Duke also elected to ABC shrine; nobody selected from non-professional ballot

Pete Weber of St. Ann, Mo., and Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla., have been elected to the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame for superior performance, ABC Hall of Fame Executive Director Steve James announced today.

Weber, the son of ABC and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Dick Weber, received 110 of 130 votes cast by ABC's Hall of Fame panel while Duke received 103 votes. Both easily surpassed the 70 percent majority required for election.

Weber, a 39-year-old right-hander, is one of three bowlers who have earned $2 million during their professional careers (Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Mike Aulby are the others). He won his 26th and 27th PBA titles earlier in 2001 to move past his father's total of 26 career titles. Pete Weber is now tied for fourth place on the all-time PBA titles list with Aulby and Parker Bohn III. Only the late Earl Anthony (41), Mark Roth (34) and Williams (34) have won more.

Weber, a 10-time member of the Bowling Magazine All-America team, has finished runner-up in the ABC Masters twice (1983 and 2000) and has finished among the top 24 in the double-elimination match play event eight times.

He is the youngest player ever to complete the PBA's "Triple Crown" (U.S. Open, PBA National Championship and PBA Tournament of Champions). He also is one of two people to bowl a 300 game in his first game as an ABC member, a feat he accomplished at age 15 in St. Louis in 1978.

Pete Weber joins his father as only the second father-and-son team elected to the ABC Hall of Fame in the performance category. The late Nelson Burton Sr. (1964) and Nelson Burton Jr. (1981), also from St. Louis, were the first father-son tandem inducted. Dick Weber was inducted in 1970.

Duke, another PBA superstar, is a 19-time PBA champion, a six-time Bowling Magazine All-American and two-time Bowling Writers Association of America Bowler of the Year (1994 and 2000). A member of the PBA career "Millionaire Club," Duke has three "major" titles including the 1993 ABC Masters, 1994 Tournament of Champions and 2000 PBA National Championship. In 1983, he became the youngest player in history to win a PBA title when he won the Cleveland Open at age 18.

Weber and Duke will be inducted into the ABC Hall of Fame during ceremonies on the ABC Tournament lanes at the MetraPark Convention Center in Billings, Mont., March 14. They will be joined by: Fred Borden of Akron, Ohio (meritorious service); Max Skelton, Stonewall, Okla. (meritorious service), and Mark Jensen, Wichita, Kan. (veterans).

None of the candidates on the nonpro ballot received a 70 percent majority of the 125 ballots cast.

Other candidates on the regular ballot, with votes received, were: John Handegard, Nacogdoches, Texas (42); Gene Stus, Allen Park, Mich. (41); Butch Soper, Lake Havasu City, Ariz. (23); Mickey Higham, Battle Creek, Mich. (9); John Hricsina, Franklin Park, Pa. (8); Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Township, Mich. (4); and Pete McCordic, Katy, Texas (2).

Nonpro candidates were: Mark Lewis, Wichita, Kan. (65); Gordon Vadakin, Wichita (52); Ron Pollard, Versailles, Ind. (40), and his brother Rick Pollard, Versailles (24); John Eiss, Orono, Minn. (18); Butch Luther, Racine, Wis. (15); Dave Callery, Cincinnati, Ohio (14); and Mitch Jabczenski, Novi, Mich. (12).

The ABC Hall of Fame, founded in 1941, is the third-oldest sports hall of fame in the United States after baseball (1936) and golf (1940). It is permanently housed in the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in St. Louis.

2002 WIBC Championship Tournament entry closing date extended to Feb. 15

The Women's International Bowling Congress has announced that the 2002 WIBC Championship Tournament entry closing date has been extended to Feb. 15.

WIBC decided to extend the entry closing date to allow bowlers more time to gather teams and send in reservation forms for the tournament in Milwaukee. The deadline has been extended from Jan. 25.

"With the holidays upon us, bowlers will have additional time to make some decisions and enter the tournament," said WIBC Executive Director Roseann Kuhn. "I sincerely hope bowlers take advantage of this extra time, get their teams together and travel to Milwaukee, the home of WIBC. It's going to be a great tournament."

The 83rd WIBC Championship Tournament takes place April 13-June 10 (unless extended). More than 42,000 women bowlers are expected to take part in the tournament, which is the largest sporting event in the world for women.

Reservations are accepted through the tournament phone line at (414) 423-9006, via fax at (414) 421-9789, online at WIBCtournament.com or regular mail sent to WIBC Championship Tournament, Box 78870, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0870. Phone reservations take precedence over e-mail, fax or mail reservations.

PWBA star Kim Terrell named women's collegiate bowling spokesperson

College Bowling USA has announced an agreement with Professional Women's Bowling Association star Kim Terrell to serve as the spokesperson for women's collegiate bowling. Terrell, a 13-year veteran on the PWBA tour, was a collegiate All-American at San Jose State before beginning her pro career.

