FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2014
CONTACT:
Gordon Vadakin
Phone (316) 978-7655
Fax (316) 978-6056
email - shocker.bowling@wichita.edu
www.wichita.edu/bowling
Shockers Sign Gore Scholarship Recipient
WICHITA, Kan. – With over 250 students achieving Academic All American status throughout program history, Shocker Bowling prides itself on academics. Next semester, one of our own will be the recipient of Wichita State University’s most prestigious scholarship; the $52,000 Harry Gore Scholarship.
Annually, the scholarship is given to two high school seniors based on leadership
potential.
Derrick Holmes, a senior at Wichita High School Southeast in Wichita, Kan., competed
for the Gore Scholarship against 328 contestants. Of those students, 52 qualified
for the semi-finals and 11 for the finals. Alongside Holmes, Kevin Kraus of Wichita,
Kan. was selected for the other Gore scholarship.
Requirements for entry into the competition include a 3.5 cumulative GPA and a 24
composite on the ACT or a 1090 on the SAT.
“It feels so surreal,” Holmes said in the Sunflower, WSU’s student newspaper. “The
competition was fierce. Any of the other finalists could be up here right now.”
Holmes, who will play on the Shocker Bowling selected team for the 2014-2015 season,
plans on studying engineering. Last year he placed in the Kansas Youth Top Ten Majors
(men), was selected for the ITRC (International Training and Research Center) Bowling
Combine and was the Dexter High School All-American.
Holmes was given an additional honor recently, as he was chosen as the 2014 Chuck
Hall Star of Tomorrow, awarded annually to the top male young bowler in the country.
He holds a high game of 300 and a high three-game series of 772.
The Shocker Bowling Program has been fortunate enough to attract twelve other Chuck
Hall recipients since the start of the award in 1980. Some notable Chuck Hall Star
of Tomorrow award winners are Justin Hromek (1985), Lonnie Waliczek (1989), and Sean
Rash (2001).
“We’re pleased to have Derrick in this program,” Head Coach Gordon Vadakin said.
“His academic work ethic and leadership ability will bring great things to our team.”
Holmes is signing his Shocker Bowling letter of intent this Sunday, April 27, 2014,
5:00 p.m. at Northrock Lanes, 3232 North Rock Rd. in Wichita, KS.
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The Rhatigan Student Center has been the major financial and administrative supporter
of the Wichita State University bowling program since 1959.