Sydney Celestine

Pioneer

Sydney Celestine
City: Chicago
State: IL
Inducted: 1994

Celestine helped lead the fight to force the ABC to eliminate the rule that had been adopted in 1915-16 limiting membership in the organization to members of the Caucasian race. Although noted for his calm, sensible, diplomatic approach to the membership problem, he never waivered in his determination that the rule had to be removed from the books. Many honors came to Celestine in recognition of his role in obtaining eradication of the rule. The one he most treasured was his being the first electee in 1980 to The National Bowling Association Hall of Fame.