‘The Walking Dead’ promotion enlivens AFSVA Summer Bowling League
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- The theme of “The Walking Dead,” AMC’s hit series about life after a zombie apocalypse, was an easy selection for this year’s Air Force Services Activity Summer Bowling League, said Don Freund, Air Force Bowling Program Manager.
“It happens to be the No. 1 show on television, especially among the 18-49 demographic,” Freund said. “In the bowling business, it’s all about increasing frequency visits. So by partnering with ‘The Walking Dead,’ we’re able to drive more traffic to our facilities.”
In terms of building and sustaining ready and resilient Airmen, Freund said, “we have created a fun, healthy and competitive activity for our Airmen that provides positive social interaction. Bowling is a lifetime sport that has no barriers to participate.”
The cost to participate is determined by the ball or pin the player selects and is based on the location, Freund said. Bowlers can join as individuals, and the manager will find them a spot on a team, he added. This year, participants will receive a licensed Walking Dead bowling ball and/or pin. The league champions from the Category B (16 lanes or less) and Category C (17 lanes and more) bowling centers that sign up the most participants per lane will go on a “Walker Stalker” cruise Feb. 3-6, 2017. More information on the cruise is located here: www.walkerstalkercruise.com.
As an added bonus, a random drawing will be conducted of all installation bowling centers that participated in the Walker Stalker Summer League. The league champions from the winning installation will also join the cruise.
Last year, 29 installations and 656 bowlers participated in a UFC promotion exclusive to the Armed Forces, where bowlers received UFC-themed bowling balls. The league winners from Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, traveled to Las Vegas to watch Conor McGregor defeat Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to win the featherweight title in UFC 194 on Dec. 12, 2015.
While the UFC promotion was successful, Freund said, “We’re trying to partner with the latest trends to generate more interest among our Airman and their families.”
Freund expects the number of participating installations to double this year.
“It’s about building confidence, knowing we’re rolling out a quality product, and I think they saw that with the UFC, especially with those who attended the fight,” Freund said.
One of the many bases taking part in the Walking Dead league is Moody AFB, Georgia, located only three hours from where the series films in Senoia, Georgia.
The Moody AFB Bowling Activity Manager Kehau Diamante, is a huge fan of the television show.
“Everyone here is familiar with ‘The Walking Dead,’” she said. More importantly, Diamante feels “the Walking Dead” Summer Bowling League will help with morale, enforce social skills among Airmen and add some friendly competition.
Check with your installation to see if “walkers” will make an appearance at a lane near you.