On October 9, 2015, I, along with the Morehead State University Bowling Club, got the privilege of meeting Kelly Kulick, as well as getting to hear her talk about her bowling career. For those who don’t know who she is, she is a world-renown bowler, who not only broke records and made history as the first female bowler to win a Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour in 2010, but she also graduated from Morehead State University in 2000.
Usually, in any sport, you’ll meet your nice people, and you’ll meet your jerks. That happens, especially with being a famous athlete. However, Kelly is more than just nice.
She’s humble.
She talked so well of other athletes within her profession, and she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and give some great advice to the 30 of us who were in the room. She paused for two minutes in the middle of her initial speaking to introduce herself to one of our coach’s wife and daughter, and it was the sweetest thing I’d ever seen. She sat on desks, crossed her legs on them, and spoke with such honesty and with such humility that when she asked if we had any questions, I just couldn’t.
I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t formulate a coherent thought, I couldn’t say anything. I mean, I wanted to say so much to her, there’s no denying it! In that moment though, I couldn’t. All I could do was sit there and listen to her talk. I was in awe of her. If you were to ask me who my role model is, it would definitely have to be Kelly: she’s a famous bowler, she has won so many titles, and, if she were to ever stop bowling, she’d be a teacher. I think that is the most wonderful thing.
She gave us some advice before she left us that day. When asked about how to get through college, she told us this: Go to class.
I knew that I needed to go to class, and I knew that it was all very important, but when I heard her say it, it just became that more important for me.
Kelly Kulick is a lovely, lovely lady. Some may even call her badass. Overall, she is such an inspiration for those who bowl, especially those who are women. Without her, the Professional Women Bowlers Association would not exist today. There wouldn't be a standard for women to come back into bowling, and to make it as big as boys' bowling.
So Kelly, if you ever read this: Thank you.
Sincerely,
Every woman bowler
