Growing up, there was no question that my future career would be in bowling. My ultimate goal: to be a PBA Hall of Famer. Every Saturday was like Christmas morning. I couldn't wait to get up and go bowl junior leagues! When league was over, it was time to go home and watch the Pro Bowlers Tour on TV. Whenever Mike Aulby was on the show, it couldn't start soon enough! I watched, learned, and practiced as much as I could about the game. In fact, my first job was in a bowling center, and even through my first years in college, there was still no question I was going to be a professional bowler.

However, as many people read this, most are asking themselves, "Who is Corey Kistner? He isn't a pro bowler, I have never even heard of this guy." Unfortunately, despite my efforts, I am not a professional bowler. And, maybe after people read this, they can at least say they have heard of me. My title reads "PBA Tour Coordinator" which is just a fancy name for Assistant Tournament Director. Although to the players it seems tournament directors simply go by nicknames like "Tiger," or "Goose." This year I have seemed to acquire the name "Sarge." I am quite certain this comes from the fact that I am a former Marine Corps Sergeant. Or maybe it's because of my haircut, who really knows? Either way, "Sarge" seems to be my new identity on tour. I am the person who really runs the tournaments each week (but don't tell Kirk I said that).

This week I was asked to provide the "Life on Tour" piece for the website. Really, there is nothing exciting an Assistant Tournament Director can write about his "Life on Tour," at least not without the risk of getting fired. So, for this week this piece should be titled "Livin' a Dream." Working for the PBA is not a job, it is a lifestyle. Most people would not take a "job" where you must work 14 hours a day, six or seven days with no overtime, that keeps them away from home for up to nine months a year, or where every decision you make inevitably makes someone upset. But I would, because I love it!

For me, being on tour is like winning the lottery everyday. Very few people have the opportunity to do something for a living they truly love, and I am fortunate enough to be of the few who say they do. I actually look forward to those 14-hour days and nine months on the road. At heart, I am a bowler and bowling fan that simply gets paid to watch bowling. Does it get any better than that? Of course, it really isn't that simple. When I took on this job I had no idea what really went into running a PBA Tour event. I was amazed at how much really happened "behind the scenes." And, like any job, there are days I want to quit (even though I really don't). After three years, I have grown accustomed to the lifestyle that is the Denny's PBA Tour and with the exception of actually bowling on Tour, I can't think of anything else I would rather do.

Technically I did achieve my dream of becoming a "professional bowler" simply by becoming a PBA member. However, bowling accomplishments aren't always measured on the lanes. As a PBA employee, I am not eligible to compete in any PBA events. Therefore, I will never win 40 titles. I will never be named Player of the Year. I will never wear a green jacket or even bowl on TV. But I was right about one thing growing up: I always knew I would make my living in the sport of bowling.

I still can't wait for the TV show each week. I still get star struck whenever the likes of Carmen Salvino make an appearance. It was an honor to be on hand to watch my childhood idol, Mike Aulby, bowl his last Tour stop. Who knows, maybe someday my ultimate dream may still come true and, like "Goose," I too will be a PBA Hall of Famer and be remembered for what I did off the lanes. But, even if I am not, I will always be a small part of PBA history which no one can take away.

Just livin' a dream,

-Sarge