The Bowlmor lanes were known as the most difficult around, and the best in the East

struggled to average close to 200. Campi averaged 232 plus for his 45 games, and only four were under 200. He made a number of last game comebacks in the three Idle Thoughts game tests, and thrice threatened the 300 game, for which a bonus prize of $100,000 By Chuck Pezzano had been posted. If the names of the bowlers seem familiar, they should. All were elected to the ABC Hall of fame except King. Kitchens of Sara Lee, now a giant firm involved with dozens of products, featured just cheese cake and coffee cake. One of the greatest feats in bowling history unfolded a little more than 50 years ago. Pat McDonough, then the statistical genius and bowling writer on the sports staff of the New York World Telegram, figured the odds against Campi winning 14 straight It was the TV winning streak piled up by the late Lou Campi of Dumont, NJ, a mem- matches were an unbelievable 16,383 to 1. ber of the ABC Hall of Fame and half a dozen other Halls. Campi rolled with the top Sadly, no film or tape of any portion of the shows was preserved, because in those teams, won the national doubles with Andy Varipapa, and again with Lindy Faragalli, days the tape was erased and used over again. Some recordings and home movies do and more than 100 assorted titles. He gained special attention as “Wrongfoot Lou” pop up now and then. because he finished on his right foot even though he was a righty, and according to the (Continued from page 12) books, that’s the wrong foot. 2008 PBA Exempt Doubles Classic A mason by trade, Campi was strong physically, but even stronger mentally and early his team the 233-223 win. acquired the reputation as one of the best clutch bowlers in the game. That, and his In the first match, Ciccone and Russell defeated and Wes Malott, 235- pride and confidence in hi ability, made him an almost perfect performer for TV. Prior to 193. Russell, making his first career TV appearance, had clutch strikes in the eighth the streak he had established himself as an outstanding TV performer, winning a cou- and 10th frames sandwiched around a Ciccone strike in the ninth which sealed the win ple of cars, pretty fair cash for the times, and all kinds of merchandise. He made con- over Barnes and Malott, who were unable to strike after the seventh frame. stant TV appearance across the country. Fagan and Wiseman $40,000 for the win and each earned an exemption for the No score or record bothered him, and he never worried about how high scores might 2008-09 season. Ciccone (Buffalo) and Russell () split $18,000 for second, be. He often said. “If a man bowled it, a man can beat it.” O’Neill (Levittown, Pa.) and Scroggins (Amarillo, Texas) split $9,000 for third and Bar- The TV shows were aired live from New York City when Campi was 52. Two years nes (Double Oak, Texas) and Malott (Argyle, Texas) earned $7,000 for fourth. later Campi made history when he won the first official tourney conducted by the PBA. The show was called “East vs. West” and was scheduled for 13 weeks. The format Denny’s PBA Tour was simple. A list of bowlers from the East and another of bowlers from the west was 2008 PBA Exempt Doubles Classic compiled, and when a bowler lost, the next man on the list would replace him the fol- Red Rock Lanes Las Vegas, Nev. lowing week. The winner would return. Sunday, Jan. 27 Campi didn’t give his fellow Easterners a chance to bowl. He won all 13scheduled Championship Round matches. In order, he defeated Therm Gibson, Johnny King, Bill Lillard, Tom Hennessey, Ed 1. Michael Fagan-Danny Wiseman ...... $40,000 Lubanski, Ned Day, Dick Weber, , Steve Nagy, Ed Kawolics, Buzz Fazio, 2. Ronnie Russell-Joe Ciccone ...... 18,000 Dick Hoover and Hoe Wilman. 3. Bill O’Neill-Mike Scroggins ...... 9,000 That completed the 13-week run. But the producer and announcer Lou Marks, the 4. Chris Barnes-Wes Malott ...... 7,000 owner of the host center, Nick Gianos of Bowlmor Recreation, and the main sponsor, SCORES – In the first match, Ciccone-Russell def. Barnes-Malott, 235-193; in the Kitchens of Sara Lee, all knew they had a big hit, and extended the show. Campi beat th second match, Ciccone-Russell def. O’Neill-Scroggins, 233-223; and in the final, Fa- Buddy Bomar and an additional week was added, the 15 , when Campi lost to Lillard, gan-Wiseman def. Ciccone-Russell, 210-208.. 665 to 662. This is Wiseman’s 12th career Denny’s PBA Tour title Fagan’s first career Denny’s (Continued next column) PBA Tour title.

16 www.bowlingworld.com – FEBRUARY 2008