Submitted
On Wednesday, September 25 planning members and volunteers for the inaugural Salina Irish Road Bowling delivered to Kansas Wesleyan University President, Matt Thompson 48 tubes of Colgate toothpaste and 70 individual Colgate Slimsoft toothbrushes a total value of around $300 and a check for $1,700.
All proceeds go to benefit the startup of KWU’s planned student hygiene pantry.
The funds will purchase and distribute to students’ essential health and hygiene products (soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.) along with education materials designed to support student well-being and keep the campus and community healthy.
The funds were raised as part of the introduction to Irish Road Bowling held in Salina on Saturday, September 7 at Indian Rock Park.
Imported from rural Ireland, the game has roots going back to the 1600s when Irish rebels stole cannonballs from British armories and rather than carry the 28-ounce cannonballs opted to roll them down Irish backroads spawning contests to determine who could roll the cannonballs (which came to be called “bullets”) the furthest. In the United States, teams of four alternate rolling the bullet around a designated course with the winner determined by which team completed the course with the fewest number of rolls.
Prior to the start of the event, Dr. Linda C. Niessen, Founding Dean of the Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine presented to President Thompson the Colgate products. Teams paid $100 to enter the competition and all those funds along with some added support from sponsors created the $1,700.
KWU also played an important part by having the 45 members of the KWU women’s basketball team serve as volunteers throughout the event helping with course management, chasing stray bullets, and serving as caddies for each team.
The planning members also noted how supportive and helpful the Salina Park and Recreation Department was in preparing and planning the event.
Following the performance of both the United States and Ireland national anthems and after greeting and thanking those in attendance, President Thompson got the games underway throwing the ceremonial first roll.
When the competition was concluded the winning team was the Blue Bloods, comprised of officers representing the Salina Police Department. Chief CJ Wise made an appearance and congratulated his officers.
The Blue Bloods won KWU full-sport passes and free registration to the fall Kansas City, Kansas bowl competition and will represent Salina battling 70 teams in WyCo Park.
The Blue Bloods completed the course in 18 rolls. The winners were followed closely by two teams, Arseways Allies and Lori Blake 4 Kansas which tied at 19. The Allies were awarded the runner-up spot due to a longer first throw.
The Bowling Stones were recognized as the best named team and Kathleen’s Krew was awarded the prize for successfully completing the course with the most throws.
The Planning Group invites people to visit the website www.SalinaIrishrb.com and to “like” Salina Irish Road Bowling on Facebook. These two sites will provide information and updates leading to Saturday September 6, 2025, and the next roll.