My name is Lucas Mitchell and I am Mitchman Bowling!

I was a Lyon County, Kansas kid who lives in Lawrence, Kansas now. I have pretty much done two things in my life: bowling and bluegrass. Though I still play a handful of gigs every year, I mostly focus on the bowling side of my life these days.

It was at a bluegrass festival back in 2007 that I met the love of my life Kahlen, also a bluegrass musician, who became my beautiful bride in 2011. We have the sweetest Golden Retriever Beau and love to do all things outside.

I have been working full time in the bowling industry for 25 years now.

Though Mitchman Bowling was started by two great friends back in the early 2010s, my journey in this great industry began way before that.

I grew up at Flint Hills Lanes in Emporia, KS working on A2s with a Century pad machine.

In 1998, I moved to work at the brand new Incred-A-Bowl in Overland Park, Kansas, opened by ex-MLB pitcher Danny Jackson. It was there that I met the great Fred Werner. Under Fred, I learned the GS-98s and Framworx scoring and got to work in one of Americas first big FEC’s that would change the face of bowling for years to come. Additionally, it was my first chance to work on Kegel lane machines.

It was also there that I got to work the great live ESPN telecasts of the PBA tour during the World Tournament of Champions hosted there in those years. Nothing like being on live TV to keep you on point!

It was during that time at Incred-A-Bowl that I learned from Fred the service and consulting side of the industry. On one of those side jobs I met Bob Rouse, who along with Bob Schmit, were building a ground-up FEC that would become Aaron’s Family Fun Center in Belton, Missouri. I left Incred-A-Bowl for my first head mechanic job and my chance to get on the brand new GS-Xs at the time. During my nine years there, we upgraded throughout the Kegel line of lane machines and into Vector scoring from Framworx. I also learned so much more about being a facilities technician during over just being a head mechanic.

Ready for a change of pace from Missouri, I left Aaron’s to start a wonderful five year period in the great state of Nebraska at an amazing 90,000 square foot FEC. I learned SO MUCH about the industry as a whole from my time there and so much of those years have shown on my other stops along the way. During that time, I continued honing my skills on the GSXs and Vector scoring along with Kegel lane machines. It was during this time that I also really honed my skills on as the entire facility’s technician, including the hot and cold kitchen repair side of things.

Leaving Nebraska after five years was the first start of Mitchman Bowling with a great partner. We had a successful year that led us to doing a project for the Pinstripes Company, based out of Chicago. It was on that project that I was offered the Facilities Director for the company. I left Mitchman Bowling and moved to Chicago for nine years on an expansive journey with the Pinstripes Company. During that time, I oversaw all aspects of the Facility Department for all 13 locations of the company across the United States. I managed over 200 GS machines from 92s - Xs, the upgrade from Vector to Sync, multiple models of Brunswick lane machines, all building inspections, HVAC, elevators, roofs, all kitchen maintenance and repair for the full service on both hot and cold sides of the kitchens, cleaning crews, upgrades and remodels, parts ordering and inventory, employment and support of each maintenance team, all at every existing location within the company. In addition to these daily tasks, I oversaw the final buildout of seven new locations across the country, traveling and spending many weeks and months at each while also juggling my regular work load. It was quite the adventure!

Nine years of hard work at Pinstripes that I will be proud of the rest of my life lead me back to wanting a slower-paced life and working for myself again. This lead to the reforming of Mitchman Bowling and where I am today. Serving all your bowling needs across the US and beyond!