11 The Impact of the HUB Bowling Alley on UW Students’ Social Life

By: Kelly Giang and Jiahe Zhu

Place and Connectedness

At the University of Washington (UW) Seattle campus, there is a Husky Union Building, which is known as the HUB for students to socialize and hang out with friends, grab some food, and study there. It is located at the east side and near the center of the campus. On the lowest floor of the HUB, there are many fun activities that are open to students to use such as the bowling alley. The HUB Bowling Alley at UW connects to the theme of “Place and Connectedness” by providing a welcoming and shared space where students can gather, relax, and build connections beyond the classroom.

This venue acts as a social hub on campus, where students from different backgrounds come together to enjoy the experience of bowling and creating a sense of unity and community. For many, the bowling alley is not only a place for recreation but also a significant location for fostering friendships and finding a sense of belonging at UW. By serving as a gathering place that supports social interaction, the HUB Bowling Alley strengthens students’ ties to both their peers and the broader UW community, enhancing their overall college experience and promoting a lasting sense of connectedness.

History

One thing we think that could influence the bowling alley being a part of the UW Seattle campus is how popular bowling was back in the 20th century. For example as you can see in Figure 1, a UW fraternity took part in an intramural bowling tournament and they won championships. Also, in Figure 2, it shows that not only did students take part in intramural bowling, but also faculty members at the UW. Lastly, in Figure 3 and Figure 4, it shows how back in the 1950s, bowling was a part of the physical education curriculum, where students learn how to bowl at the UW.

We couldn’t find lots of written history behind bowling at UW, but these photos of students and faculty members bowling at UW shows how popular bowling was back then as a sport for students to learn, engage, and compete together with friends or members of their community. We also think that having the bowling alley located at the HUB is a great way to make it easily accessible to students when they need a break from studying and unwind with friends.

Students’ Experiences with Bowling at UW

From our interview, we gained insight about the significant role the HUB Bowling Alley plays in students’ social lives. One interviewee, Rui, shared how she gathers with friends there to relax and meet new people, describing it as more than just a recreational space—it’s a place where students form connections and create shared memories. She emphasized that this experience gives her a strong sense of belonging at UW and helps her feel more connected to campus life. Rui’s perspective aligns well with the theme of “Place and Connectedness,” illustrating how the HUB Bowling Alley serves as a communal space that fosters social bonds and a sense of community among students.

We also tried to look for sources about the HUB Bowling Alley to learn more about students’ experiences, but we couldn’t find any recent articles. However, another example we could find of students’ experiences with the HUB Bowling Alley is that there is a Registered Student Organizations (RSO) called the Husky Bowling Club, which is designed for any students interested in bowling to join and learn how to bowl with other members of the club (The HUB, n.d.).

By having a bowling club at the UW, this will create a space for students to find and form friendships in the club, share their passion for bowling, and build sportsmanship skills, which will be useful skills for the future, help them create meaningful memories, and a sense of belonging and community on campus. This aligns with our project’s focus on “Place and Connectedness” by showing how providing a unique venue where students from different backgrounds can connect, relax, and bond over shared activities can help foster a sense of community and belonging during their time at UW.

Conclusion

Bowling has been a part of the UW since a long time now and having a place where students could create meaningful interaction with friends and classmates outside of the classroom proves that the HUB Bowling Alley contributes to students’ social life here at the UW. Also, one perk of being a UW student is that there is a deal of $2.50 Tuesday at the HUB games. This can create many opportunities for students to utilize the HUB Bowling Alley since there are deals that could be affordable for students. Therefore, looking at the features of what the HUB Bowling Alley offers to students’ social life, we believe that this will help create a sense of belonging and community for them during their time at the UW and have many fun and meaningful memories with others as they look back at their time as a UW student.

AI Disclaimer

Parts of this project were developed with the assistance from ChatGPT, which was used to help brainstorm ideas, structure content, and enhance clarity in writing. All content has been carefully reviewed and edited by the authors to ensure accuracy and originality. The final submission reflects our personal insights and understanding of the subject.

References

Marten, E. F. (1952). Faculty members playing intramural bowling game, University of Washington, Seattle, May 26, 1952 [Photograph]. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, [UWC4761]. https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/uwcampus/id/37202

Marten, E. F. (1954). Alpha Tau Omega intramural bowling champions Frank Klepser, Dave Tuell, Don Stark, and Phelps Fisher, University of Washington, March 12, 1954 [Photograph]. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, [UWC5184]. https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/uwcampus/id/37700

Marten, E. F. (1955). Physical Education students learning bowling technique, University of Washington, Seattle, May 10, 1955 [Photograph]. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, [UWC5628]. https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/uwcampus/id/38084

Marten, E. F. (1955). Physical Education students observing demonstration of bowling technique, University of Washington, Seattle, May 10, 1955 [Photograph]. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, [UWC5629]. https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/uwcampus/id/38211

The HUB. (n.d.). Husky Bowling Club. https://huskylink.washington.edu/organization/huskybowlingclub