involved with the Association for such a long time
LUCAS: Although Vicie has been involved for many years on numerous boards she will not be pursuing a position with the local association, she has a physical problem that doesn't allow her to bowl anymore, so she has lost the desire to serve. She channeled her desire thru me to get me through my terms. She has been very supportive to me and says she will continue to do so during my California State service and any other bowling endeavors.
TTBN: Thank you Michael for taking the time to share your thoughts with us and for all your hard work and devotion to the bowlers of North San Diego County
LUCAS: Thanks for the kind words. It was a real pleasure to do the interview
MICHAEL LUCAS FACT SHEET
***************************************
· I have been bowling since 1969. I began bowling in the College programs for Palomar College.
· I have held all league board positions.
· I am a certified youth instructor.
· I was a director of the Palomar Bowling Association beginning in 1974.
· I have been the chairperson for all association committees.
· I have held all line officer positions on the Palomar Bowling Association with my Presidency running from 1982 – 1986.
· In 1983 I helped to establish the Lane Certification program for North County, serving as the coordinator for several years. I am a certified lane inspector.
· I helped to establish the Palomar Bowling Association Hall of Fame.
· I have attended numerous Conventions representing Palomar Bowling Association.
· In 1982 I attended the ABC Leadership School for Jurisdictional Associates in Milwaukee Wisconsin and became the Jurisdictional Associate for Southern California until the USBC came into effect Nationally.
· I represent the Palomar Association with the Bowling
Council and the Bowling Alliance.
· I continue to support the Palomar Bowling Association as an active Past President.
I am currently on the State USBC board as a director and serve on the Awards and Hall Of Fame committees.
I was the Bowler of the Year for the Palomar Bowling Association in 1983-84 and shared the title in 1981-82.
I was inducted to the Palomar Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1994 for Meritorious Service.
I was the Palomar Masters champion in 1989.
I have achieved 8 300 games, with a high series of 799.
I have been awarded the California State Association participation awards for 25 years and 30 years.
I am currently a 200+ average bowler and support local, state and national tournaments.
|
