The adult coach pays $12.00 per night to bowl three (3) games plus a small shoe rental fee that is required by the Lanes if you do not have your own. SNAP PAYS THE ATHLETES WEEKLY FEES AND THE LANES SUPPLY THE BOWLING SHOES FOR THE ATHLETES.

A full team is made up of two (2) adult coaches and two (2) athletes. Additionally, coaches will be asked to assist in our group fundraising efforts either through donations or volunteering your services from time to time so we can continue our mission to provide our "special athletes" the ability to participate in our sporting events, regardless of their race, ethnic background or financial status.

If you would like more information please feel free to contact us at: joe@snapofalabama.com or by snail mail to: 337 Riverbend Drive, Mobile, AL 36605, or by telephone at 251-285-0224.

A Brief History
by Joe Marshall, President/Executive Director

In 2003, I had the privilege of sponsoring an developmentally challenged young man to the National Unified Bowling Tournament in Knoxville, Tennessee. This individual was around 16 or 17 years of age at the time, and to my knowledge had never been away for a purely fun trip in his entire life. He lived in a group home and had just taken up bowling so he would have something to do for fun. Plus, he was having disciplinary problems and his house parents thought bowling might help in some way. As it turned out, when people became aware of his background they shunned him and didn't want him on their team.

About this same time, I had began bowling again because of a very dear friend, Blanche Payne. Blanche asked me to join her and her handicapped daughter on what was then the only unified bowling league in Mobile. I think she somehow knew that once I met this young man I would not be able to resist being this problem child's coach.

So together we started on a journey that fall which would eventually lead our team to Knoxville for the aforementioned tournament. That trip left a lasting impression on me that will never go away. You talk about being blessed...that kid and I and all of us together had such a great time it couldn't help but leave such an impression! Even 5 or 6 years later we all think of that trip and laugh together like it was yesterday!

I returned several times to this national event and would see the same faces year after year. I kept thinking there are lots and lots of handicapped citizens here in my local area that would not just enjoy, but would be thrilled to take the trip of their lifetime...if only someone would help them get there!  Well, that started me thinking, why can't we do something like this for these special athletes every year? As I looked into the possibility, I came to the realization that most of these individuals just don't have the resources to do participate. 

That's why Blanche I founded SPECIAL NEEDS ATHLETES' PROGRAMS, INC. OF ALABAMA. "SNAP" for short. Blanche and I and the other officers of SNAP don't have the resources to provide this opportunity for these special athletes by ourselves. But we do have the determination and the drive to see it come to fruition! And we know that once you meet some of these special people, you too will want to give them an opportunity to participate with others on their own level and perhaps even go on a trip that might be the adventure of their lifetime! See S.N.A.P. -N - GO.

Board Members: Fran Fitzgerald, Tom Nicosia, Joseph Hall, John Watson