It is an average weeknight at Luther College. For most students, that means a long evening of hanging around the dorms, doing homework or watching TV. For others, though, this means time spent hanging out with friends and bowling at Oneota Lanes.

Some students go bowling as often as once a week, many choosing to take advantage of Quarter-mania night on Wednesdays. However, with the busy schedules Luther students keep, many wish they could go more frequently.

“It’s hard to find the time in college,” said Karl Boleen (‘08). “I used to bowl every Friday night in high school.”

One way students are getting down to the bowling alley more often is through the physical education skills class taught by head baseball coach Brian Gillogly.

Bowling is just one of the many options students can take to fulfill their physical education requirement.

“I was in the class for two semesters,” said Boleen. “It was something that took me away from school life. It was also a good social event, and I made friends.”

Erik Johnson (‘10), another student from the bowling class, agreed the class was a good experience.

“If I had the means of transportation, I would go bowling more often,” said Johnson. “The class was a lot of fun.”

The class teaches a variety of things about bowling, including good technique and how to keep score. However, it also instructs students in bowling etiquette, such as when to approach the lane if someone beside you is preparing to take his or her swing.

“Getting people to learn more about etiquette was nice to have taught,” said Boleen.

The class also offered an opportunity to try different types of bowling, including team competitions and ninepin, a variation of 10-pin bowling where knocking over nine pins counts as a strike.

“I liked the ninepin bowling,” said Johnson. “It gave me a chance to improve my score.”

Boleen agreed.

“I do like ninepin,” said Boleen. “It gives you a chance to boost self-esteem. Instead of bowling a 160, I bowl in the low 200s or 220s. We did about two weeks of that, so it was fun.”

For Boleen, competition is some of the reason he enjoys bowling, but it is also about being with friends.

“I’m a competitive guy,” said Boleen. “I played sports and hate losing, but I wouldn’t want to go bowling by myself.”

Johnson also enjoys the social aspect of bowling.

“It’s an activity where I can be with my friends and spend time with them,” said Johnson.

One activity which may be impacting bowling’s popularity is Wii bowling, on the Nintendo Wii video game system. Some fans may say Wii bowling is just as good as real bowling, but students in the bowling class would disagree.

“I’ve heard people talk about how good they are at bowling, bowling a 260 or 300,” said Boleen. “But they’re talking about Wii bowling. It’s fun, but it’s not the same thing.”

Johnson agreed.

“It’s just a different atmosphere to do Wii bowling,” said Johnson. “It’s so unrealistic, and that kind of takes the fun out of it. In real life you would get a zero for doing the same thing that would get you a 300 in Wii bowling.”

Although Luther has moved away from its bowling heritage by transforming Marty’s from a bowling alley to a cyber café, it seems as though bowling will continue to be a popular activity.

“Bowling gives me the chance to be in a different environment but still be with people I know,” said Boleen. “It’s just fun to do.”