Nice tribute to Chuck from the IBMA International Bowling Media Association Hall of Famer Chuck Pezzano died January 23 at 86; and his passing reminds us that bowling, because of people like him, is a sport known and enjoyed today across the globe. That will be his legacy. It is with a heavy heart we report that while the bowling world lost an icon this week, the IBMA lost a dear friend and colleague, said IBMA President Joan Romeo. Personally I am deeply saddened, as our friendship goes back to our east coast days, over 30 years and it was because of his influence that I became a member of the bowling writers organization. To say Chuck Pezzano was bowlings most famous and prolific journalist is the understatement of the century. No one ever has, or ever will surpass the sheer volume of positive publicity he generated for the sport in an incredible career spanning more that 60 years. Often called the Dean of Bowling Writers, Pezzano earned his stripes starting at the tender age of 19 while a student at Rutgers University. After a two year stint in the U.S. Army, Pezzano majored in English at Rutgers and earned his Bachelors Degree. As a writer and public speaker, he was a natural. In his junior year, the editor of the Patterson (NJ) Morning Call noticed his talent and hired him to write three bowling columns per week. His column was called Down My Alley; and it was so popular, it led to three golf columns per week entitled Down the Fairways. Soon after, he was the papers lead sports writer, turning out five sports columns per week in addition to his three bowling offerings. And all the while he had become one of the top bowlers in his region; the first college student to ever roll an 800 series. He shot 824 in 1951. In 1958, he helped organize and became one of the charter members of the Professional Bowlers Association, and became their historian; a position he held for life. He was also very involved in the short lived National Bowling League, serving as Team Manager of the New York Gladiators team. His proudest achievements on the lanes, however, revolved around family. Chuck and his four sons, Chuck Jr, Curt, Clay and Craig were the first father and four sons to record sanctioned 300 games. He was also very proud that Chuck, Curt and Clay followed in his footsteps to become captains of their college bowling teams. Chuck Sr. at Rutgers, Chuck Jr. at Pace University, Curt at the University of Miami, and Clay at Bergen College. Pezzano would often go out of his way to help individuals or groups that needed a friend. Two examples were his work with womens groups and youth bowling. He was the driving force behind allowing women to join the bowling writers organizations; and he served for many years on the Womens International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame board. In youth bowling, he helped organize the nations first high school bowling program in New Jersey, and never stopped singing its praises for the rest of his life. Pezzano also made his mark as the author of more than a dozen books on bowling, and easily more than 10,000 columns, magazine articles and press releases for numerous organizations. He was the king of print journalism, but he was also one of the early pioneers in sports television, working behind the scenes and handling announcing duties. Pezzano and his close friend Frank Esposito worked with and mentored such famous sports announcers as Mel Allen, Jack Buck, and Pat Summerall, to name only a few; And of course, bowlings most famous announcing duo, Chris Schenkel and Nelson Burton Jr. I worked with more than 70 announcers in one way or another Pezzano told Stars & Strikes in a 1994 interview. Chuck was the consummate bowling journalist, said Burton. He was an excellent teacher and ambassador, and always did his best to personalize bowling. In my early days on television, he helped me enormously. I got a lot of the quips I used on air from him. He will be missed by anyone who ever met him or read his articles, and that is a lot of people. Pezzanos fellow journalists knew a side of him we seldom saw in print . . . he loved a good bowling argument, and more than held his own. Pezzano was often seen at bowling events in the company of his bowling brothers - John Jowdy, Dick Evans and Joe Lyou; the four musketeers they were affectionately labeled. They loved each other like brothers, and they argued like brothers. Chances are they are enjoying a heavenly but lively discussion right now. Pezzano often challenged writers and experts, even those he mentored, when he saw something a little differently. Bowlers Journal publisher Mort Luby Jr. and iconic bowling coach Bill Taylor were two of his favorite debate partners. Chuck was the most versatile journalist in bowling. He not only wrote newspaper columns, magazine articles and books but he was also active in the electronic media. He worked in TV production for the PBA for many years, said Luby. No writer knew more about the PBA. As one of its original members, his writings reflected his knowledge and devotion to the sports most visible organization. He was also a very nice guy. Although we had some ferocious arguments over the years, we remained close friends. He called about two months ago, just to chat. In that 94 Stars & Strikes interview, Pezzano departed from his usual very positive spin; sounded off about bowling technology, and agreed with Taylor about equipment, but not with his method of seeking change. I think we should have been tougher on equipment changes when the first dynamic balls started to come out. I think the same thing has happened with pins. I think if Bill Taylor had a better approach with people, he could have really accomplished something for our sport he said. When Taylor won the prestigious BWAA Rip Van Winkle Award, Pezzano was the first to offer his sincere congratulations. IBMA Past President Jim Goodwin and Hall of Fame member Joan Taylor were two of Pezzanos students who turned to him often for wisdom and an accurate history lesson. I enjoyed our times together at meetings and conventions, and our frequent phone calls in recent years. He was a good friend, mentor, and a walking encyclopedia of bowling knowledge and history, said Goodwin. Ill never forget his generous spirit and good humor, and how proud he was of all aspects of bowling. Chuck always welcomed new writers, and was especially proud when women became leaders in the bowling community or industry. He would cite Pearl Keller being president of the BWAA (Bowling Writers Association of America) as one example. He called me his protégé from Day One and when I started winning awards he said; Now Im YOUR protégé. For 60 years he wrote a weekly bowling column. Nobody can come close to that record, said Taylor. Chuck Pezzano was inducted in 17 Halls of Fame during his career. He deserved every one. But it is the thousands of lives that he touched and made better that will be his greatest legacy.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 00:58:42 +0000
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