She added to her list of accomplishments by winning the 2001 Women's U.S. Open Dec. 9 in Laughlin, Nev. Terrell took home a first place check of $55,000 - the largest in a women's professional bowling event.

"College Bowling USA is extremely pleased to have Kim Terrell serving as the Women's Collegiate Bowling Spokesperson," CBUSA Director of Collegiate Bowling Brian Graham said. "Kim is a true professional both on and off the lanes. With her experience as an eight-time PWBA title holder and past collegiate bowler, Kim has the perfect background for speaking about women's collegiate bowling opportunities."

As part of the agreement, Terrell will make appearances and speak at a variety of conferences, conventions, institutions and tournaments on behalf of College Bowling USA. In addition, she will become familiar with and speak on behalf of bowling's efforts to achieve National Collegiate Athletic Association championship sport status for women's collegiate bowling.

Terrell, Daly City, Calif., is a three-time Robby Professionalism Award winner. She was named the 1989 PWBA Rookie of the Year, is a two-time Bowlers Journal All-America selection and was a member of TEAM USA in 1987 and 1988.

Indiana State women, Western Illinois men top inaugural NCBCA poll

The results of the inaugural National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association top 20 polls feature the women's squad of Indiana State University and the men's team of Western Illinois University sitting atop the polls. Results are based on voting by collegiate bowling coaches from across the country. This is the first of five polls that will be released by the NCBCA during the 2001-02 season.

Indiana State has three first-place and two second-place finishes in five events so far this season. ISU received eight first-place votes and 654 total points to edge second-ranked Morehead State for the top spot. The Lady Sycamores earned top honors at the Midwest Collegiate Tournament, the tier 1 Brunswick Great Lakes Tournament and the Sycamore Classic, while placing second at the tier 1 Brunswick Southern Classic and the Brickyard Classic.

Morehead State garnered five first-place votes and 628 total points. The Lady Eagles have earned victories at the tier 1 Brunswick Southern Classic, the Brickyard Classic and the Kent State Invitational.

Arizona State is ranked third with two first-place votes and 568 total points. Central Missouri State sits in the No. 4 slot with 476 points and defending collegiate champion Nebraska is ranked fifth with four first-place votes and 444 total points

On the men's side, defending collegiate champion Western Illinois edged out Saginaw Valley State for the top spot. The Leathernecks received six first-place votes and accumulated 568 total points to Saginaw's seven first-place votes and 560 points. WIU has picked up victories at the tier 1 Brunswick Great Lakes Tournament and the Brickyard Classic. WIU also has finished third at the Sycamore Classic, fourth at the Kent State Invitational and fifth at the Midwest Championships.

Saginaw Valley State has wins at the Sycamore Classic and the Kent State Invitational. Its season also includes a second-place finish at the Brickyard Classic, placing third at the Brunswick Great Lakes Tournament and finishing fourth at the Midwest Championships and the Nittany Lion Kegler Classic.

St. John's sits third in the poll with four first-place votes and 532 total points. The Red Storm have wins at the tier 1 Brunswick Southern Classic, the Blue Hen Open and the Nittany Lion Kegler Classic. They also finished second at the Keystone Quaker Classic. Arizona State and West Texas A&M round out the top five with 476 points and 320 points, respectively.

The next NCBCA polls are scheduled to be released Jan. 4. The NCBCA was established in 1982 to provide a voice for its member coaches and to facilitate an exchange of information and ideas concerning the sport of collegiate bowling. In addition to the Coaches Poll, the NCBCA also selects the annual All-America squads, hosts the annual Coaches Summit and awards Coach of the Year honors.

For complete poll results, please visit the college bowling section of bowl.com.

Tulsa selected as host city of 2003 Intercollegiate Bowling Championships

College Bowling USA has announced that Tulsa, Okla., has been selected to host the 2003 Intercollegiate Bowling Championships. This is the second time in the IBC's 28-year history that the tournament will be held in the state of Oklahoma. The 1976 event was held at Myriad Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

The 2003 event is tentatively scheduled for April 17-21, 2003, at the 80-lane Riverlanes Bowling Center.

"Tulsa is delighted to be selected to host the Intercollegiate Bowling Championships," Tulsa CVB Representative Connie Otis said. "This makes the third national bowling tournament for Tulsa. What a statement about our bowling centers and the people who run them. We will do everything we can to ensure that those who come to our city will have a great time."

Tulsa has been the home of other national bowling championships, including the 1970 Women's International Bowling Congress Championship Tournament and the 1985 and 1993 American Bowling Congress Championships Tournament. It also will host the 2005 WIBC Tournament.

Tulsa, located in the northeast corner of Oklahoma, was once known as the "Oil Capital of the World" due to the extensive oil drilling in the early 20th century. Tulsa is now home to more than 300 aviation-related companies including American Airlines.

Tulsa has recently hosted the Western Athletic Conference college basketball tournament, and events of the Professional Golfers Association Tour, USA Track & Field, USA Gymnastics and the National Field Archery Association. Minor league baseball's Tulsa Drillers, the Tulsa Talons arena football team, Oral Roberts University, the University of Tulsa and the Hallett Motor Racing Circuit also call Tulsa home.

