About Us

Located at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, the International Bowling Media Association (IBMA) promotes bowling journalism as a career choice to youth bowlers throughout America and provides awards and recognition to professional and amateur bowlers, industry volunteers and bowling writers.

The IBMA was formed when the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) and the National Women Bowling Writers (NWBW) merged into one group in 2007, forming the new BWAA. The name was changed in 2011 to include more forms of media.

Membership in IBMA is open to individuals and corporations who support the ideals of the organization. Corporate membership fees help fund the $5,000 Chuck Pezzano Media Scholarship presented by the Billiards and Bowling Institute of America.

The Bowling Writers Association of America, founded in 1934 by 16 charter members attending the organizational meeting in Peoria, Ill., was dedicated to developing professional writing, broadcasting and photographic skills within the sport of bowling, while subscribing to the highest ideals in communicating the word of bowling throughout the world.

The National Women Bowling Writers was organized on April 18, 1948 in Dallas, Texas. Their primary purpose was the promotion and circulation of material to aid writers in their work and to increase interest in bowling among women throughout the nation. The strength of NWBW was in the effectiveness of its grass roots members to communicate the story of bowling to local bowlers.