President's Medal Award
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.
2025 - Mandy Haws
2024 - Brian Borowski
2023 - Amy Arcuri
2022 - Roger Nyquist
2021 - No Recipient
2020 - Andy Bartholomy
2019 - Jamie Brooks
2018 - Diane Voight
2017 - Scott Devers
2016 - Jeff Bojè
2015 - Cathy DeSocio
2014 - Kevin Krauss
2013 - Dick & Tim Corley
2012 - John Losito
2011 - Mark Voight
2010 - Tom Martino
2009 - Larry Moyes
2008 - Ed Zitnik
2007 - Jack Moran
2006 - Rex Haney
2005 - Michael Ducat
2004 - Patrick Ciniello
2003 - Cathy Cooper
2002 - Alan Douglas
2001 - Ruth Macklin
2000 - Frank DeSocio
1999 - Jerry Ray
1998 - Kurt Brose
1997 - Dennis Fanucchi
1996 - John LaSpina
1995 - Bruce Davis
1994 - Howard Baum
1993 - Marcel Fournier
1992 - Jack Thomas
1991 - Al Winkel
1990 - Sonny Frantz
1989 - Don Drooker
1988 - Pete Santora
1987 - Syl Sobanski
1986 - Walter Hall
1985 - Al Hurwitz
1984 - Ruben Dankoff
1983 - Rex Golobic
1982 - Don Hillman
1981 - Nick Mormando
1980 - Neil Scherbarth
1979 - Billy Williams
1978 - Frank Caprise
1977 - Don Lowry
1976 - Manny Levy
V.A. Wapensky Award
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.
2025 - Ricky Bourgeois
2024 - Keith Hamilton
2022 - Hiroshi Funaki
2021 - No Recipient
2020 - Roger Philipi
2019 - Jim Stubler
2018 - Albert Blough
2017 - Andy Bartholomy
2016 - Rick Goins
2015 - Bill Chrisman
2014 - Gary Forman
2013 - Hero Noda
2012 - John Davis
2011 - Bob Gudorf
2010 - Roger Dalkin
2009 - Mike Hennessy
2008 - Bruce Davis
2007 - Dick Evans
2006 - Sylvia Broyles
2005 - Frank Esposito
2004 - Alton Forbes
2003 - Hazel McLeary
2002 - Chuck Pezzano
2001 - Dick Weber
2000 - Joe Schoenberg
1999 - Jim Dressel
1998 - John Sommer, Jr.
1997 - Joyce Deitch
1996 - Allen Crown
1995 - Helen Duval
1994 - Sandy Hansell
1993 - Keijiro Nakano
1992 - Jim Bennett
1991 - Flora Mitchell
1990 - Remo Picchietti
1989 - Chris Schenkel
1988 - Jack Reichert
1987 - Mort Luby
1986 - Roger Tessman
1985 - Eddie Elias
Proprietor of the Year Award
At the 1975 board of directors meeting in Miami Beach, an awards program was initially adopted and Certificates of Achievement were among the first awards created by then–Executive Director Chief Wapensky and proposed by the Association Research and Study Committee. The Awards Committee was formed as a result of the program, and the Proprietor of the Year Award evolved from the Certificates of Achievement.
Today, this prestigious award is presented to a proprietor for outstanding contributions to the industry and the sport of bowling. The recipient is someone who “pushes the envelope” of the industry, finds success, and willingly shares their knowledge with others to make the industry better.
2025 – Larry Nowak
2024 – Steve Wiemer
2023 – Doug Bohannon
2022 – Don MacBrayne
2021 – No Recipient
2020 – Mike Divis
2019 – Mike Logan
2018 – The Buffaloe Family, Buffaloe Lanes — Raleigh, NC
2017 – John Losito, Sun Valley Lanes — Lincoln, NE
2016 – Jim Chambers, Cloverleaf Family Bowl — Fremont, CA
Ruben A. Dankoff Award
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.
2025 – No Recipient
2024 – Joe LaSpina
2023 – Alison Ibarra
2022 – Bryce Smith
2021 – No Recipient
2020 – No Recipient
2019 – Steve Wiemer
2018 – No Recipient
2017 – Roger Nyquist
2016 – Reggie Frederick
2015 – Debra Bojè
2014 – David Bardon
2013 – Bill DeDominicis
2012 – No Recipient
2011 – No Recipient
2010 – Bob Stubler
2009 – New York State BPA
2008 – Kenn Rockler
2006 – Ron Richard
2005 – Jerry Ray
2004 – Bob Herbolsheimer
2003 – Charlie Hall & PA BPA: Norm Brumberg, Doug Eiserman, Terry Brenneman & Al Blough
2002 – Dick Tanner
2001 – Ruben A. Dankoff
Dick Weber Award
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.
