Michelle Mullen

My Grandpa started taking me to the bowling alley on Sundays when I was 5 years old. It was a long Sunday if I didn't knock the pins down; but usually, I did. My bowling career is a weird one. I did not bowl in a league until High School, when Rich Central started a team. A year later, we were State Champions! Coach David Seidler always said, give me an athlete, I'll make them a bowler. Good thing for me, because I was an athlete, and bowling is the last sport I tried. Like my friends, I applied for college and, with the grades, got accepted to U of Illinois. I took my bowling balls with me because I loved to bowl. One day I was practicing and someone came down to ask me if I was gonna try out for the Team. "What team?" I asked. Three years later, we were 3rd in the Nation! And I had won the Women's National Collegiate Championship which meant that I would represent the U.S. in the World Cup to be held in Seoul, Korea. A big gig for a girl like me. Continuing to follow my passion, I studied Biomechanics and Sports Psychology. From there, I was introduced to world renowned professional bowling coach, Tom Kouros, author of 1,000,000 copy best-seller: PAR BOWLING. I went out on tour and was fortunate to win! I knew how to bowl, but I had to gain a lot more knowledge of the game to continue to compete and win, and learn how to coach. They say that: "Your weakness can become your strength." And so it is. Going on to become a U.S. Team Coach and USBC Gold Coach, I am privileged to share almost 30 years of coaching to bowlers of all skill and age levels, from 7 to 96 years old! I can honestly say that I love to coach more than I love to bowl. My bowling career is a charmed one. And it is my privilege to share my passion for writing, bowling and coaching in this handbook called BOWLING FUNDAMENTALS - Second Edition. I have passionately and meticulously written what I have learned over the past 30 years to make it understandable and helpful to you. All I know is that if you want to bowl better, I cannot wait to help you!