By BILL SNIER
CANTON — Five new members will join an elite group as the Stark County United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Hall of Fame and Canton Amateur Sports Hall of Fame will hold their annual enshrinement ceremonies in August.
The five inductees for bowling, adding to the 246 men and 118 women already enshrined at CASHOF, in two categories, include:
- Performance: Jim Williams, Brian Buehler, Matthew J. McCourry and Don Sprout; and
- Meritorious Service: Cayce Burkholder.
This will mark the fourth class inducted into the Stark USBC Hall since the merging of the Greater Canton Bowling Association and the Canton Women’s Bowling Association. The GCBA had its first enshrinee class in 1971; the CWBA in 1974. Plaques for all enshrinees are housed in the CASHOF.
The ceremony also will mark induction ceremonies for new members of the Stark County Fumbleball Hall of Fame. That new class will include Chris (Fess) Parker, Bob Thompson and Jon Melnichenko.
The enshrinement ceremonies are set for 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at the downtown Double Tree by Hilton. Tickets will be $40, with no tickets available at the door. Contact CASHOF for ticket details.
Here is a look at the new bowling inductees:
SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE
BRIAN BUEHLER
The 60-year-old Alliance right-hander, who throws without inserting his thumb in the bowling ball, owns 149 300 games to go along with 112 800 series, with a high career series of 868. He owns a Stark County Masters title to go along with five GCBA handicap tournament team titles, three doubles titles, four singles titles and two all-events crowns while bowling in over 30 city events. A former Professional Bowlers Association 50 Tour regional player, he has topped numerous tournament fields over the years and is a member of the Salem-Sebring Bowling Hall of Fame.
MATTHEW J. McCOURRY
The 56-year-old North Canton right-hander has posted eight career 800 series to go along with 15 300 games. Health problems cost him the opportunity to add to his totals, but during his time off the lanes, he served as Canton McKinley High School’s varsity coach and as a Perry junior varsity coach for 10 seasons, and continues to serve on both the Stark USBC board of directors and on the youth committee. Prior to being sidelined, he was a former Dick Moecia Rookie of the Year and Stark County Junior Masters champion, while posting a high personal average of 233 for a season. A former Miller LIte and Budweiser travel league captain and member, he placed in numerous area tournaments and held the five-game record of 1,279 for the Junior Tournament Bowlers Association until the record was retired.
DON SPROUT
The 68-year-old Alliance right-hander has posted 26 career 300 games to go along with eight 800 series, with a high of 842. A former Massillon City tournament all-events champion, he posted a personal high average of 234 one season and has been a member of 15 championship teams. In addition, he has served as an assistant coach at both Perry and Lake high schools. He has averaged over 210 for 25 seasons and participated in 50 city tournaments
JIM WILLIAMS
The 66-year-old Canton left-hander owns 32 career 300 games to go along with 14 career 800 series and a high of 836. A quiet competitor and strong team player, Williams has turned in some of his better performances after the age of 60 as a member of the Ellsworth Auto Body Senior Traveling league and numerous other regular and senior leagues He has averaged over 210 for the past 25 years, with a high career average of 233 on season.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE
CAYCE BURKHOLDER
The former Massillon resident, who died earlier this season at the age of 71, was an integral part of the Stark County USBC, serving as a director and vice president during her career. She was either chairwoman or co-chair of the USBC’s budget and finance, ways and means and scholarship committees during her tenure. She worked extensively on youth, men’s and women’s championship tournaments and the 2025 Ohio State USBC Women’s Tournament despite declining health over the past few years. She also was a member of the Stark County Bowling Council and the local 600 Club. She also served as a league officer for over 30 seasons.