The Victor Lerner Memorial Medal was one of the first awards recommended in 1975 when the board of directors adopted an awards program. It was to be awarded to the person who had devoted a “lifetime of selfless service” to bowling and was not exclusive to proprietors prior to 1981. In 1986 the BPAA Hall of Fame wing of the International Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis was unveiled and this was to house the past and future Victor Lerner Memorial Medal winners and represent those individuals inducted into BPAA’s Hall of Fame.

Today the Lerner Medal is the highest honor awarded by the BPAA and still recognizes an individual for a lifetime of service to the bowling industry as well as induction into the BPAA’s Hall of Fame now located at the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas.

In 1975 when an awards program was adopted by the board of directors, the President’s Medal was one of the three initial awards proposed. The President’s Medal was to be awarded for outstanding service over the previous 18 months.

Today the President’s Award is presented to an individual, who in the eyes of the President, is judged to have given exceptional support and/or made significant contributions to the association.

In 1985 the “BPAA Special Award” was established to recognize an individual who had made a major contribution to the advancement of the bowling industry. In 1992 this award was renamed the V.A. Wapensky Award after BPAA’s long-time executive director, V. A. “Chief” Wapensky.

Today this award recognizes an individual whose overall major contribution to the advancement of the bowling industry involves endless good nature, remarkable business savvy, love for bowling and continual promotion of the game both locally and nationally.

At the 1975 board of directors meeting in Miami Beach, an awards program was initially adopted and Certificates of Achievement were one of the first awards created by then Executive Director Chief Wapensky and proposed by the Association Research and Study Committee. The Awards Committee was created as a result of the program and the Proprietor of the Year awards evolved from the Certificates of Achievement awards.

Today this prestigious award is presented to a proprietor for outstanding contributions to the industry and the sport of bowling. One who “pushes the envelope” of the industry and is successful at it…and willingly shares their knowledge with others to make the industry better.

2016 - Jim Chambers, Cloverleaf Family Bowl—Fremont, CA
2017 - John Losito, Sun Valley Lanes—Lincoln, NE
2018 - The Buffaloe Family, Buffaloe Lanes--Raleigh, NC
2019 - Mike Logan
2020 - Mike Divis
2021 - No Recipient
2022 - Don MacBrayne
2023 - Doug Bohannon
2024 - Steve Wiemer

In 2001 the Ruben A. Dankoff award for Public Policy and Legislative Service was created to recognize a proprietor or bowling industry leader who, or a proprietor organization which, provides outstanding voluntary service on the federal, state or local government levels in the development of legislation, public policy initiatives or other political efforts, which benefits BPAA members, the BPAA itself or the bowling industry as a whole.

2001 - Ruben A. Dankoff
2002 - Dick Tanner
2003 - Charlie Hall & PA BPA: Norm Brumberg, Doug Eiserman, Terry Brenneman & Al Blough
2004 - Bob Herbolsheimer
2005 - Jerry Ray
2006 - Ron Richard
2007 - Rex Golobic
2008 - Kenn Rockler
2009 - New York State BPA
2010 - Bob Stubler
2011 - No Recipient
2012 - No Recipient
2013 - Bill DeDominicis
2014 - David Bardon
2015 - Debra Bojè
2016 - Reggie Frederick
2017 - Roger Nyquist
2018 - No Recipient
2019 - Steve Wiemer
2020 - No Recipient
2021 - No Recipient
2022 - Bryce Smith
2023 - Alison Ibarra
2024 - Joe LaSpina

In 2005 the Dick Weber Ambassador Award was created as a way to continue the memory and legacy of bowling legend Dick Weber after his untimely passing. The award is named in his memory as he was bowling’s global ambassador who spent a lifetime setting the standard for all bowling athletes by elevating the positive image of bowling and promoting the game and sport of bowling to all ages both on and off the lanes. Weber was known as a tireless ambassador of the sport and rarely passed up an opportunity to promote it.

This award is presented to a bowling athlete who has consistently shown grace on and off the bowling lanes by promoting the game and sport of bowling in a positive manner.

