Empire State USBC Bowling Association
ESUSBC to Induct Four into Hall of Fame
Roth, Baker, Faliero, Moran to be Enshrined on April 10
Professional bowling greats Mark Roth and Tom Baker, amateur standout Mike Faliero and bowling industry leader Jack Moran will be inducted into the Empire State USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame in April, Mike Pettinella, president of the Empire State USBC Bowling Association, announced this week.
“The enshrinement of these fine gentlemen into the Hall of Fame definitely is the highlight of our inaugural year,” Pettinella said. “Speaking for the state association’s board of directors, we are thrilled to be able to present such a spectacular Class of 2010.”
The induction ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 10 at Antonio’s Banquet & Conference Center, 7708 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Niagara Falls, N.Y., (inside the Quality Inn). The event is being held in conjunction with the ESUSBCBA’s annual delegates meeting, which will take place earlier in the day.
Ticket information can be obtained by calling 315-623-7100 or sending an email to esusbcba@twcny.rr.com. Seating is limited so please reserve your tickets as soon as possible.
Roth, who lives in Fulton, and Baker, a Buffalo native now residing in King, N.C., are two of the biggest names in the history of the Professional Bowlers Association.
Originally from Brooklyn, Roth burst onto the PBA scene with a cranking, hard-throwing style, which set the stage for many of today’s players. He won PBA Player of the Year honors four times – 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1984, and led the Tour in average in six different seasons, including a then-record 221.699 in 1979.
Roth won a record eight titles in 1978 and seven more the next year. He finished his career with 34 Tour titles and $1.6 million in earnings. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1987, the USBC Hall of Fame in 2009 and was voted No. 5 on the list of the “PBA’s 50 Greatest Players of the Last 50 Years.”
Tragically, Roth, 58, suffered a stroke last June which has left him partially paralyzed on his left side.
Baker, 55, is still going strong on the PBA Senior Tour following a stellar 32-year career on the regular tour – a career that is marked by 10 titles, including the 2004 PBA World Championship. His best year came in 1981 when he captured three titles and broke the $100,000 mark in single-season earnings.
“Bakes” has dominated the PBA Senior Tour since joining in 2005, winning four Senior major titles and four Senior standard tournaments, while continuing to compete on the regular tour. Baker was named Senior Rookie of the Year and Senior Player of the Year in 2005, becoming the only senior player to earn both honors in a single season. He won Senior Player of the Year honors again in 2006 and 2007, an unprecedented streak in the history of the PBA Senior Tour.
He has earned $1.7 million as a professional bowler. Elected to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1999, Baker was voted No. 42 on the PBA top 50 list.
Faliero, a West Seneca resident, has an impressive resume of achievements at the collegiate and amateur tournament levels, including the championship of the International Eliminator in 2000 (where he won $100,000) and the Greater Buffalo USBC Masters tourney in 2007.
The former Erie Community College All-American also has several New York State title to his credit, including doubles (1984, 2004), team (2004) and Masters (1991). He has more than 25 perfect games and a dozen 900 series, and has won gold, silver and bronze medals in international competitions.
He was elected to the National Junior College sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Greater Buffalo USBC Hall of Fame in 2008. Currently, he is manager of Strikers Lanes in West Seneca.
Moran, well known as proprietor of Roseland Bowl in Canandaigua, has helped shape the course of organized bowling over the past 25 years, most notably as a high-ranking officer with the New York State and national Bowling Proprietors Association of America.
He was president of the NYS BPA from 1994-96, and president of BPAA national from 2002-04. He also has served as president of the New York State Bowling council, Finger Lakes BPA and Greater Rochester BPA. He has served on numerous BPAA committees at the national and state level.
A certified bowling coach, he has instructed students at Finger LakesCommunity College and Canandaigua Academy for many years.
His many honors include the NYSBPA Service Award, BPAA Certificate of Achievement, Canandaigua Rotarian of the Year, and NYS WBA and Rochester bowling Proprietor of the Year. He also was the recipient of the BPAA President’s Medal.
