BPAA TO HONOR PAT CINIELLO WITH VICTOR LERNER MEMORIAL MEDAL

Long-time bowling executive to be inducted into BPAA Hall of Fame

ARLINGTON, Texas - (January 21, 2011) - The Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) announced the recipients of the 2011 Bowling Industry Service Awards, the most prestigious awards presented by the bowling industry, at its recent Town Hall Membership Meeting held at the Red Rock Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada Friday, January 21, 2011.

Pat Ciniello (Bowling Management Associates, Inc., Bonita Springs, Fla.) has been selected as the 2011 BPAA Hall of Fame Inductee and recipient of the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal. The Lerner Medal is the highest honor in the bowling business and is awarded for a lifetime of service to the bowling industry and represents the recipient's induction into BPAA's Hall of Fame located at the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum in Arlington, Texas.

Mr. Ciniello is cited for his many years of bowling center management in his Bowland chain of centers in Florida, service to the BPAA and BPAA programs, events and tournaments as well as the bowling industry on local, state and national levels. His industry contributions include many years of service to the Multi Unit Bowling Information Group (MUBIG) and the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame (IBMHOF), especially during the IBMHOF’s relocation and rebuilding at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas.

Mark Voight (Community Bowling Centers, Livonia, Mich.) will be recognized with the President’s Medal for his many contributions and years of service to the BPAA and helping steer Michigan through a challenging time, ensuring Michigan centers remained in BPAA membership. The President’s Medal is given to an individual (proprietor – manager) judged to have given exceptional support and/or made significant contributions to the association in the eyes of the current BPAA president and the Awards Committee.

Bob Gudorf (Classic Products, Ft. Wayne, Ind.) will receive the coveted V. A. Wapensky Award, named after BPAA's long-time chief executive officer, "Chief" Wapensky. Mr. Gudorf is being recognized for more than 50 years in the bowling industry and his strong support of BPAA events over the years as well as his support/service to the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.

Parker Bohn III (Jackson, N.J.) is being recognized with the Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award, named after the legendary bowling icon, recognizing his many contributions to the game and sport of bowling both on and off the lanes.

ESPN radio’s, sports-talk radio program Mike & Mike In The Morning, will receive the 2011 Media Award for their coverage and support of the 2010 NFL Charities bowling event during Super Bowl week in South Florida. The show airs nationally on ESPN radio weekday mornings and is simulcast on ESPN2. Hosts Mike Greenberg, a former sports writer and former NFL player Mike Golic have been great supporters of bowling and bowling events during their decade on the air and continue to present the sport in a positive image.

“This is an outstanding and well-deserving group of 2011 award recipients," said John Snyder, BPAA president. "Each of these distinguished recipients are and have been true models of leadership, service and dedication and we congratulate all of them on their accomplishments and contributions to BPAA and the bowling industry."

The Bowling Industry Service Awards will be presented during International Bowl Expo 2011 on Monday, June 27 (Wednesday morning, June 29, for the Lerner Memorial Medal presentation) at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas.

Other awards announced and presented at BPAA’s Bowling Summit Town Hall meeting included the Best of BPAA State Association Awards, recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of BPAA’s affiliated state bowling proprietors and center associations for their achievements in various areas of association management, member communications, membership and special programs or projects.

Best Member Program, New Member Recruitment: Texas BCA.
Best Charitable Project: Northern California BPA for their canned food drive.
Best Community Project: Illinois State BPA for the 50th Anniversary “Beat The Champs” contest organized and presented by Chicagoland BPA and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Best Bowling Promotion: Bowling Centers of Southern California for their major sports “Jersey Promotion” to enhance centers’ league participation.

About the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America
Founded in 1932 and headquartered in Arlington, Texas, BPAA represents the business interests of bowling center owners worldwide. BPAA is the voice of the bowling industry; its mission is to enhance the profitability of its member centers and to be an essential resource to bowling centers and to lead a united, growing, more prosperous and highly regarded bowling industry.

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