2006 - Dick Ritger
2007 - Helen Duval
2008 - Carmen Salvino
2009 - Mike Aulby
2010 - Johnny Petraglia
2011 - Parker Bohn III
2012 - Norm Duke
2013 - Bob Hart
2014 - Carolyn Dorin-Ballard
2015 - Kelly Kulick
2016 - Lynda Barnes
2017 - Jason Belmonte
2018 - Shannon O'Keefe
2019 - John Janawicz
2020 - Tim Mack
2021 - No Recipient
2022 - Kyle Troup
2024 - Verity Crawley

In 1995 BPAA instituted the Special Projects Award to be presented to an individual (or individuals) recognizing their efforts and contributions on a particular special BPAA and/or bowling project.

Past Recipients

1995 - Jim Patrick
1996 - Hank Totzke
1997 - Ed Zitnik, Mike Hennessy
1998 - Ruth Macklin, Brett Dankoff, David Spiegel, Larry Moyes
1999 - Chuck Seiberling, Ron Tomassoni
2000 - Jeff Bojé, Alan Douglas, Rick Bourgeois
2001 - Peppe Smith, Bill Scheid, Bob Reid
2002 - Bob Jarlenski
2003 - Dave Haness
2004 - Don Labrecque, Roger Wiemer
2005 - Luby Publishing
2006 - Greg Olsen, Scott Bennett
2007 - C. J. Fox
2008 - Wally Hall
2009 - Hank Harris
2010 - Dan Labrecque
2011 - None Awarded
2011 - Bev Van Blair
2013 - Hall of Fame Xtravaganza
2014 - Natalie Savant
2015 - None Awarded
2016 - Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin
2017 - Dave Driscoll
2018 - Jack McCarthy
2019 - Mandy Haws
2020 - Daroll and Dolores Frewing
2021 - No Recipient
2022 - Classic Products

This award is presented to an individual or organization that has helped bring awareness to and promoted the bowling industry through media efforts.

Past Recipients

2003 - Rick Press, Fort Worth (TX) Star Telegram
2004 - Bud Fisher
2005 - Ellen DeGeneres
2006 - ESPN
2007 - Good Morning America
208 - Matt Fiorito, Detroit Free Press
2009 - Kent Lowe – Baton Rouge Advocate
2010 - No Recipient
2011 - ESPN Radio Mike and Mike in the Morning
2012 - No Recipient
2013 - John & Joe Laspina
2014 - Chicago Sun-Times
2015 - Kids Bowl Free
2016 - Dude Perfect
2017 - Kevin Hong
2018 - Keith Hamilton
2019 - Mookie Betts
2020 - Tom Clark
2021 - No Recipient
2022 - Dave Portnoy
2024 - Amleto Monacelli

Originally Best WIBC Local Association Award and Best ABC Local Association Award and after merger award became the BPAA USBC Association Award. Recognizes exemplary USBC associations that demonstrate a high degree of cooperation and collaboration with their local proprietors.

This relationship is critical since local associations represent the “consumer” and BPAA member centers are the “playing fields” for bowling. BPAA appreciates how local USBC associations work with member centers and acknowledges examples of how this relationship can work at the highest level.

1999 - ABC Award - Albuquerque Bowling Association
WIBC - Tampa Women’s Bowling Association

2000 - ABC - Oscoda Bowling Association
WIBC - Meridian Women’s Bowling Association

2001 - ABC - Greater St. Paul Bowling Association
WIBC - Bellefontaine (OH) Women’s Bowling Association

2002 - ABC - Lexington Area Bowling Association
WIBC - Lexington Women’s Bowling Association

2003 - ABC - Norfolk Bowling Association
WIBC - Tidewater Women’s Bowling Association

2005 - ABC - Dodge City (KS) Bowling Association
WIBC - San Diego Women’s Bowling Association

2006 - Great Plains USBC
2007 - Staten Island USBC
2008 - Suburban Windy City USBC
2009 - No winner
2010 - No winner
2011 - Greater Killeen-Fort Hood USBC
2012 - No winner
2013 - No winner
2014 - Harrisburg USBC
2015 - Metro Detroit USBC
2016 - Greater San Antonio USBC
2017 - Greater Baton Rouge USBC
2018 - Southern Nevada USBC
2019 - Central Ohio USBC
2020 - The Sarasota Manatee USBC Association
2021 - No Recipient
2022 - The North Central Texas USBC Association
2023 - Louisville Metro USBC
2024 - Greater Tampa USBC Association

“The BPAA is pleased to honor these award recipients for their outstanding service to the industry and hopes they inspire others to share their passion for bowling with others,” Randy Thompson, BPAA President and Awards Committee Chairman, said.