Come Bowl with the Thunders

The Rolling Thunders took a trip to Oakwood Lanes in Washington, NJ, for a night full of fun! The van was packed with bowlers ready to roll! The night was filled with jokes and laughter and just having fun! 

There were two teams bowling against each other. First team up was Lexi Schumacher; Tanner Sullivan, junior communication major; Joey Suriel; and Michael Young from Residence Life. Second team was Tanner Sullivan; Troy Sumpter, senior creative writing major; Charles King; Erick Young, sophomore communication major; Lauren Mumford, individualized studies major; and Nick Storms, sophomore communication major and president of The Rolling Thunders. 

Storms shared why he started the bowling team and how he came up with the name. 

“What made me want to start is that I have bowled since I was a little kid. I honestly love doing it,” said Storms. “My dad taught me, my grandfather taught me, and my mom taught me and honestly, it made me think of it as like what are some organizations and sports here that Centenary does not offer? And what came to my mind is a club where I feel like everyone could coalesce, and have fun, because that is what I want to see.” 

“I want to see smiles, I want to see people socializing, and most importantly, I want to see people develop not just as bowlers but also as human beings. I want to see them develop individually and to see them become a positive person that they are deep down. What made me want to start this club was my passion for bowling, and the fun of it. I spotted some people who really enjoy bowling. They said I wish there was a bowling club; I like going bowling. Let’s start bowling. Then, when I heard that, I said, ‘Okay, why don’t we start a bowling club called the Rolling Thunders?’”

“What made me come up with the name is you know how when you bowl it makes noise? Like when it hits the ground you hear the noise because you're rolling the ball, and it's loud like thunder. Honestly, that is what came to my mind and what made me come up with The Rolling Thunders.”

Attendees and club members shared their thoughts on the newly established bowling club.

“I think it’s awesome and everyone should join and have fun because everyone’s very supportive of each other. No matter what happens. If you miss or you get a strike, everyone’s really supportive,” said Schumacher.

“I think that the Rolling Thunders is great,” said Sullivan. “It gives students a good opportunity to get off campus and bond with others in a way that most people might not think of in the first place because Rolling Thunders was just established this year. It made a lot of great experiences for the students and it was a lot of fun too.”

“Of course, I had fun now when it got competitive, I will always compete with [Storms] and [Young],” said Sumpter. “However, it is very fun and I enjoyed my time being there and I am glad that this Bowling Club is happening.”

“I know at first, it’s going to start as a club, but the more and more people show up hopefully it can develop into more. It could become  more of a sport, as a team in its own bowling league.”

“So, The Rolling Thunders community is growing, and I think the more important part of it is the community going and driving with everyone, and everyone kind of being with each other and enjoying their time,” said Erick Young. “It might grow to a point where it becomes more competitive, but overall, I do like the fact that I get to go with the students and enjoy our time there at the bowling alleys.”

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the students. You know when we think of sports, you know we think of basketball, baseball, soccer but bowling is just as competitive,” said Michael Young, assistant director of Residence Life. “I think it is something new for the students, something you know that I think they’ll really enjoy.”

The night was a load of laughs and just everyone having fun.  Teammates on the Rolling Thunders cheered every time someone got a strike, or a spare, and you could really feel the love. You could be the worst bowler in the world, but no matter what, you still go out there and have fun.  

Anyone who loves to bowl should definitely come out and join the team!