The votes are in and it’s going to be a very busy night this year. Five Madison bowlers will be honored at the 45th annual MBA Hall of Fame and Bowler Recognition ceremony, the largest class since 1993.
The stated objective of the MBA Hall of Fame is the recognition of the outstanding bowlers and dedicated servants of the Madison area who through their competitive skills, high personal standards and dedicated principles have enriched the general welfare, spirit, reputation and progress of the sport of tenpin bowling.
The 2016 class certainly meets that objective.
Rick Thomas will be inducted for Distinguished Performance. Thomas’ resume includes three MBA City Tournament titles and 10 top five finishes. He has a Wisconsin State doubles title. He has also won 12 Madison Area Scratch Tour titles. He has twice been the recipient of the Jim Grady Bowler of the Year Award , had high city series in 2012, and is the MBA record holder for single season high league average – a 252 in 2011-12. Thomas has 37 career 300’s and 34 800’s with a high of 855. His 25 year MBA average is 220.
The Veterans category, for bowlers over 55, will add Paul Beckman and Craig Zirbel.
Beckman has been a quality player over his 43 year tenure as an MBA member. He owns two MBA City Tournament titles (team and singles), both earned in the 1970’s. The seasoned tournament veteran has a number of tournament wins and top finishes, including a top 40 in the 1974 ABC Tournament in doubles where he shot 719. More recently, he has two 300 games in MBA Senior City Tournament play where he has a pair of top five finishes in singles.
The athletic Zirbel is a three time MBA City Tournament titlist with a doubles and team title in the 1980’s and another team title in the early 1990’s. Zirbel has 17 career 300 games, five of which were bowled in tournaments. He also has a pair of 800 series’ – both shot in tournaments, including an 804 in his 1985 team title effort. His 31 year lifetime average of 209 continues to increase as he has averaged around 220 for the last 10 years.
John Bisco and Bob Frambs will be recognized in the Meritorious Service category for their contributions to bowling.
Bisco has been an MBA member for 44 years and involved with the MBA board since 1994. He is currently the MBA Treasurer. A man that can be counted on, his service to the MBA includes chairing numerous committees, most notably as the State Tournament chair in 2000 and 2016 – coordinating association efforts to host and conduct a smooth running state tournament. Bisco also serves in league leadership positions primarily as the secretary/treasurer for three leagues – including a still running 32 year stint with the Dream Lanes Suburban Merchants league.
Frambs, a 48 year MBA member, is another long time bowling volunteer who has been involved in association activities, charitable events, and other bowling competitions. He was an MBA Director for six years, leaving the board as Vice President. He is the MBA Audit committee chair, a position he has held since 1998. His resume lists numerous leadership positions with youth bowling, including youth association auditor, Dream Lanes youth program director, and youth tournament qualifier director. He has worked as a league officer for several leagues. Frambs currently serves on the Wisconsin Senior Games Board, directing the bowling portion of the events.
The Madison USBC Bowling Association looks forward to inducting these individuals into the Hall of Fame at the 45th Annual Hall of Fame and Bowler Recognition Dinner on Thursday, August 18, 2016. The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Madison on East Washington Avenue. A cash bar will open at 5:00. The program will begin at 6:00, with dinner served at 6:30. General admission tickets are $40.00 – advance reservations required.