2025 – No Recipient
2024 – Verity Crawley
2022 – Kyle Troup
2021 – No Recipient
2020 – Tim Mack
2019 – John Janawicz
2018 – Shannon O'Keefe
2017 – Jason Belmonte
2016 – Lynda Barnes
2015 – Kelly Kulick
2014 – Carolyn Dorin-Ballard
2013 – Bob Hart
2012 – Norm Duke
2011 – Parker Bohn III
2010 – Johnny Petraglia
2009 – Mike Aulby
2008 – Carmen Salvino
2007 – Helen Duval
2006 – Dick Ritger
Special Projects Award
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.
2025 – Laurie Clower
2022 – Classic Products
2021 – No Recipient
2020 – Daroll and Dolores Frewing
2019 – Mandy Haws
2018 – Jack McCarthy
2017 – Dave Driscoll
2016 – Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin
2015 – None Awarded
2014 – Natalie Savant
2013 – Hall of Fame Xtravaganza
2011 – Bev Van Blair
2011 – None Awarded
2010 – Dan Labrecque
2009 – Hank Harris
2008 – Wally Hall
2007 – C. J. Fox
2006 – Greg Olsen, Scott Bennett
2005 – Luby Publishing
2004 – Don Labrecque, Roger Wiemer
2003 – Dave Haness
2002 – Bob Jarlenski
2001 – Peppe Smith, Bill Scheid, Bob Reid
2000 – Jeff Bojé, Alan Douglas, Rick Bourgeois
1999 – Chuck Seiberling, Ron Tomassoni
1998 – Ruth Macklin, Brett Dankoff, David Spiegel, Larry Moyes
1997 – Ed Zitnik, Mike Hennessy
1996 – Hank Totzke
1995 – Jim Patrick
BPAA Media Award
This award is presented to an individual or organization that has helped bring awareness to and promoted the bowling industry through media efforts.
2025 – No Recipient
2024 – Amleto Monacelli
2022 – Dave Portnoy
2021 – No Recipient
2020 – Tom Clark
2019 – Mookie Betts
2018 – Keith Hamilton
2017 – Kevin Hong
2016 – Dude Perfect
2015 – Kids Bowl Free
2014 – Chicago Sun-Times
2013 – John & Joe Laspina
2012 – No Recipient
2011 – ESPN Radio Mike and Mike in the Morning
2010 – No Recipient
2009 – Kent Lowe – Baton Rouge Advocate
2008 – Matt Fiorito, Detroit Free Press
2007 – Good Morning America
2006 – ESPN
2005 – Ellen DeGeneres
2004 – Bud Fisher
2003 – Rick Press, Fort Worth (TX) Star Telegram
BPAA USBC Association Award
Originally Best WIBC Local Association Award and Best ABC Local Association Award, and after the merger 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.
2025 – No Recipient
2024 – Greater Tampa USBC Association
2023 – Louisville Metro USBC
2022 – The North Central Texas USBC Association
2021 – No Recipient
2020 – The Sarasota Manatee USBC Association
2019 – Central Ohio USBC
2018 – Southern Nevada USBC
2017 – Greater Baton Rouge USBC
2016 – Greater San Antonio USBC
2015 – Metro Detroit USBC
2014 – Harrisburg USBC
2013 – No winner
2012 – No winner
2011 – Greater Killeen-Fort Hood USBC
2010 – No winner
2009 – No winner
2008 – Suburban Windy City USBC
2007 – Staten Island USBC
2006 – Great Plains USBC
2005 – ABC - Dodge City (KS) Bowling Association / WIBC - San Diego Women’s Bowling Association
2003 – ABC - Norfolk Bowling Association / WIBC - Tidewater Women’s Bowling Association
2002 – ABC - Lexington Area Bowling Association / WIBC - Lexington Women’s Bowling Association
2001 – ABC - Greater St. Paul Bowling Association / WIBC - Bellefontaine (OH) Women’s Bowling Association
2000 – ABC - Oscoda Bowling Association / WIBC - Meridian Women’s Bowling Association
1999 – ABC Award - Albuquerque Bowling Association / WIBC - Tampa Women’s Bowling Association