Three elected to 2016 USBC Hall of Fame class
October 28, 2015
ARLINGTON, Texas - The United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame will have at least three new members in 2016 - one in the Outstanding USBC Performance, one in the Veterans category and one in Meritorious Service - after their election by the USBC Hall of Fame Committee.
Two-time USBC Open Championships titlist Steve Kloempken of Pleasant View, Utah, will be enshrined in the Outstanding USBC Performance category, Professional Bowlers Association senior standout Harry Sullins of Chesterfield Township, Michigan, will become the newest name in the Veterans category and longtime bowling writer Joan Romeo of Van Nuys, California, will be recognized for years of service to the bowling industry.
The committee also slated eight bowlers for the Superior Performance national ballot that will be voted on by a panel of USBC Hall of Fame members, board members and veteran bowling writers.
The men's ballot includes Mike Durbin of Livingston, Texas; David Ozio and Mark Williams of Beaumont, Texas; Randy Pedersen of Clermont, Florida; Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas and Danny Wiseman of Baltimore.
The two competitors on the women's ballot are Kim Adler of Melbourne, Florida, and Tammy Turner of West Palm Beach, Florida.
The induction ceremony will take place April 28 at the 2016 USBC Convention in Las Vegas and will include those elected for Superior Performance.
A look at the newly elected USBC Hall of Famers:
Steve Kloempken
The 45-year-old right-hander's balanced resume includes international success as a past member of Team USA, a memorable collegiate stint at Wichita State and two victories on the sport's biggest stage at the USBC Open Championships.
Kloempken's two appearances on Team USA (1991, 1994), were highlighted by doubles and trios gold medals at the 1991 World Bowling Men's Championships in Singapore. That momentum carried over to his collegiate career, where he helped the Shockers to three consecutive victories at the Intercollegiate Team Championships from 1993-1995.
In 27 years at the Open Championships, Kloempken has a 213.5 average and won titles in Team All-Events in 1993 and Regular All-Events in 2003. He has seven other top-10 finishes.
Harry Sullins
Sullins, a 58-year-old right-hander, will be the 50th bowler inducted in the Veterans category of the USBC Hall of Fame.
His resume includes five Professional Bowlers Association national titles, the first in 1986, along with 12 regional victories. He also has found continued success on the PBA50 Tour, earning three national titles and more than a dozen regional wins. His lone major championship was the 2009 PBA Senior World Championship.
Sullins is known for his longevity and owns the PBA record for consecutive tournament appearances with 239 from 1986-1993.
As a state and local standout, Sullins has earned 10 city championships and nine state titles, which helped earn him induction into the Metro Detroit Hall of Fame (2002) and Michigan State Bowling Association Hall of Fame (2003).
Joan Romeo
Romeo has worked in various roles supporting the International Bowling Media Association, World Bowling, International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum, California Bowling Writers and the Team USA program.
She has served as president (2012-2015) and vice president (2010-2012) of the IBMA, president of the California Bowling Writers, an executive coordinator role for World Bowling and as a trustee to the IBM/HOF.
Romeo's continued dedication to the sport has earned her some special awards, including the California Women's Bowling Association Distinguished Service Award, Columbia 300 Humanitarian Award, Bowling Writers Association of America Meritorious Service Award and BWAA President's Award.
Romeo is the mother of USBC Hall of Famer Robin Romeo and Tori Romeo, who also competed professionally.
Through 2015, there are 412 members of the USBC Hall of Fame - 215 in Superior Performance, 116 in Meritorious Service, 49 in Veterans, 20 in Pioneers and 12 in Outstanding USBC Performance.
The USBC Hall of Fame was created in 2005 by merging the former American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress Halls of Fame.
Two-time USBC Open Championships titlist Steve Kloempken of Pleasant View, Utah, will be enshrined in the Outstanding USBC Performance category, Professional Bowlers Association senior standout Harry Sullins of Chesterfield Township, Michigan, will become the newest name in the Veterans category and longtime bowling writer Joan Romeo of Van Nuys, California, will be recognized for years of service to the bowling industry.
The committee also slated eight bowlers for the Superior Performance national ballot that will be voted on by a panel of USBC Hall of Fame members, board members and veteran bowling writers.
The men's ballot includes Mike Durbin of Livingston, Texas; David Ozio and Mark Williams of Beaumont, Texas; Randy Pedersen of Clermont, Florida; Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas and Danny Wiseman of Baltimore.
The two competitors on the women's ballot are Kim Adler of Melbourne, Florida, and Tammy Turner of West Palm Beach, Florida.
The induction ceremony will take place April 28 at the 2016 USBC Convention in Las Vegas and will include those elected for Superior Performance.
A look at the newly elected USBC Hall of Famers:
Steve KloempkenThe 45-year-old right-hander's balanced resume includes international success as a past member of Team USA, a memorable collegiate stint at Wichita State and two victories on the sport's biggest stage at the USBC Open Championships.
Kloempken's two appearances on Team USA (1991, 1994), were highlighted by doubles and trios gold medals at the 1991 World Bowling Men's Championships in Singapore. That momentum carried over to his collegiate career, where he helped the Shockers to three consecutive victories at the Intercollegiate Team Championships from 1993-1995.
In 27 years at the Open Championships, Kloempken has a 213.5 average and won titles in Team All-Events in 1993 and Regular All-Events in 2003. He has seven other top-10 finishes.
Harry SullinsSullins, a 58-year-old right-hander, will be the 50th bowler inducted in the Veterans category of the USBC Hall of Fame.
His resume includes five Professional Bowlers Association national titles, the first in 1986, along with 12 regional victories. He also has found continued success on the PBA50 Tour, earning three national titles and more than a dozen regional wins. His lone major championship was the 2009 PBA Senior World Championship.
Sullins is known for his longevity and owns the PBA record for consecutive tournament appearances with 239 from 1986-1993.
As a state and local standout, Sullins has earned 10 city championships and nine state titles, which helped earn him induction into the Metro Detroit Hall of Fame (2002) and Michigan State Bowling Association Hall of Fame (2003).
Joan Romeo
Romeo has worked in various roles supporting the International Bowling Media Association, World Bowling, International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum, California Bowling Writers and the Team USA program.
She has served as president (2012-2015) and vice president (2010-2012) of the IBMA, president of the California Bowling Writers, an executive coordinator role for World Bowling and as a trustee to the IBM/HOF.
Romeo's continued dedication to the sport has earned her some special awards, including the California Women's Bowling Association Distinguished Service Award, Columbia 300 Humanitarian Award, Bowling Writers Association of America Meritorious Service Award and BWAA President's Award.
Romeo is the mother of USBC Hall of Famer Robin Romeo and Tori Romeo, who also competed professionally.
Through 2015, there are 412 members of the USBC Hall of Fame - 215 in Superior Performance, 116 in Meritorious Service, 49 in Veterans, 20 in Pioneers and 12 in Outstanding USBC Performance.
The USBC Hall of Fame was created in 2005 by merging the former American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress Halls of Fame.