Denver Bowling Senate
T.N.B.A. Affiliate
Denver Bowling Senate is a place where bowlers come to get the latest news and event information. Join us today and become part of our amazing community.




The January 2025 issue of TNBA’s Bowler Magazine. See highlights of the King & Queen.



See Club page for PDF form
A Bit About Us
The Denver Bowling Senate
HISTORY
THEY WERE EXCITED, FOCUSED AND DETERMINED TO MAKE THIS DREAM A REALITY. A GROUP OF 20 BOWLERS MET IN AUGUST 1972 WITH THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF FORMING THE DENVER BOWLING SENATE.
INTEREST WAS SPARKED AFTER ATTENDING A TOURNAMENT AND CONVENTION IN 1972 HELD IN CHICAGO OF THE NATIONAL BOWLING ASSOCIATION, AN ORGANIZATION FORMED TO PROMOTE THE SPORT OF BOWLING FOR AFRICIAN AMERCANS IN THE UNITED STATES. IT WAS THEN THAT THE MESSAGE BECAME CLEAR, THEY WANTED TO BECOME A PART OF TNBA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF UNITING ALL BOWLERS AND FRIENDS OF BOWLING INTO A CENTRAL ORGANIZATION IN THE METROPOLITIAN DENVER AREA.
THEIR EFFORTS, SPEAR-HEADED BY SHIRLEY SHOCKLEY, BECAME A REALITY ON OCTOBER 19, 1972, WHEN IT WAS COMMUNICATED THAT THEIR APPLICATION TO BECOME THE DENVER BOWLING SENATE (DBS), AN AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL BOWLING ASSOCIATION, INC (TNBA) HAD BEEN APPROVED.
THE NATIONAL BOWLING ASSOCIATION, INC IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED IN AUGUST 1939 IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING NEGROES AND NON-CAUSIANS TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS IN THE GAME OF TEN PINS. IT WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL NEGRO BOWLING ASSOCIATION BECAUSE AT THE TIME OF ITS BIRTH, NEGROES AND OTHER NON-CAUSIANS WERE NOT PERMITTED TO BELONG TO ABC AND WIBC (NOW KNOWN AS USBC) BECAUSE OF CERTAIN RESTRICTIVE CLAUSES IN THEIR CONSTITUTION. IN 1944 IT WAS RENAMED THE NATIONAL BOWLING ASSICIATION, INC. LATER IT PARTICIPATED ACTIVELY IN THE FIGHT FOR “EQUALITY IN BOWLING”, AND IN 1950 BOTH ABC AND WIBC REMOVED THE NON-CAUCASIAN CLAUSE FROM THEIR CONSTITUTION. STARTING IN 1951. TNBA MEMBERS HAVE ENJOYED THE PRIVILAGE OF COMPETING IN ALL OPEN SANCTIONED TOURNAMENTS.
TNBA HAS NO RACIAL RESTRICTIONS WHATSOEVER AS TO MEMBERSHIP. TNBA’S THEME IS TO “PROMOTE SPORTSMANSHIP, FELLOWSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP.
THE DENVER BOWLING SENATE WANTED TO FURTHER THE GOALS OF TNBA WHICH IGNITED THE ENTHUSIASM OF OUR FOUNDERS. THEN THAT GROUP OF 20 BOWLERS WORKED RELENTLESSLY AND NOW WE ARE A SENATE WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF 300+ STRONG.
WE OFFER AN EXCELLENT JUNIOR BOWLING PROGRAM WHERE PARTICIPATING YOUTH LEARN THE SKILL OF BOWLING AND COMPETITION, AND WIN SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR THEIR EFFORT. WE PROVIDE TOURNAMENTS FOR ADULTS TO TEST THEIR SKILL IN COMPETITIVE PLAY. WE ALSO OFFER A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO GRADUATING SENIORS. IN ADDITION TO ADMINISTERING AN AWARDS PROGRAM FOR OUTSTANDING BOWLING ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL BOWLERS.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO PUSHED US THIS FAR.
Making It Happen


Shawn Lee
President
Shawn Lee has been at the heart and soul of our Bowling Senate since he took over the job of Senate President. If you have questions about Denver Bowling Senate and what we’re all about, Shawn is your go-to source.

Vice-President
Darrell Banks
The Denver Bowling Senate is where people come to meet and enjoy themselves. We strive to entertain all and fit the interests of each and every one of our members.

Deborah Draper
Secretary
You’d be hard pressed to find a bigger fan than Debra Draper. She brings such dedication, enthusiasm and energy to our Bowling Senate, and we don’t know where we’d be without her support.

Debbie Dopwell
Treasurer
Debbie Dopwell has been at the heart and soul of our Bowling Senate since the start. Got any questions about Denver Bowling Senate and what we’re all about, Debbie is your go-to source.
DENVER BOWLING SENATE OFFICERS 24-25 Season
Treasurer Deborah Dopwell
Secretary Deborah Draper
Sergeant at Arms Etta White
Tournament Director Mary Moore
REPRESENTATIVES AT LARGE
Ishmael Smittie
Steve Sauls
Shawntell Banks
Maryann Griffin
PRESIDENTS OF BOWLING CLUBS
Karla Lewis (Avengers) (no Membership)
Bev Buckmon (Strikers/Strikettes)
Etta White (Sights Unlimited)
Bobby Robinson (Club 5280)
Bruce Lumbus (Shot Masters)
PRESIDENTS (100% TNBA League)
Mark Moore
LIFE MEMBERS
Earlene Edwards
Shirley Shockley
Luther Moses
Ron Washington