Teri grew up in the sport of bowling, beginning in youth ranks in 1966 at age three! Teri bowled in youth leagues until age 18 and then moved to women’s leagues. In 1985 she won her first state doubles title with Nancy McVenes from Mankato (Age 18)! Teri was the first female to shoot 700 in Mankato. She bowled four years collegiately for Minnesota State Mankato (1982-1986). Teri boasts four years national collegiate teams top 10 and held the highest individual series in the nation “Collegiately,” at age 19. In 1992 she was chosen to teach with the traveling Dick Ritger Camps and has continued to support this method of teaching for 30+ years! Teri Owned Millsy’s pro shop from 1992 to 1995.

In 1996 Teri went to work in the finance world and left bowling for approximately 10 years, to have children and raise her family. It was her boys, (Brennan & Briley Haugh) who brought her back to the sport! When her sons started inquiring about past success; she decided to come back into the bowling world as a “Sub”. This lasted about two weeks and it is all history from there!

Teri took over the head coach position for Faribault High School bowling in 2010 and has built the program to over 70 participants. She became interested in college bowling when one of her high school participants expressed an interest in pursuing bowling on the college level. Since that time Teri has become the liaison between high school bowling and college bowling. She was the originator of the Midwest Collegiate Bowling Experience & Expo (originally the Midwest Combine). This event brings students, looking for introductions, and college coaches from across the country together. The Collegiate event, runs a full Flight Tournament in the morning, followed by a college expo in the afternoon. Parent classes run throughout the day to answer the many questions involved in the transition from High school to college! The Midwest Collegiate Bowling Experience & Expo is held in Minnesota every December and builds every year!

In 2011, in coordination with the Minnesota State Bowling Proprietors (BPAM) & Lonny Olson, Teri originated the nonprofit organization: The United States Bowling Academy. This association includes a select staff of accredited bowling instructors, with a myriad of knowledge to share with their students. Under the umbrella of United States Bowling Academy, you will find the following entities:

• USBA Flight Tournament Tour (Weekly regional youth tournaments)
• USBA Summer Camps (Instruction & Fun!)
• USBC Bronze & Silver Instructors (Private and group instruction
• Champions Pro Shop (Fit, ball layout & dynamic instruction)

Teri was named to the 2013 International Bowlers Journal Top 100 Coaches List. In 2015, Teri started college tours to bring youth bowlers to college campuses. 2016 brought on the addition of the Flight Tournament! This event has covered an eight-state region and continues to grow.

Teri is in her fifth year as a volunteer on the Minnesota State USBC Board of directors and also works in coordination with the Minnesota State Bowling Proprietors.

Teri’s mission statement:

The true definition of sport is individuals coming together for the intent purpose of entertainment. Nowhere in that statement does it say anything about winning or losing. Winning and/or losing will always happen in a random succession, no matter how hard we try. The one thing we can control is the networking we do and the family members we gather through our great sport! #Verylargebowlingfamily!