Brief History

Del Ballard, Jr. and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard

A Life Story 

Born into the environment of bowling, since the parents of both Del and Carolyn were avid bowlers, they were destined to use their talents in many ways.

At 18 years of age, Del joined the PBA (Professional Bowlers Tour) and earned 13 titles which included four major championships of which two were U.S. Open titles. He is ranked 29th among the greatest of all time and is currently one of the top national and international bowling coaches in the world. He has worked with National Teams from Hong Kong, Italy and Abu Dhabi.  Del was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2009 and the USBC Hall of Fame in 2011 and currently works for Storm Products as a Tour Rep and Consultant.

At 25, Carolyn joined the LPBT tour (later PWBA) and won 20 national championships, including three majors in her career. She also captured two USBC/PBA Women’s World Series titles as well as the World Tour Championship in 2011. Carolyn was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2008 and the PWBA Hall of Fame in 2020 and admits she was never the most talented, but credits hard work and determination for her success.

Off the lanes Del and Carolyn are the owners of Ballard’s Bowling Academy Training Lanes and Ballard’s Bowling Academy Pro Shops. However, they both agree that their greatest accomplishment is their 11-year-old daughter, Alyssa.

The current passion for the Ballard family is their charity event: Ballard vs. The Big “C” Striking Back to Spare More Lives. The idea for the event took root after Del was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in 2010 which changed their lives forever.  Since it’s inception, this event has contributed almost $500,000 to support three great organizations: Baylor Scott & White, North Texas Laryngectomy Society and Cancer Care Services.

The Ballard’s and their friends knew that through bowling they could make changes in the lives of not only those in the immediate community but worldwide. One of the most exciting parts of the event is exposing new people and businesses to the sport of bowling. Great care is so necessary through the journey of treating cancer that it is most important for us to help those who might not have access to all they need during and after treatment.

As Del and Carolyn have said, “This is what we are supposed to do – help others who may not be able to help themselves as well as give back to our community through our sport”. Please join us in The Fight against The Big “C”.

Thank you.

Del and Carolyn Ballard