Annual Tournament

The 19th Annual Marvin Overby Memorial Sport Tournament will be held on Feb. 26, 27 and 28 in 2027. Check back to see the schedule.

Team Event

• Entry Fee Per Team: $80 ($20 per individual)
  ($40 bowling & expenses/$40 prize fund)
• Optional All Events Fee: $5
  ($4.50 prize fund/$.50 expenses)

Note: multiple entries are allowed. See the rules section.

Singles & Doubles

• Entry Fee Singles, Doubles and Team: $25 per person/per event
  ($15 prize fund/$10 expenses)
• Optional All Events Fee: $5
  ($4.50 prize fund/$.50 expenses)
• Scratch Fee, Per Event: $5

Payment Options

We accept checks, money orders, Zelle and Venmo payments for preregistration. There is a $30 charge on all returned checks. Walk-ins accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, if space is available (cash or money order only).

Register and pay online or fill out and mail registration with a check or money order payable to the “FSU Bowling Team” to:

FSU Student Union, Bowling & Billiards
Att: Jason Forbes
75 N. Woodward Ave., Rm. 101
Tallahassee, FL 32306

Onlne Payment Options:

• 
• Jason Forbes @JaFo32

• 
• Bowling Club at Florida State University

The following rules, along with all USBC rules, will govern the tournament.

Tournament Format

The event will be a handicap tournament with team, doubles, singles, and all-events categories. Optional scratch divisions will also be offered. The tournament will be USBC Sport Bowling–sanctioned, with required tape readings and pattern verifications before each shift to confirm eligibility for USBC Sport Bowling Honor Score Awards. If Sport certification is not accepted, all scores will still qualify for regular USBC awards and tournament prizes.

Eligibility

Open to all USBC-sanctioned members. Proof of membership is required.

Fees

• $20 per event ($10 prize fund + $10 lineage/expense) for team, doubles, and singles.
• $5 All-Events entry ($4.50 prize fund + $0.50 expense).
• $5 per event for optional scratch divisions ($4.50 prize fund + $0.50 expense).

Bowlers may enter multiple times as lanes allow. Singles entrants must also bowl doubles (and vice versa). First scores in each event count toward the all-events total. Teams may not duplicate more than two bowlers from another team.

Refunds

If neither of the two preferred shifts is available or equipment failure prevents completion of an event, a refund will be issued. No other refunds will be granted.

Entering Averages

Each bowler must report their highest league average (regular or Sport) from the 2024-25 season with at least 21 games. If unavailable, use the 2024 summer or 2023–24 average as of January 1, 2024.

• Sport averages will be used as-is.
• Non-sport averages will be adjusted to Sport equivalents using the USBC Sport Average Adjustment Chart.

USBC Rules 319a-2 (10-pin rule) and 319a-3 (average verification) apply. Incorrect averages resulting in additional handicap will disqualify prize eligibility. Rules 319d and 319e are waived.

Prize Distribution

Prize funds will be paid at a 1-in-6 ratio (or major portion) and returned 100%. Multiple singles or doubles entries may earn prize money only for the highest finish. For the youth division, funds will be paid via SMART accounts.

Handicap

Handicap is 90% of 200, based on a Sport or Sport-equivalent average (e.g., a 180 house average converts to a 167 Sport average per USBC chart).

Check-In

Check in 30 minutes prior to each event. In emergencies, contact the bowling center at 850-644-1819.

Substitutions

Team captains may make substitutions up to 30 minutes before bowling. Eligible replacements may be used for bowlers unable to finish an event.

Tournament Management

The Tournament Manager has final authority on all disputes, subject to USBC appeal within 72 hours. Liability is limited to a refund of entry fees if bowling is prevented by delay, schedule change, or emergency.

Brackets available for each squad | 100% of the prize fund returned.

Bowlers with sport bowling averages shall use their highest 2024-25 sport average. Those with only a regular/non-sport average will have their highest 2024-25 average adjusted to sport bowling average in accordance with the USBC adjustment schedule. See bowl.com/sportbowling for more information. The 10 Pin Rule is in effect and considers this years averages as of January 1, 2026.

Sport patterns typically have an oil ratio of 4:1 or lower, while standard or “house” patterns commonly used in many leagues have an oil ratio of 8:1 or higher and average around 40 feet in length. The lower the oil ratio, the more challenging the pattern. Because oil patterns vary in shape and difficulty, league averages achieved on Sport or Challenge conditions must be reclassified using conversion charts.

Sport or Challenge Averages Adjusted to Standard
The Sport and Challenge Conversion Chart is used to convert a bowler’s Sport or Challenge average to a standard average, and vice versa, for leaugues and tournaments. The conversion chart is not considered a “re-rate” of the bowler. Its purpose is to allow for a fair adjustment so the bowler’s entering average is what would be expected of the bowler on the lane conditions of the league or tournament.

FSU Bowling & Billiards
75 N. Woodward Ave.
Tallahassee, FL 32306

Parking

Parking is available in Woodward garage across from the Student Union and the adjoining parking lots.

• Visitor Parking
• 3D Map

Former FSU Crenshaw Lanes manager and bowling coach Marvin Overby was a key figure in Tallahassee’s bowling community for nearly forty years. As a longtime coach of the FSU bowling teams, his nurturing and supportive style helped countless student-athletes achieve success. Under his leadership, the 2001 Men’s Team and the 2003 Women’s Team both advanced to national championships.

Marvin began his career at Crenshaw Lanes in 1964 as its first mechanic and went on to serve in many roles, including manager, for almost four decades. He passed away in 2004, leaving behind a lasting legacy.

When Crenshaw Lanes closed in 2018, the FSU Student Union carried Marvin’s spirit forward into the new Bowling and Billiards center, which opened in August 2022. We’re proud to continue honoring him through this annual tournament and look forward to welcoming you.

The FSU Bowling Team competes exclusively on Sport Patterns, which are flatter and more challenging than standard house patterns, demanding greater precision and consistency. These same patterns are used in top-level competitions such as the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA), United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Masters, and international events.

bowling-billiards@fsu.edu
850-644-5908

Jason Forbes
Program Manager
FSU Bowling & Billiards
jrforbes@fsu.edu