Roth, Baker, Faliero and Moran will join the other 119 individuals who will be grandfathered in from the former New York State Bowling Association Hall of Fame to the ESUSBCBA Hall of Fame.
Empire State USBC Masters Tournament
April 3rd, 2010
at Mancuso's Batavia NY
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Click Here to download a 2010 State Masters entry form.
Empire State USBC BA moving beyond just tournaments
By Mike Pettinella / Empire State USBC BA President
When people learn that I was elected to a three-year term as president of the Empire State United States Bowling Congress Bowling Association, they usually ask, “Now just what does a state bowling association do?”
It’s a legitimate question, one that I really couldn’t have answered completely (other than knowing that the state association runs a couple tournaments) at the time of the elections last May.
Over the past six months, however, I have discovered that there is much more to a state association than conducting tournaments.
The ESUSBCBA, formerly the New York State USBC BA, operates under the auspices of the United States Bowling Congress – the sport of bowling’s national governing body headquartered in Arlington, Texas.
Our state association gets its funding from dues paid by its members, bowlers who join a certified USBC league or pay to enter a certified USBC tournament. The state association receives $1 from each of its members. Last year there were approximately 82,000 members.
The ESUSBCBA is primarily an organization of adult men bowlers, although there are women members. The majority of sanctioned women bowlers belong to the New York State USBC Women’s Bowling Association while junior bowlers are certified through the New York State USBC Youth Association.
This is the current structure, but things could change within the next two or three years as all three groups are looking into the feasibility of merging into one organization to serve all certified bowlers in New York State. The ESUSBCBA has formed a merger/transition committee, and is planning to meet with representatives of the other associations in the near future.
While a merger may be down the road, the ESUSBCBA has plenty to deal with now.
Financially, the association had to start over again after the former association manager embezzled $274,000 from the NYSUSBCBA treasury. He’s in prison, but none of the money was recovered; it ended up in the slot machines and on the card tables at Turning Stone Casino in Verona.
So, our 25-member board took the USBC’s projection that we’d have around 80,000 members this season. Vice President Jim Maguire, who is manager of the Long Island USBC Association, crafted the working budget in his role as chairman of the ESUSBCBA finance committee. The state gets its money after the USBC receives dues from the local associations, such as the Genesee Region USBC.
We hired an association manager, Paul Kupelian, an energetic senior from Constantia (in Central New York), paying him about a third of the budgeted amount. We purchased a computer, printer and other office equipment, and set up a telephone number. We opened general and tournament accounts with HSBC, making sure at least two signatures are needed on all checks and signing up for Internet banking to be able to verify funds at any time.
We took out necessary insurance policies and paid to have this website built. We hope you like it. We think it’s a good one, featuring complete listings of local associations and bowling centers in New York, along with information about ESUSBCBA programs. Barry Vee of Rochester, one of our directors, is doing a fine job maintaining it for us.
Here are some of the programs that the ESUSBCBA directors (volunteers other than partial mileage and expense reimbursement) are currently working on:
-- Scholarship. Vice President Frank Wilkinson of Staten Island, bowling center proprietor and an industry leader at the young age of 22, heads a committee that awards $1,000 scholarships to a senior boy and girl. The winners from applications submitted to the former association will be announced next week. ESUSBCBA scholarship applications will be available on our website soon.
-- Hall of Fame. Director Fran Bax of Niagara Falls is the chair of our Hall of Fame committee. A ceremony is planned for the evening of April 10 in Niagara Falls. Earlier that day, the ESUSBCBA is holding its annual delegates meeting and elections (of directors whose terms expire at the end of this season). An announcement on Hall of Fame inductees will be made after the first of the year.
-- Coaching/Training. The state association has contacted Brian Dodds of Ontario (NY), USA Bowling Silver Level Coach, with the idea of working with the NYS Bowling Proprietors Association to set up a network of coaching/instructional clinics, and publishing related articles on the website.
-- Tournaments. And, of course, tournaments are in the works. A State Masters is tentatively scheduled for April 3rd, 2009 at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, New York – and the State Championship Tournament is set for Niagara Falls over five weekends – April 10-May 16 (except for Mother’s Day weekend). Entry blanks can be downloaded from this website.
