PIN-MASTERS: BPAA CELEBRATES BOWLING INDUSTRY LEADERS AT 2010 INTERNATIONAL BOWL EXPO

Seven Bowling Industry Luminaries Honored for Their Significant Contributions in Helping to Fuel the Tremendous Growth of Bowling

LAS VEGAS, June 29, 2010 – The bowling industry kicked off the festivities at the 2010 International Bowl Expo by taking a moment to honor seven individuals who contributed significantly to the tremendous growth of the industry and the surging popularity of the sport.  The Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA), the industry’s premier trade organization, issued a series of industry awards celebrating individuals whose leadership helped deliver a historic year for the bowling industry. 

In 2010, bowling celebrated its fourth consecutive year of growth, maintaining its status as the nation’s number one participatory sport.  Additionally, January of 2010 marked the grand opening of the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, an unprecedented event in sports history that united the bowling industry under a single roof for the first time in the 5,000 year history of the sport.

"This has been a banner year for the industry and it’s only appropriate that we take time to honor these great individuals who help pave the way for bowling’s continued growth and success.  The achievements of these seven industry leaders have helped fuel the continued resurgence of our great sport, driving nearly 70 million individuals into bowling centers in the past year alone," said Steve Johnson, executive director of BPAA.  "The theme of this year’s expo is ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ and I firmly believe that we have only scratched the surface of what bowling is capable of.  Our award recipients embody the spirit and passion that will help bowling continue to thrive well into the future."

The premier annual event in the bowling industry, the International Bowl Expo kicked off on Monday at the Las Vegas Hilton and Las Vegas Convention Center, garnering an attendance of more than 7,000 individuals from all corners of the world. This year’s industry award winners include:

·        Victor Lerner Memorial Medal and BPAA Hall of Fame -- Ted Hoffman Jr., Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl (Dublin, California)

o       Presented to a proprietor for a lifetime of selfless service to the industry, this the highest honor in the bowling industry and represents induction into the BPAA Hall of Fame located in Arlington, Texas.  The award is named after BPAA past President Victor Lerner

·        President’s Medal -- Tom Martino, Majestic Lanes (Hopelawn, New Jersey)

o       Presented to an individual judged to have given exceptional support and/or made significant contributions to the BPAA and the industry

·        V.A. Wapensky Award -- Roger Dalkin (Greendale, Wisconsin)

o       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

·        Special Projects Award -- Dan Labrecque, Nottke’s Bowl (Battle Creek, Michigan)

o       Presented to an individual recognizing his efforts and contributions to the industry

·        Ruben A. Dankoff Award for Public Policy and Legislative Service -- Bob Stubler, Illinois Valley Super Bowl (Peru, Illinois)

o       Presented to a proprietor or bowling industry leader who provides outstanding voluntary service on the federal, state or local governmental levels in the development of legislation and public policy initiatives

·        Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award -- Johnny Petraglia (Jackson, New Jersey)

o       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 to all ages both on and off the lanes

·        Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame -- John Jowdy (El Cajon, California)

o       Presented to an individual recognizing superior coaching contributions to the sport

About BPAA

Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, the 78-year-old Bowling Proprietors' Association of America is a trade association representing the business interests of bowling center owners worldwide.  BPAA’s mission is to enhance the profitability of its member bowling centers.