Bash at the Back Alley

Nicoles Williams, grinning from ear to ear, tossed the heavy ball down the lane, knocking down six pins in its wake. \nNicoles, who was there with his “Big Sister,” sophomore Ansley Fous, through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, was one of many bowlers celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Back Alley Friday in the Indiana Memorial Union. \n“I like it because it’s fun,” Nicoles said of the party before getting cake. “And it’s free!”\nThe celebration consisted of free bowling and billiards all day and a “birthday party” from 4 to 7 p.m. complete with lemonade, hot dogs and birthday cake. Members of the community and students both enjoyed free games throughout the day.\n“It’s free food and bowling – you can’t really beat that,” sophomore Shane Brazeal said. “I’m having a good time.”\nMany students and staff felt the Back Alley is relatively unknown, and the celebration helped to renew awareness.\n“There’s a lot of people who don’t know about the bowling alley,” sophomore Tara Thornburg said. “It’s a way to get people interested.”\nJohn Bower, the assistant coordinator of indoor recreation, said students sometimes graduate without ever knowing about the bowling alley until they attend an orientation with their own children.\n“I still get comments from parents like ‘you didn’t have that when I was here,’” Bower said. “Well, it was here.” \nCorbin Smyth, IMU assistant director of activities and events, agreed the celebration marked a long history of the IMU and IU as a whole.\n“The event was really to highlight how long the Back Alley has existed,” Smyth said. “We’re providing opportunities to remind students that the campus and the center have been here a long time.”\nThe celebration was a reminder of the Back Alley’s age and its increasing financial needs for renovation. Much of the original equipment, including the tables and lanes, is still being used today.\nDespite the financial need of the Back Alley, the University has always been supportive of the bowling alley.\n“Students sometimes feel that the University doesn’t care,” Bower said. “But it was a commitment on the University’s part to keep us open and that means a lot.”