BPAA TO HONOR CATHERINE DESOCIO WITH VICTOR LERNER MEMORIAL MEDAL

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2019 Bowling Industry Service Awards, the most prestigious awards presented by the association.

Catherine (Cathy) A. DeSocio (JOMA Bowling Company, Wichita, Kansas) has been selected as the 2019 BPAA Hall of Fame Inductee and recipient of the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal. The Lerner Medal is the highest honor awarded by the BPAA and recognizes an individual for a lifetime of service to the bowling industry and represents the recipient's induction into BPAA’s Hall of Fame located at the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington.

DeSocio is cited for her years of service to the industry, not only at the national level as BPAA President, interim executive director and committee member, but also at the local and state levels. As president of JOMA Company, she oversees the management of multiple centers in Kansas and Missouri. In 2014, in the absence of an executive director, DeSocio led the officer group in restructuring operations in BPAA’s office in Arlington and continues to serve on several committees, as well as on the USBC Board of Directors.

Jim Stubler (Illinois Valley Super Bowl, Peru, Illinois) will receive the coveted V.A. Wapensky Award, named after BPAA's long-time chief executive officer, “Chief” Wapensky. Stubler is being recognized not only for years of dedicated service as an officer and committee member at the state and national levels, but for extending his passion and love of the game beyond with a radio show and as a regular magazine and newspaper columnist.

John Janawicz (Winter Haven, Florida) will be recognized with the Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award, named after the legendary bowling icon, recognizing his many contributions to the game and sport of bowling, both on and off the lanes. Janawicz was a clear recipient of this award, being cited for his generosity with his time and always doing more than what is expected of him, as well as his classy attitude and graciousness.

Steve Wiemer (Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield, Missouri) will be recognized with the Ruben A. Dankoff Award for Public Policy and Legislative Service for his many years of service on the BPAA Government Affairs Committee and diligent work with legislative issues in the state of Missouri. The award recognizes an individual or organization who provides outstanding voluntary service on the federal, state or local government level in the development of legislation, public policy initiatives or other political efforts which benefit BPAA members or the industry as a whole.

Mandy Haws (Sooner Bowling Center, Norman, Oklahoma) will be recognized with the Special Projects award for her determined effort to help proprietors embrace social media. Haws was chairperson of the BPAA Social Media Committee and travels the country to educate association members on how to develop, obtain and share content on social media to enhance their business.

Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox outfielder, will receive the 2019 Media Award. Bowling a 300 game in the PBA Scorpion Championship last November at only his second PBA World Series of Bowling appearance gained him national media attention that has yet to wane. The media, rather it be television, radio, newspaper or magazine, loves to discuss Betts' professional-level bowling talent when discussing his prodigious baseball skills.

The Central Ohio USBC Association in Columbus, Ohio, will be recognized at the USBC Convention with the BPAA USBC Association Award, presented to a local USBC association that has demonstrated a high degree of cooperation with their local BPAA proprietor group. The relationship between BPAA and local USBC associations is critical as local associations represent the ‘consumer’ and BPAA member centers are the ‘playing fields’ for bowling. The BPAA appreciates how local USBC associations work with our member centers and acknowledges these relationships when they are exemplary.

Randy Thompson, BPAA President and Awards Committee Chairman, stated, “The job of this committee is always difficult, as there are so many selfless volunteers working hard to make our industry better. We thank them for their contributions and are pleased to honor them with these awards.”

The Bowling Industry Service Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, during International Bowl Expo 2019 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The Lerner Memorial Medal presentation will take place during the general session on Wednesday morning.

About BPAA
Founded in 1932, the mission of Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) is to enhance the profitability of its members. Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, at the International Bowling Campus, the BPAA offers it's over 3,400 member centers group purchasing programs, business and educational seminars, legislative representation and proactively promotes the association and bowling industry. For additional information please visit www.bpaa.com or call 1-800-343-1329.