LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Andrew Potter, LHS Unified Bowling coach
To those who wonder what newer activities bring to Liberal High School students and our community: As the LHS boys/girls bowling coach and unified bowling coach, I would like to share some insight into what having bowling at LHS means to our school and community.
Each season, we have the privilege of providing 30-plus students the opportunity to be called student-athletes. As you may know, research consistently shows that participation in extracurricular activities helps students develop skills and opportunities that enhance their college and career prospects. Because of the opportunities bowling has created, we have been able to send numerous student-athletes on to compete at the collegiate level. Some are students who may not have pursued higher education without this pathway.
In addition, our unified bowling program has been a tremendous source of pride for our community. Over the past two years, our teams have brought home both a State runner-up trophy and a third place finish at the State competition. For context, unified bowling is a Kansas State High School Athletics Association sport that pairs students with special needs alongside their general education peers to form competitive teams. Without this program, our students with special needs would not have a sport-specific opportunity to represent LHS and the community we are so proud of.
We are also fortunate to have the support of Billy’s Ayr Lanes, which has never charged the school for the use of their facilities for practices or competitions. Beyond that, they organize a biker run event each year, in which they and the bikers donate all proceeds to directly support our LHS unified bowling program.
Though I am not the swim coach, I am an all-around Redskin athletics and activities supporter. I know that bowling and swimming, much like other newer activities, now offers numerous students opportunities that didn’t exist in the past — opportunities that allow them to grow, compete, and succeed both in school and beyond.
So, when asked why these newer activities matter and exist now, my answer is simple: They positively impact the future of students in our community — students who will one day become leaders in our society.
I would also like to personally invite anyone to attend one of our bowling competitions at Billy’s Ayr Lanes to see firsthand what this sport means to our student-athletes and their families. Our athletic schedule is available anytime, and it would be an honor to have as many as possible to join us.
