Nicholson wins Laneman award
July 08, 2011
Len Nicholson, the former director of lane maintenance for the Professional Bowlers Association, has been selected as the first recipient of The Jim Jaryszak Laneman Award.
The award is named for the former USBC Research Manager who passed away in late 2010. Neil Stremmel, USBC Managing Director of National Governing Body, presented the award to Nicholson last week. Nicholson was selected by a committee consisting of the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team.
"Nicholson (left, in photo) played a major role in the development of lane conditions in the sport," Stremmel said. "It is only fitting that he receives this award in honor of our friend and colleague, Jim Jaryszak."
Nicholson currently serves as host of the internet Phantom Radio Show presented by Kegel. The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team presented the award, along with a can of Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax, to Nicholson during a live broadcast of the Phantom Radio Show during Bowl Expo.
"This is a tremendous award that I will cherish forever," Nicholson said. "To receive this from the USBC in Jim's name is an absolute honor. Jim was a credit to this profession for many reasons, especially his integrity. My hopes are that he will never be forgotten. I am encouraged to see that Neil Stremmel and his staff of young, brilliant minds will continue to pursue (and conquer) all of the variables involved in lane conditioning."
Nicholson, who was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2010 for Meritorious Service, was Director of Lane Maintenance for the PBA Tour, starting the program in 1971. He traveled on the PBA Tour for more than 25 years and during that time handled lane conditions for more than 800 tournaments, including the PBA Tour, PBA Senior Tour and regional tours.
In addition to the plaque presented to Nicholson, another plaque has been placed in the International Training and Research Center in Arlington, showing Nicholson as the first recipient of the annual award.
Jaryszak was instrumental in setting up the USBC Sport Bowling program as well as the Red, White and Blue patterns for USBC. He was the point person as USBC worked with the PBA on updating their five "animal" patterns.
During the finals of Bowling's U.S. Women's Open at Cowboys Stadium last week, Kegel honored Jaryszak by placing the initials "JJ" on the lane machine.
The award is named for the former USBC Research Manager who passed away in late 2010. Neil Stremmel, USBC Managing Director of National Governing Body, presented the award to Nicholson last week. Nicholson was selected by a committee consisting of the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team.
"Nicholson (left, in photo) played a major role in the development of lane conditions in the sport," Stremmel said. "It is only fitting that he receives this award in honor of our friend and colleague, Jim Jaryszak."Nicholson currently serves as host of the internet Phantom Radio Show presented by Kegel. The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team presented the award, along with a can of Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax, to Nicholson during a live broadcast of the Phantom Radio Show during Bowl Expo.
"This is a tremendous award that I will cherish forever," Nicholson said. "To receive this from the USBC in Jim's name is an absolute honor. Jim was a credit to this profession for many reasons, especially his integrity. My hopes are that he will never be forgotten. I am encouraged to see that Neil Stremmel and his staff of young, brilliant minds will continue to pursue (and conquer) all of the variables involved in lane conditioning."
Nicholson, who was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2010 for Meritorious Service, was Director of Lane Maintenance for the PBA Tour, starting the program in 1971. He traveled on the PBA Tour for more than 25 years and during that time handled lane conditions for more than 800 tournaments, including the PBA Tour, PBA Senior Tour and regional tours.
In addition to the plaque presented to Nicholson, another plaque has been placed in the International Training and Research Center in Arlington, showing Nicholson as the first recipient of the annual award.
Jaryszak was instrumental in setting up the USBC Sport Bowling program as well as the Red, White and Blue patterns for USBC. He was the point person as USBC worked with the PBA on updating their five "animal" patterns.
During the finals of Bowling's U.S. Women's Open at Cowboys Stadium last week, Kegel honored Jaryszak by placing the initials "JJ" on the lane machine.