quote: Tom Clark Named PBA Vice President and COOSEATTLE - 3/28/2008 The PBA announced today Tom Clark, formerly the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), has accepted the position of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the PBA. Clark, who joined the USBC staff in 2005, will begin his new position with the PBA on May 15, following the USBC National Convention. He will primarily oversee television production, marketing and public relations for the Denny’s PBA Tour. The PBA Tour, which is featured on ESPN 21 weeks per year in addition to special events, will celebrate its 50th Anniversary next season."I am thrilled to have Tom join the PBA," PBA Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer said. "During his tenure with USBC, Tom has demonstrated a flair for generating excitement and attention for our sport and its stars and I believe that will immediately translate into a major benefit for our fans, players and sponsors."Clark, a former sports editor at USA Today - America's highest circulated newspaper – was recently given the Billiard and Bowling Institute's Industry Service Award for his efforts to promote bowling as a sport. He was also named the Bowlers Journal Person of the Year in 2005 for similar efforts."This is a chance of a lifetime for me as a fan of professional bowling," Clark said. "The PBA Tour provides the greatest opportunity bowling has to penetrate mainstream America and internationally. As the public gets to know our players as the extraordinarily talented, competitive personalities they are, they'll better connect with and understand our great sport."Kevin Dornberger, the USBC's Chief Operating Officer, says the move can benefit all of bowling. "While the USBC will miss the creativity and innovation Tom brought, I am pleased that he will continue to implement those skills for the benefit of the industry," Dornberger said. "This may provide the opportunity for new partnership ventures between the USBC and the PBA." Current joint initiatives and events shared between the PBA and USBC include PBA Experience leagues, the PBA Women's Series presented by the USBC, the USBC Masters, Team USA – which now features PBA Tour stars – and ESPN's PBA All-Star Shootout summer series.The Denny’s PBA Tour concludes its season this week with the 65th Denny's U.S. Open live on ESPN Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. "The prominent platform the PBA enjoys through its television and sponsorship relationships will allow Tom to expand upon many of the initiatives he has launched while at the USBC," Schreyer said. "Heading into our 50th anniversary celebration, this is a major step in assuring we make a major impact not only on the sport of bowling but on the American sports landscape as well."Clark, 38, is a native of Syracuse, N.Y., and resides in Muskego, Wis.
