Bowling Industry Service Awards Criteria and Past Recipients

 Victor Lerner Memorial Medal  – Presented to a proprietor for a lifetime of selfless service to the industry; Highest honor in the bowling industry and represents induction into The BPAA Hall of Fame located in Arlington, Texas.  Named after BPAA Past President Victor Lerner.  BPAA Board approval required.

 President’s Medal  – Presented to an individual (proprietor – manager) judged to have given exceptional support and/or made significant contributions to the association.

 V. A. Wapensky Award  – Presented to an individual who has made a major contribution to the advancement of the bowling industry.  Named after long-time BPAA Executive Director V. A. ‘Chief’ Wapensky.

2001 Ruben A. Dankoff
2002 Dick Tanner
2003 Charlie Hall
PA BPA: Norm Brumberg, Doug Eiserman, Terry Brenneman and Al Blough

2004 Bob Herbolsheimer
2005 Jerry Ray
2006 Ron Richard
2007 Rex Golobic
2008 Kenn Rockler
2009 New York State BPA
2010 Bob Stubler

 Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award

This award is named in memory of hall of fame professional bowler Dick Weber, bowling’s global ambassador, who spent a lifetime setting the standard for all bowling athletes by elevating the positive image of bowling and promoting the game and sport of bowling to all ages both on and off the lanes.  This award will be presented by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America to a bowling athlete, male or female, who has consistently shown grace on and off the bowling lanes by promoting the game and sport of bowling in a positive manner.
Past Recipients

2005 Dick Weber
2006 Dick Ritger
2007 Helen Duval
2008 Carmen Salvino
2009 Mike Aulby
2010 Johnny Petraglia

 Special Projects

Presented to an individual (or individuals) recognizing their efforts and contribution on a particular special BPAA and/or bowling project.

Past Recipients

1995    Jim Patrick
1996    Hank Totzke
1997    Ed Zitnik, Mike Hennessy
1998    Ruth Macklin, Brett Dankoff, David Spiegel, Larry Moyes
1999    Chuck Seiberling, Ron Tomassoni
2000    Jeff Bojé, Alan Douglas, Rick Bourgeois
2001    Peppe Smith, Bill Scheid, Bob Reid
2002    Bob Jarlenski
2003    Dave Haness
2004    Don Labrecque, Roger Wiemer
2005    Luby Publishing
2006    Greg Olsen, Scott Bennett
2007    C. J. Fox
2008    Wally Hall
2009    Hank Harris
2010    Dan Labrecque

 BPAA Media Award

The BPAA Media Award will be presented to a national and/or local, non-bowling industry media representative who, through either print or electronic media, made significant contributions to furthering the sport and business of bowling.

Past Recipients

2003 Rick Press, Fort Worth (TX) Star Telegram
2004 Bud Fisher
2005 Ellen DeGeneres
2006 ESPN
2007 Good Morning America
208 Matt Fiorito, Detroit Free Press
2009 Kent Lowe – Baton Rouge Advocate
2010 No Recipient