SERVING THE INDUSTRY SINCE 1967

BOWLING

USBC Coaching Dick Weber Dies At Age 75 Bowling Mom’s By: Steve James Certified To Speak At Fellow Members: I wanted you to know the terrible news about the passing of Dick We- Coaches ber. I picked Dick up at the Baton Rouge hotel Sunday morning and rode to the airport with Writer’s him and then flew to Memphis where we parted. What a tragic loss. Nominated For Luncheon He Wore His Beloved ABC Hall of Fame Jacket at The By: Mary Lynly United States Opening of ABC National Tournament in Baton Rouge The Night Before

By Dick Evans Linda Ruiz and Karen Heins will

Olympic probably forever be known as the Dick Weber, bowling's greatest ambassador ever and possibly its greatest 20 bowlers “Bowling Moms” after their great finish in ever, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday night at his home in the St Louis area. the widely watched “Amazing Race.” Committee Less than 36 hours earlier Weber had gotten a standing ovation when he was introduced Finishing 4th, they finished higher than at the opening ceremonies of the 102nd American Bowling Championship Tournament at any other two-woman team had ever Awards the River Center Convention Center in Baton Rouge, La. finished and only a 150 ft. climb up a

A tearful Rich Weber, Dick's oldest child, called Monday morning to deliver the sad news limestone cliff did them in. GREENDALE, Wis. – A trio of certified The girls had to vie for the spot on the that will shake up the tenpin bowling world. coaches with the United States Bowling show and the tenacity and focus with Congress Coaching Program are in the Dick Weber had won 26 Professional Bowlers Association titles in his young years, six which these champions bowl kept them running for the United States Olympic PBA Senior titles and four old National All-Star titles that featured 400 players and 100- in the race through numerous difficult Committee’s 2004 Coach of the Year game formats. tasks including eating two pounds of awards. His titles were spread over five decades, a sports record at that time. The rail-thin right caviar and a scrambled ostrich egg and Rod Ross (Manteca, Calif.), Dave Har- hander in his young years was named National of the Year in 1961-63-65 and was negotiating their way through 75,000 ris (Chesapeake, Va.) and H. Kathy voted one of the three all-time great bowlers at the end of the 20th century. miles of countries most of whose people Broady (Bronx, N.Y.) were nominated for He was inducted in the ABC Hall of Fame in 1970 and the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975. did not speak English! USOC national honors as National Weber also established a world wide following for anchoring the famous Budweiser teams The girls hail from Palmdale (Antelope Coach of the Year, Developmental and with a half century association with the AMF Bowling Ball company, which sent him Valley WBA,) and are champions in their Coach of the Year and Volunteer Coach own right. The captured a CWBA 2004 of the Year, respectively. around the world. Classic Division state tournament title Finalists for the three awards will be He had gotten much media attention world wide by bowling a match in an airplane from and both average over 200 as well as honored at a special function. the New York area to Texas, on the sand at Miami Beach and as a feature attraction with having been members of the Southern Ross is head coach of Junior Team unorthodox bowling shots in Manhattan on national TV shows. California All-star team. Linda also has USA, the United States’ national amateur He was a man who could never say no to an autograph seeker, an invitation or a bowling a 300 game and 800 series to her credit. youth bowling squad. He guided Junior function. The California Bowling Writers are Team USA to gold medals in five events I told a friend that Dick Weber, 75, looked very tired at the reception before the ABC thrilled that the girls will be the featured and silver medals in four events at the opening ceremonies Saturday night but still he was his genial self. speakers at their 2005 luncheon at the 2004 Tournament of the Americas in Mi- He said that he would return to Baton Rouge for the ABC Hall of Fame ceremonies March Pacific Palms in the City of Industry – ami. He led his team members to two site of the California WBA 2005 conven- gold medals and eight overall at the 2004 14-18 and to bowl in the tournament that he loved so dearly. tion. World Tenpin Bowling Association World Dick said he wished that the new United States Bowling Congress, which replaced the The luncheon will of the following: Youth Championships in Guam. ABC Jan. 1, would hold future Hall of Fame ceremonies at the tournament site but would be Pasta Primavera or Grilled chicken Ross has earned Bronze, Silver and there no matter where they were held. I had the honor to serve on Hall of Fame committees Salad Bread, Tea or Coffee Gold level coaching certification, as well with Dick Weber and was always impressed that when Dick Weber talked, everybody lis- Dessert as the title of master instructor for USBC tened intently. $22.50 Coaching. The Pocatello, Idaho native, In the past few years bowling has lost two of its greatest stars Joe Norris and Earl An- The CBW luncheon is always special who currently resides in Manteca, Calif., thony. But neither of those great bowlers touched as many bowlers world wide as Dick We- with numerous prizes and goodies and a has coached for more than 25 years and ber -- his laugh was infectious, his personality always that of a champion, his bowling skills special take off on the Amazing Race is perhaps best known for creating Bowl- will flavor the décor. Space will be lim- ® unmatched and his love of bowling unrivaled. ersMAP digital coaching software in ited so send for your tickets now. Send 1998, which was marketed by Ebonite in to: Jackie Wyckoff, CBW Secretary – 2003. 626 Poplar Avenue, Redwood City, CA Dallas. with people. Her program has impacted Harris, a 60-year-old USBC Coaching 94061. Inquiries may be made by AMF Chesapeake Lanes General Man- hundreds of youth and adult bowlers, Silver level coach, is the pro shop coordi- emailing Jackie at [email protected]. nator for the AMF Virginia District and is ager Dale Schneider said “Dave epito- teaching them such life skills as responsi- the lead bowling instructor at AMF mizes the idiom ‘it is better to give than to bility, developing character and being Chesapeake Lanes. receive.’” mentors. The awards are organized through the Since leaving the Professional Bowlers Broady is a USBC Coaching Bronze “Rod, Dave and Kathy represent the USOC Coaching Recognition Program, Association Senior Tour in 1998, Harris level coach. In 1991, she founded a pro- high standards of the USBC Coaching which seeks to elevate the status of has been instrumental in teaching the gram called “A Different Approach,” Program,” said USBC Coaching Director coaching as a profession and recognize sport of bowling in the Tidewater, Va., which has served to motivate youth and Bob Maki. “They have excelled as bowl- the best coaches in the United States. area. adults to focus on developing new skills ing coaches for many years; it’s time they For more information about the USBC He averages more than 20 hours per and making the most of their abilities. were recognized for their commitment Coaching Program, visit USBCCoaching. week coaching and teaching bowling at Broady and her team of 22 certified and dedication to bowling.” com or call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3206. all levels in the AMF Virginia District. coaches use bowling as a way to give Each Olympic and Pan American sport

Harris prepared four of his bowlers for inner-city youths in Bronx, N.Y., a posi- was invited to nominate one coach in competition in the 2004 USA Junior Gold tive outlook on their abilities on the lanes, each of the three categories as candi- Bowling National Championships in in the classroom and in their relationships dates for the USOC Coach of the Year.

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