MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University bowling team takes its game on national television this month on Rockin' Bowl, The Nashville Network's (TNN) new weekly collegiate bowling series.

The Cardinals are one of 16 collegiate teams participating in the weekly television bowling series. First and second round tapings were Dec. 18-19 at the All-American SportsPark. The show premieres on TNN at 8 p.m. on Jan. 11.

Ball State takes on San Jose State at 8 p.m. Jan. 18. On Muncie's Adelphia cable system, TNN can be seen on channel 21.

"This is the first time we've been on television and it's been a great experience," said Doug Gibson, Ball State's coach for 13 years. "The event was created for television so it's completely different than a typical pro bowling contest. Instead of being very quiet, you have constant noise and there's even a band playing.

"So far we are only 10 pins out of eighth place and doing very well," he said.

Rockin' Bowl is a fast-paced version of a classic American pastime. The tournament features collegiate co-ed bowling teams competing in traditional and non-traditional events, including black lighting, bowling backwards and answering bowling trivia questions.

The pins are set to a rock beat by the Rockin' Bowl house band. Each week, two five-member bowling teams will compete with the winner moving up the rankings to the finals.

The host is Gary Seibel, who has served as play-by-play broadcaster for the Pro Bowlers tour on CBS Sports for the last two years.

Participants will be competing for scholarship money and other prizes.

"Since we are a club sport, we don't have the finances that are given to intercollegiate programs," Gibson said. "This is a tremendous opportunity to help us promote our club, the sport of bowling and Ball State University."

Teams participating in the event include Erie Community College, St. John's, Fresno State, Cal State Fullerton, Florida State, San Jose State, Morehead State, West Texas A&M, Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana State, Western Illinois, Wichita State, Kansas and Illinois.

At Ball State, bowling is a club sport and participation is a major program area within recreational sports. It involves groups that organize because of a common interest in a sport. Self-administration and self-regulation are characteristics common to all clubs, whether they revolve around badminton, parachuting or rugby. Those who desire club sport membership seek regular participation under a more coherent design than what is offered by informal or intramural activities.

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Gibson by phone at (317) 243-4517. )