ESUSBCBA Awards Scholarships to Student-Athletes
The Empire State United States Bowling Congress Bowling Association (ESUSBCBA) has awarded two $1,000 scholarships for the 2008-09 season.
 Nicholas DiLauro of Farmingdale and Korrie Lynne Mack of Deerfield, who graduated with high honors in 2009 from Farmingdale (L.I.) and Whitesboro High School, respectively, were recognized by the state association for their scholastic and bowling achievements.
Click Here to read full article.
New items added to the Mark Roth Live Online Auction
Autographed jerseys, balls, and photos have just been added by recently crowned PBA title holder Bill O'Neill, legends like Tom Baker, Ryan Shafer, Norm Duke as well as Ryan Cimenelli and Jason Belmonte and many more. Check it out today, auction ends on December 6th!
Son Pays Tribute to Hall of Fame Dad
The late Terry Touranjoe was inducted into the Syracuse USBC BA Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Drumlin’s Restaurant. Following is a speech written by his son, Michael, and presented at the Hall of Fame ceremony by his wife, Arlene. We at the Empire State USBC BA are happy to share this with our members – and hope you are moved by reading it, just as we were when we were privileged to hear it. Terry was inducted along with Sam Ventura, James Stark and the late Richard Gilbo.
Click Here to read full article.
Bowlers Rally To Support Mark Roth
by Michael Pettinella
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being part of the bowling scene for more than four decades, it’s that bowlers are a generous lot. When it comes to charitable causes, the bowling community has made a noticeable impact over the years.
Through  an organization known as The Bowling Foundation, bowlers have supported various causes at the national level, most notably Bowl for the Cure®, Bowl for Veterans (BVL), Bowl for Kids Sake, The Bowler’s Ed In-School Program, International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame, Special Olympics and the Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Locally, bowling has proven to be an excellent way to raise funds for those in need; from nonprofits such as Crossroads House and MDA to high school groups to volunteer fire departments to memorial funds set up in the names of stricken or deceased friends and family members.
Earlier this year, The Bowling Foundation established the Mark Roth Support Fund – a vehicle by which bowlers like you and me can send a contribution to go directly to the PBA legend’s mounting medical bills stemming from a stroke he suffered in June.
The 58-year-old Roth, formerly of Staten Island and now living in Fulton , is one of the greatest bowlers of all time. The original “cranker”, the powerful right-hander amassed 34 titles on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour – including a record eight in 1978 and seven in 1979.
He’s a four-time PBA Player of the Year (1977-1979, 1984), having led the Tour in average six times. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1987, and then went on to post two victories on the PBA Senior Tour and a title on the Generations Bowling Tour.
Roth, along with Anthony, Marshall Holman and Johnny Petraglia, helped make the PBA Tour one of the most popular and successful television sports shows ever in the 1970s and ‘80s. Anyone with even a casual interest in bowling tuned in to watch the pros on ABC-TV, and take in the commentary of Chris Schenkel, Billy Welu and Nelson Burton Jr.
Bowlers and bowling fans throughout the nation have come to Roth’s aid, according to a letter to the bowling community from Mark’s wife, Denise. Along with monetary donations, PBA members have donated autographed shirts, bowling balls and photos for auctions in Roth’s behalf, and bowling center proprietors are scheduling tournaments to raise additional money.
The stroke has left Roth unable to walk very far on his own, let alone bowl. He also has limited use of his left ankle, arm and hand. His wife writes that he is working hard at rehabilitation, which he will need for the rest of his life.
To make a tax-deductible donation or to learn more about the Mark Roth Support Fund, log on to www.bowlingfoundation.org or write to The Bowling Foundation, 621 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, Texas, 76011 .
For information about an online auction to benefit Mark, please visit: http://charlestonbowling.com/markrothauction.htm .
Accepting nominations for the ESUSBC BA Hall of Fame
The Empire State USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame is now accepting nominati ons. It is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an ESUSBCBA member. The nominee will have been a member or associated with the Empire State USBC Bowling Association and the former New York State Bowling Association for at least fifteen (15) years.
