Editor’s Note: Each year, the November issue of BCM includes a section called “Karma,” featuring stories about men and women in bowling who do the right things for the right reasons. Each year during the holidays, we post those stories for all to enjoy here on bcmmag.com.
BY KARI SMITH WILLIAMS
Passionate individuals are the backbone of every vibrant community, but it is truly an exceptional act when a person’s personal dedication transforms into a lasting, shared legacy. Sally Cotton Kane’s dedication to mentorship and youth development created such a positive impact in her community that it continues to shape young lives today through the Sally Kane Memorial Scholarship.
When Sally joined her husband, Chuck Kane, in co-owning and operating Lucky Strike Lanes in Elwood, Indiana, in 2004, she channeled much of her energy there into youth bowling and education. As industry friend Scott Devers explains, “Sally wanted good out of people; that was what she was striving for.”
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, Mrs. Kane maintained her positive influence and passion for bowling until her passing in 2013.
In the wake of her death, the bowling community looked for a way to carry her dedication forward. Dave Kerschner, then Indiana Bowling Centers Association president, approached Chuck with the idea of establishing an IBCA-led event honoring Sally’s legacy.
Chuck recalled Kerschner asking him to chair a new charity golf tournament committee, but the initial lack of context on the charity’s purpose prompted him to ask, “Why would I want to do that?”
Kerschner’s response settled the matter instantly: “We want to put it in Sally’s name.”
Kane recalls, “It’s kind of hard to say no now, isn’t it?”
Chuck Kane has now chaired the IBCA Sally Kane Memorial Golf Open committee for 13 years and counting. The annual charity event primarily helps raise awareness of and support for the IBCA Sally Kane High School Bowlers Education Fund. Today, this fund has grown to annually recognize up to five USBC Youth bowlers who are seniors in high school for their community involvement and academic achievements in the form of college scholarships, also founded in Sally’s name.
Though Kane “fronts” the event, he is lightning quick to credit the top-notch network of Indiana proprietors for understanding the meaningfulness of the scholarship program through their very real investment of time and support.
“Scott Devers (the association’s manager) is especially instrumental in bringing this thing to life,” Kane says. “And everyone has a part to play. Mike Aulby becomes our celebrity putter, and his skill there has helped bring in additional funds. Bob Gudorf (formerly of Classic Products) solicits in-kind donations from vendors each year. The list goes on.”
Additionally, Kane cites Classic’s involvement as a key factor in the event’s exponential growth.
“When the tournament was established in 2013, IBCA hosted the event at French Lick Resort with only a handful of teams and a small award offering,” he says. “It really took off in 2014 when Classic Products came on and we moved it to Fort Wayne in conjunction with their annual trade show. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Gudorf, who was vice president of Classic at that time, sees the charity partnership with IBCA as a no-brainer.
“Distributors have a mission to educate the customer,” he explains. “Providing support to an event furthering the educational opportunities of the next generation? Can’t ever go wrong that way.”
Under the leadership of Mike Eid, Classic continues to take the event to new heights. In 2025, the one-day golf tournament maxed out at 30 teams. The following day, all five Sally Kane Memorial Scholarship recipients came into town to receive their $2,500 scholarships at Park View Field before a 250-person bowling family audience.
The scholarship program is primarily funded by IBCA and administered by SMART, ensuring professional management of the funds. Over its 13-year history, more than $70,000 has been awarded to students for higher education, directly benefiting 50 deserving students who reflect the standards of excellence Sally Kane championed.
“The scholarship opportunities IBCA provides — it’s not peanuts,” Chuck Kane says. “We understand the cost of education is so high now. Our goal is to provide opportunities for deserving high school seniors who will use it, who need it.”
It’s clear there is significant data to back up Kane’s claim: According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of college tuition and fees rose 17.4% over the past 20 years, adjusted for inflation. Students looking to carve out a future for themselves today are facing an unprecedented cost that poignantly underscores the importance of scholarship programs like this one.
The Sally Kane Memorial Scholarship Selection Committee awards funds to graduating seniors who demonstrate exceptional community involvement and academic achievement. According to Devers, the IBCA has recently approved increasing the scholarship fund to award a total of $15,000 annually, beginning in 2026.
Criteria for the scholarship was ultimately determined to reflect Sally Kane’s priorities in life.
“Sally was all about supporting youth, bowling and community service, so that’s how we developed the criteria,” Devers says. “The focus is less on bowling prowess and more about how they give back to the community. In other words, how they will leave their mark on the world in the positive way Sally did.”
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