Southern Bowling Writers Association

A.     Awards Criteria

1. Dick Weber Distinguished Service Award

Named for bowling legend Dick Weber, who was a champion and ambassador for 50+ years, this award will be given to a person in the industry who performs some outstanding service or achievement during the year that advances the progress of the game.

2. Presidents Award

At the discretion of the SBWA President, the award goes to someone in bowling who displays optimism and enthusiasm for the game, and maintains a positive and pleasant attitude about the sport and its participants.

3. Collegiate Bowlers of the Year

These two awards go to the male and female college students in the 17 southern states who achieve an outstanding record in the sport, and good character on and off the lanes.  Letters will be sent in October to coaches asking for nominees.  The SBWA Collegiate/High School Committee will make final selections.

4. High School Bowlers of the Year

These two awards go to the male and female high school students in the 18 southern states who achieve an outstanding record in the sport, and good character on and off the lanes.  Letters will be sent in October to coaches asking for nominees.  The SBWA Collegiate/High School Committee will make final selections.

5. The Walt Steinsiek Cartoonist of the Year Award

With the agreement of founder Walt Steinsiek who is a SBWA past president and life member, SBWA has officially adopted the former BWAA Cartoonist Award and renamed it the Walt Steinsiek Award in honor of its founder.  This award goes to a talented cartoonist who uses a bowling theme in his/her work each year.  The award is currently sponsored by Pinacle Events, and Steinsiek serves as chairman of the selection committee.

6. SBWA Southern Roast – Laughter and good humor is essential to a happy life and a successful organization, and each year, the SBWA will conduct a Southern Roast to honor a successful person in bowling who has brought joy and laughter to many in the spirit of friendship that is a southern and bowling tradition.

B.     SBWA Awards Procedures

1. Dick Weber Award – the awards committee will solicit a slate of candidates for this award and that slate will be submitted to the entire SBWA membership for vote using the 1-2-3 voting system: 1 means first choice and equals 3 points, 2 indicates second choice and equals 2 points, and 3 is third choice for 1 point.
2. Presidents Awards – this is the ‘ATTITUDE’ Award. The SBWA President will pick someone in the bowling industry for this award annually.
3. Collegiate and High School Bowlers of the Year – A male and female winner in each category will be chosen annually from candidates submitted by coaches or school officials (not family).  The award committee will study the credentials of each candidate and make the selection.
4. Steinsiek Award – A list of qualified cartoonists and a sample of their work will be submitted to the committee, and the committee will make the selection annually.
5. SBWA Southern Roast – the committee will select the honoree and schedule an appropriate time and place for The Roast.  A small plaque commemorating the event will be given to the honoree.  The committee will select the ‘roasters’ and provide background material to them for their portion of the event.