The IBC is the climax of the college bowling season, as the top 16 men's and top 16 women's teams square off in a double-elimination, Baker-style format to determine who will be crowned national champions. Teams are selected to participate in the IBC based on season records and qualifying through sectional qualifiers.

The first Intercollegiate Bowling Championship was held in 1975 in Dayton, Ohio, under the title of the "Spectacular I." The 2002 IBC will be held April 17-21 at Transit Lanes in Buffalo, N.Y.

Nebraska women, Western Illinois men break records, earn titles in St. Louis

The 24th annual National Collegiate Team Match Games, held Nov. 23-24 at AMF Strike N' Spare Lanes in St. Louis, saw high-scoring and record-setting performances throughout the two-day event over the Thanksgiving weekend.

The Western Illinois men's squad dominated the 51-team men's field, winning 28 of 32 matches and setting a new College Bowling USA record with a 3,677 team three-game series. The old mark of 3,652 was held by Wichita State and was rolled during the 1999-2000 season.

Western Illinois is the top-ranked men's squad in the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Poll. Lindenwood claimed second place, with Nebraska finishing third. Rounding out the top five were sixth-ranked Purdue and Florida State.

Nebraska outlasted the 36-team women's field by rolling a record 3,587 series, eclipsing Wichita State's 3,554 during the 1998-99 season. The fifth-ranked Huskers held off second-ranked Morehead State, fourth-ranked Central Missouri State and top-ranked Indiana State for the title. Wichita State rounded out the top five.

Individual highlights included 800 series by St. Peter's Mike Morcillo (828), Nebraska's Derek Eoff (809) and Mankato State's Scott Riepe (802). Six perfect games were rolled by: Western Illinois' Shane Keefauver and Rod English; Florida State's Danny Borches; Erie Community College's Chris Snyder; Penn State's Pete Bohleber; and Lindenwood's Erin Reid.

Members of the men's division all-tournament team included: Keefauver; Michigan State's Jeff Butler; Illinois State's Josh Corey; Nebraska's John Asbaty; West Texas A&M's Chris Pickett; and Western Illinois' Clay Herrbach.

Nebraska's Shannon Pluhowsky, Diandra Hyman and Christine Couvillion were joined on the women's division all-tournament team by Indiana University's Cassandra Kester, Central Missouri State's Amber Gazverde and Cal State-Fullerton's Melissa Bellinder.

The National Collegiate Team Match Game was the third of 10 CBUSA tier 1 tournaments for the 2001-02 season. Four tier 1 events highlight the collegiate bowling schedule for December, including the 29th annual Las Vegas Invitational (Dec. 27-28), the Collegiate Shoot-Out in Las Vegas (Dec. 28-30), the 14th annual Colgate Invitational in Maple Shade, N.J., (Dec. 27-28) and the South Jersey Winter Classic in Cherry Hill, N.J., (Dec. 29-30).

North Carolina A&T State University captures MEAC title in Delaware

North Carolina A&T State University's women's bowling team took home the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title for the second time in three years at the Nov. 10 MEAC conference championship in Dover, Del. The Lady Aggies also won the inaugural event in 1999. Maryland-Eastern Shore won the event last season.

The MEAC is one of only three conferences that has women's bowling at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) varsity level for the 2001-02 season. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Southwestern Athletic Conference are the other two conferences competing at the NCAA level.

The MEAC includes 10 of the 39 schools currently competing at the NCAA level for women's bowling.

Melissa Comfort, Courtney Stith and Audrey McIntyre helped North Carolina A&T total 10,111 pins for the tournament. Morgan State University and 2001 MEAC Outstanding Performer Lee Ann Lewis placed second with 9,990 pins. Last year's champion Maryland-Eastern Shore squad finished third (9,128), Howard University placed fourth (8,840) and Hampton University finished fifth (7,855).

Comfort, Stith, McIntyre, Lewis and Howard's Crystal Waters were named to the all-tournament team. North Carolina A&T's Adam Chaskin took home 2001 Outstanding Coach honors.

Notes

Pete Weber was selected Bowling Writers Association of America Bowler of the Month for November by a select panel of the organization. Weber, the 39-year-old right-hander from St. Ann, Mo., last month captured his 27th Professional Bowlers Association championship at the Greater Louisville (Ky.) Open. The win put the PBA Hall of Famer one title ahead of his legendary father, Dick Weber, and it tied the younger Weber for fourth on the all-time victory list with Mike Aulby and Parker Bohn III. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of North Richland Hills, Texas, who won her seventh Professional Women's Bowling Association title of 2001 at the Brunswick Women's World Open in Las Vegas, was runner-up in the balloting.

Agnes Duffy was incorrectly listed as a former Women's International Bowling Congress president in a story about Helene Phillips in the Nov. 29 Newsline.