The "40 Boards" Bowling Club is  a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding graduating seniors in their post-high school education through the Van Spruill Sr. Scholarship Fund.

The "40 Boards" Bowling Club was an idea that started in June 2004 when Kendall Richardson, Benjamin Bellamy, Sheryl Ravenell and Loretta Bellamy were returning from a bowling tournament in New York.   The conversation was reminiscent of the good old days of Sunday morning practice with their mentor, the late Van Spruill Sr.

Van Spruill Sr., affectionately known as "Pop", gathered club members and others together every Sunday morning. "Pop" would always have some words of wisdom to pass along as well as tell crazy jokes.   Bowling and laughing would start early in the morning and continue for hours and hours. A special family unit was formed and life-long friendships were created.

"Pop" was well know through the New Haven, CT school system and community where he served as mentor, referee, security guard and serrogate father to many students at James Hillhouse and Wilbur Cross High Schools. Tragically, we lost "Pop" in 2003 and in honor of  his memory a scholarship fund was established.   It's our way of saying thanks to "Pop" by giving back to others what he gave to us---HIS TIME!!!!