🏆 Luby Hall of Fame Award

2024 Winner: Bill Spigner

Spigner of Vernon Hills, Illinois, surpassed long-time Syracuse (New York) Post Standard writer Fran Piraino for the honor.

He compiled a record on the lanes that landed him in seven bowling halls of fame, including that of the USBC. He also has contributed to the sport as a top-level coach and, perhaps, somewhat under the radar, as a prolific writer.

Spigner authored an instructional column for every issue of Bowling Digest magazine, which was published from 1983 to 2004. In 2008, he became a senior writer for Bowlers Journal International, penning “The Pro Approach” column as well as occasional feature stories.

“I never dreamed anything like this. I never dreamed of halls of fame anyways and I kept getting into them,” he said. “I never considered myself a true journalist. I never had any education in writing anything or getting involved in writing until Bowling Digest. I wasn’t a true writer, but I learned an awful lot not only about bowling but how to structure an article. To be up there with the other guys in there is shocking.”

His writing also appeared in the Chicago Bowler for six years and in TenPin Alley for three years. All told, he has written more than 400 published instructional columns, helping bowlers of all skill levels improve their games and enjoy the sport more.

🏆 Alberta E. Crowe Meritorious Service Award

2024 Winner: Tom Clark

Clark of Muskego, Wisconsin, beat out daily web bowling articles in the 11th frame by Jeff Richgels of Madison, WI.

The long-time commissioner of the Professional Bowlers Association, Clark has been a supporter and cheerleader for the sport of bowling for more than two decades. He has not been afraid to take risks which has resulted in a better, stronger, and more solvent PBA and has provided for world-wide media coverage, which has been lacking for so long.

“It’s always nice to be recognized. I really appreciate the honor,” Clark said. “Any award with Alberta Crowe’s name on it is special. I’ve dedicated my life to getting more people interested in watching and reading about bowling in hopes they will get out and bowl themselves.”

Clark was born in Syracuse, New York, and attended Buffalo State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in journalism. He spent more than a decade in print journalism, including a stint as Sports Assignment Editor for USA Today. While filling that role, Clark said he pushed for better media coverage of bowling, feeling that the media "never treated bowling fairly.” This led to his first job in the bowling business in 2005 as Chief Communications Officer for United States Bowling Congress. In 2008, he was hired as Deputy Commissioner of the PBA, and has served as Commissioner of the PBA since 2011.

As PBA Commissioner, with a staff of 19 people and a four-person advisory board, Clark oversees the PBA membership which numbers 3,000+ worldwide. Clark also guides other agendas such as PBA sanctioned competitions, communications, sponsorships, and media coverage.

Faced with financial issues, the PBA and ESPN jointly worked on ways to cut costs. One idea was to hold multiple tournaments in one location which could have the final rounds recorded and aired later, thus saving on travel costs for players and crew. The result was the very first PBA World Series of Bowling, which Clark created in 2009.

In 2018, Clark managed the transition of the PBA's television media rights from ESPN to Fox Broadcasting. PBA Tournament broadcasts began airing on FS1 and Fox network terrestrial stations in the 2019 season. In August 2023, the PBA and Fox agreed on a two-year extension of their broadcast partnership.

🏆 IBMA HENNESSY AWARD OF MERIT

2024 Winner: Jackie Wyckoff

Wyckoff of Campbell, California, topped former Las Vegas based TenPin Alley Bowling newspaper owner Frenchy Letourneau.

She began her service to bowling writers’ organizations in May 1998 when she was elected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer during the charter meeting for the California Bowling Writers, a position she held for nearly 20 years. In 1999 she joined the National Women Bowling Writers (NWBW), and in 2003 she joined the Bowling Writers of America Association (BWAA). The groups merged in 2006 to later become the International Bowling Media Association (IBMA).

Wyckoff served as IBMA president from 2009-2011, Vice President from 2007-2008, and Operations Manager from 2015-2020. She was also Vice President of NWBW from 2004-2006 and was elected to the IBMA board of directors at the merger meeting.

She inked a deal in 2018 with Storm Bowling to sponsor the Collegiate Bowlers of the Year Awards and was the primary person in creating the IBMA Writing Competition in 2009. After several years of disappointing entries to the Pezzano Scholarship, in 2017 Wyckoff and Keith Hamilton revamped the entire process, taking the applications online, instituting a media blitz, and securing the BBIA to a four-year sponsorship commitment, resulting in a tenfold increase in entries the first year and nearly 50 times increase in the following years.

“I am honored to even be nominated for this award let alone winning,” she said. “Mike Hennessy was a great mentor for me and to win this award in his name means a lot. Also, going against French LeTourneau who has done so much for the organization, it’s a big surprise, I’m really happy, and I want to thank everybody.”

In 2004 she was a member of the BWAA/NWBW Merger Task Force, along with Nancy Chapman, Bill Vint and Steve James and created the charter bylaws for IBMA in 2006. Over the years she has served on and chaired many committees, including Nominating; Legislative; Finance and Audit; USBC Convention; International Bowl Expo Trade Shows; Website; Strategic Planning; Membership Retention and Development; Writing Competition; Bowlers of the Year; Senior Bowlers of the Year; College Ranking Polls; Collegiate Bowlers of the Year; and the Chuck Pezzano Scholarship.

Wyckoff has worked as a staff writer for 900 Magazine and Bowling Industry Magazine. Her freelance writing credits include published articles in US Bowler Magazine; Northern California Bowling World; Southern California Bowling News; the San Jose Mercury News; and assorted papers in the Bay Area News Group.

Honors include IBMA Life Member; CBW Life Member, USBC Life Member; Winner of the NWBW Newsletter Division I award for the California Bowling Writers InfoLink and the NWBW First Venture award for the Peninsula WBA Newsletter.

