On average, James Elhers, assistant professor of art, gets a score of between 60 and 90.
But that doesn’t deter him from bowling. He uses the sport as a way to bond with his students outside of class.
“It’s a good camaraderie tool,” Elhers said. “And I’m a terrible bowler. It gives the students the opportunity to beat their professor at something. I like doing it. I’m just not good at it – 90 is a good night for me. I’ve broken 100 before, but I’m awful.”
Elhers tries to make group bowling outings a regular occurrence but in reality, he and the art students only go a few times per semester.
“It’s fun and (Elhers) wanted to bring students together and it’s actually fun to do,” said Thomas Fort, sophomore engraving major.
There have been as many as 50 students who come to the bowling outings. Other nights, there are only about 20.
Elhers even created shirts for the art bowling “league.”
“I love (them),” Fort said. “I’m going to go get one.”
Although it’s not an activity that is free to students, Elhers picks night in which the bowling alley offers specials to make it as cheap as possible for the students.
“We do it on Wednesday night and we start at ten,” Elhers said. “It ends up being about $5 per person so it ends up being a bit more manageable.”
Elhers said that the students in attendance are mainly engraving students and people they may bring along.
“Last time it was only the engravers that were there,” Elhers said. “But I’ll announce it to everyone.”
However, he offered the invitation to any student who wants to spend an evening with a bunch of art students.
“It hasn’t been exclusively art students,” Elhers said. “Some of them will bring their boyfriends and girlfriends. If anyone reads this and they want to go bowling with some art students they are more than willing to come with.”
As an incentive in the past, Elhers even offers awards to the student with the highest score and the student who heckles the most.
“I’m really big on heckling,” he said. “I used to give two prizes just to keep it interesting.”
At times, the games can become pretty competitive.
“There are a couple of engraving students in particular who kind of taunt each other,” he said. “I kind of instigate that a little bit. It’s all fun spirited.”
While Elhers is naturally competitive, some of the students are just there to have a good time.
“I’ve felt the need to be competitive,” Fort said. “It’s all in good fun. I’m pretty sure everyone would agree with me on that. Usually it’s just one or two people jabbing at each other.”
Elhers said that he thinks students enjoy seeing him doing terrible at something.
Loading ...
