INTERNATIONAL BOWLING MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME ROLLS OUT 2011 LINE-UP OF NOMINEES FOR THE CELEBRITY BOWLING HALL OF FAME

From Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga to Jeff Bridges, Kim Kardashian and Michael Jordan, Star-Studded Celebrity Roster of Candidates Unveiled; Fans Worldwide Are Invited to Cast Their Votes at www.GoBowling.com

ARLINGTON, Texas, July 12, 2011 – Bowling fans across the world will once again have an opportunity to grant bowling immortality to a chosen celebrity nominee. The Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) and International Bowling Hall of Fame today announced its list of candidates for consideration into its Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame wing. The roster of candidates includes celebrities who have helped support and popularize bowling, contributing to its status as the nation’s number one participatory sport. The bowling industry is once again placing the power in the hands of the public, inviting fans to visit www.gobowling.com to cast their vote - and receive a coupon for a free game of bowling that can be used at one of more than 4,000 participating bowling centers across the United States.

The 2011 list of candidates includes celebrities from a wide cross section of pop culture including superstar entertainers Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne and Nick and Joe Jonas, legendary actors Jeff Bridges and Bill Murray, TV personalities Kim Kardashian and Jimmy Fallon and sports icon Michael Jordan. Following in the footsteps of 2010 inductee Taylor Swift – who edged out Justin Bieber in a competition that went down to the wire – one celebrity will forever become a part of bowling history with the online vote to take place between July 12 and August 6.

“This star-studded line-up of celebrities speaks to the tremendous relevance and popularity of bowling and showcases the widespread appeal of bowling – as diverse as this group of celebrities is, one thing that they all share in common is public support for the greatest game in the world,” said Steve Johnson, executive director of the BPAA. “We are excited to once again empower the 69 million bowlers throughout the country to have an opportunity to help us create history by making one of these celebrities a part of bowling history.”

Beginning on July 12, fans and enthusiasts can cast their vote online at www.gobowling.com. The voting process will occur throughout the month of July and will culminate during National Bowling Week (July 31 to August 6). The final votes will be tallied on National Bowling Day, August 6 - a day where more than 4,000 centers across the United States will join forces to try to set a new world record for the most bowling games played in a 24-hour period.

To help create a call to action to drive fans to cast votes for their favorite stars, more than 4,000 bowling centers across the United States are working together to provide a free game of bowling to everyone who casts a vote in this year’s nomination vote. By voting for their favorite celebrity at www.gobowling.com, consumers can download a coupon for a free game of bowling on National Bowling Day, August 6.

Added Johnson, “The tremendous level of support that we have received – more than 4,000 bowling centers across the country opening their doors to fans who cast their HOF vote – speaks to the welcoming environment that can be found in bowling centers and the tremendous solidarity within our industry.”

“Each of these 2011 candidates has had a significant impact in helping to keep bowling as one of the nation’s most treasured pastimes,” said Keith Hamilton, chairman of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. “If last year’s down-to-the-wire showdown between Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber is any indication of what to expect for 2011, we’ll be ready for a fierce battle to determine who is the next star to achieve bowling immortality.”

Below is the complete list of the celebrity nominees:

Justin Bieber
Jeff Bridges
Miley Cyrus
Jimmy Fallon
Lady Gaga
Nick and Joe Jonas
Michael Jordan
Kim Kardashian
Bill Murray
Lil Wayne

For more information on the Hall of Fame induction process or to cast a vote for today, visit www.gobowling.com.

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