Buzz Profile

Diandra Asbaty

Name: Diandra (Hyman) Asbaty

Hometown:  Chicago

Occupation:  Bowler/bowling ambassador/coach/amateur staff representative for Brunswick and Turbo 2-N-1 Grips; Member of United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors

Birthdate:  August 2, 1980

College: Attended University of Nebraska

Other Info: Right-handed, started bowling at age 5

There are moments in life that stick with us for our entire lives. For Diandra Asbaty, the year 2003 was one big moment wrapped into 12 short months.

It started with the former University of Nebraska star taking on a new challenge: coaching the Nebraska men’s team. The USA Bowling Bronze level coach and her players bonded well and their hard work came to fruition in April, when the Huskers finished third at the Intercollegiate Bowling Championships in Tulsa, Okla.

Five months later, Asbaty (pronounced As-bay-tee) switched from coach to player for the FIQ World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Asbaty highlighted the best United States global showing in 16 years by winning four medals – one gold, two silvers and one bronze. The right-hander helped the U.S. win nine medals, most of any country that year and its best since earning 11 in 1987. She broke the women’s – and men’s – six-game World Championships record with 1,496 (a 249.3 average) and broke the women’s three-game Worlds mark with 778.

While Asbaty shined in Malaysia, great bowling performances are nothing new for the Dyer, Ind., native, who already has amassed one of the most impressive national and international bowling resumes around.

Although the bowling achievements were important, the most significant 2003 event for Asbaty was getting married. John Asbaty, a friend of Diandra’s older sister and former Team USA member Kassy Golden, was introduced to Diandra through collegiate bowling. John was a bowler at William Paterson University in New Jersey when he met Diandra, then at Nebraska, at a collegiate tournament in Indianapolis. Eventually they started dating and John transferred to Nebraska so they could be together.

John, who graduated from Nebraska in 2002 with a culinary degree, now is a chef at Trio, a trendy Evanston, Ill., restaurant. Diandra graduated from Nebraska with a degree in advertising.

When? You guessed it ... in 2003.

Bowling Accomplishments

• 1998 – WIBC Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow; USA Bowling National Amateur Championships – seventh.
• 1999 – U.S. Amateur champion; Team USA member; IBC national champions (Nebraska)
• 2000 – Team USA member; USA Bowling National Amateur Championships – seventh; First-team Collegiate All-American; Mid-America Bowling Writers Bowler of the Year; National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Bowler of the Year; Bowlers Journal International Amateur Bowler of the Year
• 2001 – Team USA member; Junior Team USA member; Tournament of the Americas – four gold medals and one silver medal; USA Bowling National Amateur Championships – fifth; IBC national champions (Nebraska); First-team Collegiate All-American; Mid-America Bowling Writers Bowler of the Year
• 2002 – Team USA member; Junior Team USA member; Tournament of the Americas – four gold medals and one bronze medal; British Open – fourth; USA Bowling National Amateur Championships – seventh; University of Nebraska Student-Athlete of the Year; Mid-America Bowling Writers Bowler of the Year
• 2003 – Team USA member; FIQ World Championships – one gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze medal; FIQ World Tenpin Team Cup – bronze medal; USA Bowling National Amateur Championships – eighth.
• 2004 – Team USA member; USA Bowling National Amateur Championships – 10th; World Ranking Masters – first; Named to USBC Board of Directors.

Ten Frames with Diandra Asbaty

What is your most memorable moment on the lanes?
“By far the most memorable moment on the lanes was when I threw a strike in the 10th to win the FIQ World Championships in Malaysia last September. There has been no better feeling than receiving the gold medal for my country at such a prestigious event with my teammates and family cheering me on.”

What did participating in college bowling do for you?
“It made me grow as a person. I learned a lot about myself from college bowling. From time management skills to dealing with many different personalities on one team. Not only did I learn a lot about myself, I learned a heckuva lot about bowling from who I believe are two of the best coaches in the world – Bill Straub and Paul Klempa.”

Who has been the most influential person in your bowling career?
“My Grandma Betty. She got me started bowling when I was 5. She's my rock ... I don’t know anyone stronger than her. She lifts me when I'm down and makes me realize what's really important in life. She is incredibly amazing.”

Who is your favorite bowler?
“Tim Mack. He’s confident, he’s personable, he’s driven and he’s one of the best in the world ... and still very grounded.”

Name one thing about you most people don’t know.
“I’m incredibly sarcastic.”

Name four people (alive or dead) you would like to have dinner with at the same time?
“1. My Grandpa Erv I never got to meet. 2. Norman Vincent Peale, the author of ‘The Power of Positive Thinking.’ 3. Dalai Lama. 4. Ross from “Friends.” Not David Schwimmer (who played Ross). Ross.”

What is your favorite place in the world you've visited?
“United Arab Emirates. It’s a paradise no one knows about. Everything is made of marble and gold. It’s where the FIQ World Championships were in 1999. They built the bowling center for the tournament and the Prince of Abu Dhabi opened the tournament. Crazy, huh?”

What's in your CD player right now?
“John Mayer. His lyrics are amazing.”

What is one thing (or three things) you would be lost without?
“My family, lip gloss and chocolate.”

What was your favorite class at Nebraska?
“Emerging Leaders and Philosophy.”  

Roll-off: What words of advice do you have for collegiate bowlers?
“Take it seriously and use it as a stepping stone. Realize you will never have that kind of bond with another team. Feel everything. Change often and take risks.”