Zebehazy selected to receive
USBC Kerm Helmer Horizon Award

Jim Zebehazy, the former Executive Director of the Young American Bowling Alliance who has worked in the bowling industry for more than 26 years, has been selected by the United States Bowling Congress Youth Committee to receive the 2010 USBC Kerm Helmer Horizon Award.

“I had the good fortune to get to know and work with Kerm Helmer,” said Zebehazy, 56, of Leesburg, Fla. “He was someone who dedicated his life to the betterment of youth bowling. He became a good friend and mentor who helped me fully understand the meaning of the phrase, ‘The youth are our future.’ To win an award named in his honor is something that I never dreamed of, but humbly accept.”

Named for the team founder and longtime bowling coach at Erie Community College, the Kerm Helmer Horizon Award recognizes leaders in the youth bowling community who have displayed the courage, determination and ability to develop far-reaching programs of national scope that provide fun and exciting opportunities. Helmer was selected posthumously for the inaugural award in 2003.

Zebehazy started his career in the bowling industry in the early 1980s as a field representative for the American Bowling Congress before taking over as ABC’s Group Executive for Field Service in 1990.

In 1998, he was named Executive Director of YABA, a position he held until the merger of the sport’s major organizations to form USBC in 2005. During his tenure with YABA, several new programs, including what is known today as the USBC Junior Gold program, were developed to provide more competitive and scholarship opportunities for youth bowlers. He currently works as a field representative for USBC.

“Jim Zebehazy has dedicated his life to the sport of bowling, and in doing so, Jim has helped countless people, especially kids,” Michael Nyitray, a USBC Gold coach and the 2009 USBC Kerm Helmer Horizon Award winner, said in nominating Zebehazy.

Zebehazy will be presented the award during the USBC Convention, April 28-May 1 in Reno, Nev. To learn more about USBC awards and this year’s USBC Convention, visit BOWL.com.



USBC Kerm Helmer Horizon Award winners
2004 Kerm Helmer, Cheektowaga, N.Y.
2005 John Sommer Jr., Rockford, Ill.
2006 Glenn Carlson, Fresno, Calif.
2007 Jeffrey Frye, Hackettstown, N.J.
2008 Jack Thomas, Sacramento, Calif.
2009 Michael Nyitray, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
2010 Jim Zebehazy, Leesburg, Fla.