Hillsdale College Club Bowling is officially ready to roll, with plans for three events this semester where students can bowl for free while learning how to improve their technique.

The Student Federation approved the club’s budget on Feb. 15. Junior Kirsten Lopez, the club’s president, said they plan to hold a tournament at the end of the semester. 

The club partnered with Campus Rec for a bowling tournament earlier this month.

“It was pretty much all financed by Campus Rec and their budget, but we were able to get publicity with that on the shared Instagram post, and we had about 30 competitors show up,” Lopez said.

Junior Kaeleigh Otting, the club’s vice president, said the turnout showed there is interest in the club on campus. 

She said they ultimately hope to do a monthly bowling event open to all of campus as well as club-specific events for students who may be interested in forming a league. 

“We want them to be able to learn how to bowl, get better at bowling, and also be able to compete,” Otting said.

Senior Lauren Gergens, the club’s secretary and a certified level 1 United States Bowling Congress coach, said she will be there to help students who would like to improve their technique.  

“Most people don’t want to bowl because they think they’re bad,” Gergens said. “But if you have that element of, ‘Hey, there’s someone here who’s willing to teach you, so that you can actually get better,’ I think that’ll really draw people in.’”

Gergens said she hopes the club, which will hold events at Hillside Lanes, will help build relationships among Hillsdale students, faculty, staff, and members of the community. 

“It’s a very social sport, so it allows for people to talk on and off the lanes and really get to know each other and sort of have some level of competition. But the emphasis isn’t necessarily on winning but having fun, having a good time, and allowing an opportunity outside of classes to hang out with friends,” Gergens said. 

Otting said students interested in joining the club can message them on Instagram at hdalecollege_clubbowling.