USBC: Organization revises procedures for Hall of Fame consideration beginning in 2025

By DAVE SCHROEDER

USBC Communications

ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame Committee has approved revisions to the nominating and voting procedures for induction into the USBC Hall of Fame.

The revisions come following recommendations from a working group that analyzed the existing processes and procedures for the USBC Hall of Fame. The working group consisted primarily of current USBC Hall of Fame members. Beginning with the Class of 2025, the following revisions will be in effect:

• The number of categories for the USBC Hall of Fame will include the following:
  • Superior Performance.
  • Outstanding USBC Performance
  • Meritorious Service

Note: The categories for Veterans and Pioneer are now inactive.

• The nomination process in the Superior Performance and Outstanding USBC Performance categories has been eliminated. Candidates meeting minimum eligibility requirements (as outlined below) will automatically be considered by the USBC Hall of Fame Committee. A nominating process will continue to be used for the Meritorious Service category.
• The process of using a national ballot for voting in the Superior Performance category has been eliminated. As with the other categories, Superior Performance candidates will be elected by the USBC Hall of Fame Committee.
• For all three categories, the minimum age for consideration will be 45 (previously 40). Superior Performance and Outstanding USBC Performance candidates must have 20 years of participation in USBC-approved qualifying events (same as previous requirement).

• In the Superior Performance category, the requirements for consideration are as follows:
  • Men:
    • A total of ten (10) national titles won.
      • National Tour titles = 1 title.
      • National Tour major titles = 2 titles.
      • National Senior titles (regular or major) = ½ title.
  • Women:
    • A total of seven (7) national titles won.
      • National Tour titles = 1 title.
      • National Tour major titles = 2 titles.
      • National Senior titles (regular or major) = ½ title.

• In the Outstanding USBC Performance category, the requirements for consideration are as follows:
  • A total of four (4) titles won in either USBC Open Championships, USBC Women’s Championships or Team USA Trials competition.

OR

• A minimum of five (5) years on adult Team USA with a minimum of five (5) medals won (gold, silver or bronze) in world level adult competitions or Pan American Games (World Championships, World Cups, World Games or Pan American Games).

• In the Meritorious Service category:
  • Information for applicants can list outstanding accomplishments/achievements at the local, state and national level in service to the USBC in the areas of association, administration and/or bowling industry contributions. However, there must be meaningful accomplishments/achievements on the national level to be considered.
  • Nominations will still be submitted online on BOWL.com, and USBC staff will review all submissions and will forward those that meet the criteria to the committee for consideration.
  • The separate and specific criteria for coaching in this category has been removed. Coaches will still be considered provided they meet the criteria listed in the above bullet point.
• The committee approved a revision that a maximum of six candidates total (all categories combined) be inducted in any given year.
• The committee also approved the assignment by USBC of a working group to assess and analyze USBC Hall of Fame processes and procedures at a minimum of every five years.

The nomination/application process for the Meritorious Service category will open shortly on Bowl.com. 

According to Jeff Richgels of 11thframe.com, 23 bowlers have been added in the Outstanding USBC Performance category since 2011. But under the new procedures, 12 of those 23 would not even have been eligible to be considered for induction.

That includes Mike Shady and Lennie Boresch Jr., who inarguably have been two of the greatest players in USBC Open Championships history — they just haven’t won the now-required four Eagles.

In addition, with two categories being eliminated with the new procedures,Veterans Hall of Famer inductees Roy Buckley, Bob Learn Jr., Don McCune, and Harry Sullins would not qualifying since their PBA at PBA50 Tour titles wouldn’t be enough for Superior Performance.

The USBC Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be inducted during the 2025 USBC Convention in Las Vegas at South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, May 5-8.