Beyond the Lane: Lansing Sports Commission Champions Community Connection
National Stage, Local Impact
The 6th Annual NAIA Men’s and Women’s Bowling National Championships rolled into Lansing’s Royal Scot Golf & Bowl in mid-March 2026, bringing 192 elite athletes, coaches, and staff from across the nation. While the competition was fierce with the Mount Mercy Mustangs (Iowa) staging a thrilling comeback to take the men’s title and Pikeville (Kentucky) clinching the women’s division, the true impact of the weekend extended far beyond the final score.
Commitment to Character
Central to the NAIA experience is the Champions of Character program. This initiative instills five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership into the hearts of student-athletes, coaches, and parents alike. As a part of their National Championships, the NAIA encourages host cities to include a Teaming Up for Character event in the championship schedule.
“This is something that means a lot to me as a coach and to experience something like this is very, very humbling. And it’s great character-building as well. I couldn’t be happier for the experience that we got out of this today.” Michael Maida – Assistant Bowling Coach for Ottawa University
Weaving Sport into the Community Fabric
The Lansing Sports Commission (LSC) took this mission to heart by weaving the Teaming up for Character into the fabric of the local community. The day before competition, LSC partnered with Special Olympics Michigan to create an unforgettable experience for 24 local athletes. Each Special Olympian was assigned to a collegiate team making up the NAIA All-Star Team. Athletes experienced a special introduction, were presented with team gear, athlete credentials and an official NAIA All-Star team poster. The day featured a bowling session and an ice cream social complete with bingo, yard games, sign-making, photobooth and a heart-warming visit from Canines for Change.
A Legacy of Leadership and Support
This community-first approach was made possible through the support of event sponsor Kellie Dean, CEO of Dean Transportation and Dean Trailways and longtime board member of Choose Lansing/Lansing Sports Commission. A lifelong advocate for Special Olympics Michigan, Dean’s legacy of service spans decades from his early days as a special education aide to leading a transportation network that serves 90,000 students daily. His dedication provided the perfect backdrop for an event rooted in servant leadership.
“Dean Transportation was invited to participate as the sponsor for this event. When I looked into what it’s about, it reflects the missions of the NAIA by creating values, opportunities, change in the level of sportsmanship, community involvement and servant leadership. And that’s exactly what we strive to do at Dean Transportation. And maybe these young bowlers may reach out later and get involved in something like the Special Olympics, or they may reach out in their community, make an impact, and do something that really changes the lives of young people.” Kellie Dean
More Than Just a Venue or Destination
For the Lansing Sports Commission, hosting a national championship is about more than logistics and trophies; it is an opportunity to advocate for “sport with a purpose,” ensuring that visiting teams leave a lasting, positive footprint on the Lansing region while taking home key values.
“Having the opportunity to create a Championship experience for the Special Olympics athletes and seeing the joy on their faces participating in the day has left a lasting impact on our staff, the collegiate athletes & coaches. Showcasing that sport is bigger than just the playing surface and can bring so much good to a community provides greater meaning to what we strive to do daily. We would like to especially thank Kellie Dean for his unwavering support of the Teaming Up for Character initiative.” Lansing Sports Commission’s Sport Event Manager, Barbara Powers-Garmyn shares,
Why Choose Lansing for Your Next Event?
The Lansing Sports Commission is ready to do more than secure your venue. They strive to be your greatest advocate, helping you host “sport with a purpose.” From logistical excellence to meaningful community outreach, they ensure your organization’s core values are on full display from the first whistle to the final ceremony.
Let’s Build Something Meaningful Together
Are you looking for a host city that invests in your mission as much as your box score? Partner with the Lansing Sports Commission to give your athletes an experience they’ll never forget.
