About Minnesota High School Bowling

Updated 8-1-25

Minnesota High School Bowling (MHSB):

- Is a club program administered by the Bowling Proprietors Association (BPAM) and is governed by a set of rules that have been modeled after those of the Minnesota State High School League.

- Was established in 1984.

- Is for boys and girls in 7th to 12th grade. (Some schools allow 5th and 6th graders to practice with their team.)

- Is a fall sport. Practice can begin the second Monday in August. Conference competition typically is held from early September through mid-November. Conference tournaments are completed by mid-November. There are several postseason teams that teams can qualify for that take place from late November through early December.

- Is for students of all experience and skill levels.

- Featured 1,325 bowlers in 2024 (106 varsity teams and 113 junior varsity teams). The league stretches from Ada to Duluth to Winona to Gibbon.

- Offers the opportunity for many bowlers to earn varsity letters (at many participating schools, but not all). 

- Uses the baker-system. Five to eight bowlers each bowl one or two frames to complete a single game. It is a unique and exciting competition format for both players and spectators.

Other Info...

- Most teams practice two teams each week, but some teams practice just once per week. The days, times, and locations of practices are different for every team.

- Teams will compete one time per week. The days, times, and locations of competitions are different for every team.

- If your school does not have its own team, your school can combine (i.e pair) with another school to ensure that everyone who wants to can participate in High School Bowling.

- For a school to field its own team, there needs to be at least five players (boys or girls in 7th to 12th grade) and a responsible adult willing to manage/coach the team.

- You do not need to own your equipment to participate. You can borrow bowling balls and bowling shoes from the participating bowling centers.

- For more information about Minnesota High School Bowling, please email MHSB Executive Director Josh Hodney.

- Each year, an average of $220,000 in scholarship money is awarded to Minnesota youth and high school bowlers. 

- An estimated 250 colleges and universities now offer bowling as a club, NAIA, or NCAA sport.