Ebonite

Nov 21, 2007

Long-time staffer Jason Couch to sit out season with injury deferral from PBA

HOPKINSVILLE, KY - Once again, Ebonite is fielding a star-studded staff on the PBA Tour, led by 2005-2006 Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year Tommy Jones and Dino Castillo. While PBA stalwart Jason Couch remains on Ebonite’s staff, he will not compete on the PBA Tour this year due to a knee injury.

“We are certainly to pleased to have Tommy and Dino represent our brand at our sport’s highest level. We are confident that they will both have incredible years,” said Ed Gallagher, Ebonite brand manager. “Their success on the PBA Tour provides invaluable exposure for our Ebonite balls.”

Jones has been a member of the Ebonite PBA Tour staff since he joined the Tour in 2002. In addition to winning Player of the Year in 2005-2006, he was also the 2002 Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year. He has captured 10 Tour titles in his career.

Castillo is entering his second year as a member of Ebonite’s PBA Tour staff. In 2006-2007, he earned his second career exemption by leading the non-exempt points race, finishing 40th in the PBA World Point Rankings. He is a five-time member of Team USA.

Couch serves as the dean of Ebonite’s PBA Tour staff. Like Jones, he has been a member of this staff since joining the Tour in 1992. He has 15 professional titles and 22 regional titles to his credit. Couch remains the only bowler in PBA Tour history to win three consecutive Tournament of Champions from 1999 to 2001.

Over this past summer, Couch had knee surgery and was expected to recover in time for the PBA season. However, lingering effects caused him to seek an injury deferral from the PBA. With this deferral, he will maintain his exempt status when he returns for the 2008-2009 season. Even though he will not be able to provide exposure for the Ebonite brand on the PBA Tour, the company is honoring its sponsorship arrangement.

“While we are all disappointed that we will not get to see Jason’s tremendous personality and talent on Tour this year, we will continue to embrace him as part of the Ebonite family,” said Gallagher.

During his downtime, Couch will assist Ebonite in their sales efforts, primarily in the Southeast. “Ebonite was one of two sponsors who immediately said they wanted me to stay on staff this year even though I was not on Tour,” said Couch. “It’s great to be a part of a company that has such loyalty. Their support gives me additional drive to take my game to an even higher level when I return next year.”

Based in Hopkinsville, KY, Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that current services bowling centers, distributors and retail shops both domestically and internationally. The company’s consumer product brands include Ebonite, Hammer, Robby’s, Columbia 300 and Track. Its commercial product brands are Ebonite VanTech Capital Equipment, Vantage Genuine Parts, Ebonite Bowling Center Direct and Powerhouse™.

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