Eric Defreitas

Pioneer

Eric Defreitas
City: New York
State: NY
Inducted: 1994

DeFreitas was the first black bowler to become a member of the AMF Staff of Champions, and one of the first black members of the Professional Bowlers Association. He has been deeply involved in all phases of bowling, as a bowler, pioneer organizer and instructor, public relations man, fighter for fairness in bowling and elsewhere, and was a student, teacher and historian. He was instrumental in the formation of numerous junior leagues and tournaments, guided many young black bowlers into better competition and the pros and was an outstanding role model because of his many charitable, civic and church involvements.