Terry Bigham

USBC Communications

Melanie Crawford of Plano, Texas, a sophomore at Stephen F. Austin University majoring in sports marketing, has been selected to receive the 2014 Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award.

The award, which provides a $6,000 scholarship, annually recognizes a female USBC Youth bowler for star qualities, including distinguished bowling performances, academic achievement and extracurricular activities. The award is named in honor of the seven-term president of the Women’s International Bowling Congress.

“Being selected as The Alberta E. Crowe recipient is such an incredible honor, and without a doubt it earns a spot at the top of the list of things I have been blessed with in my life,” Crawford said. “Bowling really carried me through some rough times in the past, and I have had so many people push me and support me, so it’s incredible to see the hard work and support of others pay off. And the fact that it has paid off on a scale this high, just makes it so much more meaningful and surreal.”

Before joining the Stephen F. Austin women’s bowling team, Crawford was a member of the Allen High School bowling team, helping the team to a runner-up finish at the 2010 Texas High School Bowling Club state tournament. She was named Newcomer of the Year for High School Bowling in 2009 and Bowler of the Year in 2012.

Crawford, 19, said she started bowling the summer before seventh grade. Her father signed up her and her sister for a youth-adult league, despite their protests.

“I still vividly remember complaining the entire car ride to the first day of league,” Crawford said. “I watched one of the other girls close to my age on the first day, and I was so impressed with her skill. So, in my competitive nature, I decided I wanted to be just as good, if not better than her. I fell in love with the sport on the very first day of league, looked forward to it every Sunday and I haven't looked back since.”

Crawford has competed in the last six Junior Gold Championships, with a high finish of 13th in 2012. She was a member of the first Dallas Youth Leaders Program in 2012, received the Miss Dallas 2012 bowling award from the Dallas Women’s USBC and was inducted into the Youth Hall of Honor in 2013 by the Texas State USBC.

She volunteered as a Sunday School teacher assistant and for Mission Week through St. Jude Catholic Church. She also worked at the Allen Community Outreach food pantry and at a Toys for Tots basketball event, and assisted with the 2011 Texas Youth State Bowling event.

As the Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award winner, Crawford will receive an expenses-paid trip to the 2014 USBC Convention in Reno, Nev., where she will be presented the award. BOWL.com will live stream the USBC Convention, including the award presentation.

Go to BOWL.com/Scholarships to learn more about scholarships available to USBC Youth bowlers.