FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2014

CONTACT:
Gordon Vadakin
Phone (316) 978-7655
Fax (316) 978-6056
email - shocker.bowling@wichita.edu
www.wichita.edu/bowling

WICHITA, Kan. – A former Shocker Bowler and a former Shocker Bowling Camper have started new scholarships for the Shocker Bowling team.

The family of Christopher Ferguson has graciously started a scholarship in his name. Chris was a former camper who attended two Wichita State Shocker Bowling Camps in the late 1990’s. He passed away in a car accident in 2006. His family started the scholarship because he had a great love for bowling. Ferguson was an avid league bowler at Landmark Lanes in Peoria, Ill. He also joined the Professional Bowlers Association in 2006.

Brenda Payton, Christopher’s mother, has since started a campaign in Illinois related to accidents involving alcohol.

“All of us were stunned by Chris’ passing as well as humbled and honored that his mother Brenda chose to honor her son’s memory in such an awesome way,” said head coach Gordon Vadakin.

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Chip Aki (’85 – ’88) was a member of the team that won Wichita State’s second national title in 1987. He was an amazing team player, very positive and always supporting his teammates. Chip has had many successes not only in his amateur bowling career but in his professional career as well.

“It was an honor to be able to assist the program that was instrumental in my development as a person and a bowler,” said Chip Aki. “I want to help Shocker Bowling to continue the growth of the program and provide the best experience for the competitors.”

Shocker Bowling is very grateful of these two scholarships. With the ever-growing cost of tuition, it is crucial to the program’s success to have new scholarships created.

If you are interested in creating your own scholarship or making a donation to the Shocker Bowling program, please feel free to contact Gordon Vadakin (gordon.vadakin@wichita.edu) or visit the Shocker Bowling portion of the Wichita State Foundation website (https://foundation.wichita.edu/gifts/gordon-and-cindy-hubbard-vadakin-honorary-endowed-bowling-scholarship/).

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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.