The nominee will have demonstrated outstanding ability and achievement, extraordinary service, devotion, ideas and ideals well above and beyond the norm over the years. The nominee will have contributed significantly to the New York state bowling community and its culture.
Click Here for an application.
Future Success of USBC Hinges Upon Emphasis of Bowling as a Sport
We all know that USBC membership has declined significantly over the years. What once was a society of 9 million men, women and youth now lists slightly more than 2 million members.
In our great state of New York, there are approximately 85,000 adult male members of the Empire State USBC Bowling Association, 40,000 in the New York State USBC Women’s Bowling Association and about 30,000 in the NYS USBC Youth Association – not overwhelming numbers when you consider the state’s population.
With that being said, what is the USBC doing to attract new members?
According to Mark Miller of the USBC Communications Department, the No. 1 priority is “growing the sport of bowling,” with the emphasis on the word “sport”. “
A recent survey showed that only 22 percent of Americans believed bowling to be a sport,” Miller said. “Most of the rest think bowling is something to do with friends on a Friday night or at Saturday birthday parties.
“We want to change that perception so that people think of bowling first as a sport and then as recreation. We want to emphasize that people who choose to belong to USBC are in it because they are competitive people who want to do their best while having fun, too.”
What this means is that the USBC is attempting to market an intangible, something more in line with good feelings rather than material benefits. And that’s not an easy sell.
“We want people to join because they believe in what we do, not in just what they get,” Miller said. “USBC memberships go to three major areas: benefits you can hold in your hand, benefits you can't hold in your hand and benefits that are for the good of the sport.”
- Benefits you can hold in your hand include the US Bowler magazine, a membership card that is valid nationwide and recognition such as rings, magnets or printable certificates.
- Benefits you can't hold in your hand include the redesigned (and work in progress) BOWL.com, protection of league funds and standardized rules and equipment testing.
- Benefits for the good of the sport allow USBC to uphold the credibility of the game and preserve bowling's future. USBC membership is an investment in the sport which helps preserve it for future generations.
The third bullet point, touching on credibility and investment in the sport, is enough reason for all league bowlers to look beyond themselves and pay the minimal registration fee to become USBC members.
Although a maximum of $21 annually can be charged to join the USBC, most local associations charge around $15-$18. That’s not a lot of money when you consider the registration fees charged by most other amateur adult and youth athletic organizations.
Miller said that $10 goes to USBC at the national level, up to $10 goes to the local association and up to $1 goes to the state association.
A portion of the $10 national dues covers administrative salaries, and the remainder is used to promote the sport through youth, high school, collegiate, coaching, PBA Experience/Sport Bowling and Team USA programs.
“Some goes to sponsor the professionals – our most visible members; some goes to test equipment, and some goes to administer bowling's charitable efforts through the Bowling Foundation,” Miller said.
In recent years, the USBC has been able to forge marketing relationships with hundreds of major businesses – car rental agencies, hotels, insurance agencies, retailers, pro shops, restaurants and cellular phone companies -- to provide discounts to its membership.
Some league bowlers balk at the cost of joining the USBC, but they can recoup that initial outlay by taking advantage of a USBC Member Rewards Program that offers exclusive savings to its members.
Just log onto bowl.com and check out PerkSpot to see the long list of providers that offer discounts to USBC members that are better than what is available to the general public.
Clearly the USBC is taking positive steps to achieve success in the three strategic areas that Miller mentioned previously in this column – benefits you can hold in your hand, benefits you can’t hold in your hand and benefits for the good of the sport.
“The main thing USBC does to enhance leagues is provide materials to ensure they run smoothly while providing for fair, competitive play with standardized rules and regulations, including bonding protection to safeguard league funds,” Miller said.
These materials include league schedules and a place on BOWL.com for leagues to review their standings, and a wide variety of awards for achievements on the lanes.
At the end of the day, however, it’s up to the bowling centers, league directors and the bowlers themselves to maximize their league bowling experience. Without USBC certification, I don’t think that’s possible.
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