She has used her astute management skills to begin administrative groups and mentored newer members of those organizations to become effective committee members and chairs. 

🏆 Rip Van Winkle Award

2024 Winner: Jack Cook

Cook of Beaumont, Texas, earned the award over Chuck Lande, the pioneer of two-handed bowling style.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Cook managed the largest bowling center in the United States – The Showboat in Las Vegas – which at the time was the premier destination bowling center in the country.

He grew its business exponentially with his innovative programs which were new to the industry. He also brought in countless tournament groups with hotel/gift shop/pro shop packages. Additionally, he helped drive the Professional Bowlers Association to host up to five national tournaments there each year. These PBA events included one of the largest pro-am events ever in bowling, one which included Showboat-branded pro-am bowling balls from different manufacturers.

With Cook’s work, the Showboat became the host of the richest megabuck tournament in the country – the High Roller – which paid $200,000 for first place. He also helped put together the Super Bowl High Roller which combined the ability to win a $100,000 first prize (just half of what was offered in the summer) and enjoy the Super Bowl experience at the same time. Big screen TVs and a gluttonous amount of food and beverage were a must.

With 106 available lanes 24 hours a day, the Showboat was like no other. Major concepts and programs were a welcome testing ground due to its size, league base, and Cook’s eagerness to promote and expand the sport. Add in the countless local tournament organizations from around the country that would have their national events at the Showboat once each year; Cook was behind it all.

After 13 years at The Showboat, he moved to Reno to become vice president of stadium operations at the National Bowling Stadium. His tenure there was cut short due to health issues, but his impact on the facility endured. If you were a competitive bowler at any time from 1985-2000, it would be unlikely that you weren’t directly impacted by Cook’s tenuous work and promotion within the sport of bowling.

“It’s really something. I can’t believe it,” Cook said when learning he received the honor. “It’s amazing. I’m real pleased with that. It will hold a special place in my heart.

🏆 Bowler of the Year

2023 Winner: EJ TACKETT

E.J. Tackett captured five Professional Bowlers Association titles in 2023 including the U.S. Open and PBA World Championship. He also led the PBA in points with 41,200 and earnings ($458,450) and was the leader in average at 227.12. He beat out Anthony Simonsen and Jason Belmonte in the voting.  “It’s really cool. It’s one of those things where it’s not just what you do on the PBA Tour,” Tackett said of the IBMA honor. “It’s one of those awards that holds a lot of weight because everyone is included and not just the guys out here.”

About the Award

The purpose of this award is to honor a male and female bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar year. Professional and amateur bowlers are eligible to receive this award.

🏆 Bowler of the Year

2023 Winner: JORDAN RICHARD

Jordan Richard won three titles, led the Professional Women’s Bowling Association in points with 110,162.50 and average at 219.69 for the season. She topped Lindsay Boomershine and Diana Zavjalova in the voting.

About the Award

The purpose of this award is to honor a male and female bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar year. Professional and amateur bowlers are eligible to receive this award.

🏆 Senior Bowler of the Year

2019 Winner: NORM DUKE

Norm Duke earned this year's IBMA Senior Male Bowler of the Year with stats coming in from both the PBA and PBA50 Tours. Duke won the Go Bowling! PBA Indianapolis Open and Go Bowling! PBA Jonesboro Open, and was in the top five in three other events on the regular PBA Tour. On the PBA50 Tour, Duke finished in the top seven in all six tournaments he entered, with a high finish of third in three events. Between both tours, Duke pocketed a cool $126,415 and was the front runner for this award. He easily outdistanced runner-up Walter Ray Williams Jr., who won the first three PBA50 titles in 2019.

About the Award

The purpose of this award is to honor a male and female bowler, 50 years or older, for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar year. Professional and amateur bowlers are eligible to receive this award.

🏆 Senior Bowler of the Year

2019 Winner: JEANNIE NACCARATO

Jeannie Naccarato won the title over fellow bowlers Debbie Ayers and Linda Walbaum for the 2019 Senior Female Bowler of the Year. Naccarato’s impressive championship performance in the 2019 USBC Queens and a runner-up finish in the Golden Ladies Classic made her the clear chioce on the ballot. She was also the leading money winner among the women’s senior finalists, earning $9,302 in 2019.

About the Award

The purpose of this award is to honor a male and female bowler, 50 years or older, for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar year. Professional and amateur bowlers are eligible to receive this award.

🏆 IBMA (BWAA) Collegiate Bowler of the Year Award Presented by Storm Bowling

2024 Winner: Spencer Robarge; Wichita State University

About the Award

The IBMA Collegiate Bowler of the Year Award, presented by Storm Bowling, was established in 1987 to recognize and honor a male and female bowler for their outstanding accomplishments in collegiate competition. The award is presented each year during the Intercollegiate Team Championships in April.

🏆 IBMA (BWAA) Collegiate Bowler of the Year Award Presented by Storm Bowling

2024 Winner: Jacquiline Witura; Webber International University

About the Award

The IBMA Collegiate Bowler of the Year Award, presented by Storm Bowling, was established in 1987 to recognize and honor a male and female bowler for their outstanding accomplishments in collegiate competition. The award is presented each year during the Intercollegiate Team Championships in April.

🏆 IBMA Bowler of the Decade

2000 - 2009 Winner: Walter Ray Williams Jr.

About the Award

The purpose of this award is to honor a male and female bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a decade. (To be decided in 2019)

🏆 IBMA Bowler of the Decade

2000 - 2009 Winner: Kelly Kulick

About the Award

The purpose of this award is to honor a male and female bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a decade. (To be decided in 2019)