Dave Norton elected to Indiana Bowling Association Hall of Fame
The late Dave Norton, who was elected to the Greater Calumet Area USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1992 and died at the age of 56 in 1997, was elected by approximately 105 delegates to the Indiana Bowling Association Convention in Indianapolis in the Outstanding Performance category.
Also being voted into the state Hall of Fame were Mark Milsap, owner of Ray's Lanes in Lake Station and a member of the Northwest Indiana Bowling Association board of directors, and Larry Taylor, past president of the IBA.
Norton, who made his living drilling bowling balls at various pro shops around the area, worked at the old Arco Bowling Supply in Calumet City, Ill., the Pro Shop at Plaza Lanes in Highland and at the Pro Shop at Olympia Lanes in Hammond.
"The state has finally recognized the talent that we have in Northwest Indiana," said Mike Kozy, of Griffith, GCABA president and an IBA board member. "We've known it all along and it's heartening to see the state delegates voting this way. We're proud of Dave's accomplishments and only wish that he were alive today to enjoy this as much as his friends do."
Norton, a Hammond native, was for four decades one of the best bowlers in the area. His accomplishments included being a part of the American Bowling Congress championships Team All-Events eagle in 1973 with the Skyway Lanes team. In 1978, he won the Indiana State tournament All-Events title and also claimed the Doubles actual and handicap title with Joe Trombetta of Hammond, who has also been elected to the state Hall of Fame and the USBC-GCA-BA Hall of Fame. In 1979, Norton fired a perfect game at the ABC Championships in Tampa, Fla. In his career, Norton recorded 10 300 games, six 299 games, two 800-plus series and had a high average of 225. Norton was a longtime fixture in the prestigious Northwest Indiana Classic League and other local scratch leagues.
Also at the convention, it was announced the the Northwest Indiana Bowling Association would host the 2009 state tournament. It will be conducted at Camelot Lanes in Portage and Stardust II in Merrillville.
Three standout youth bowlers have been named winners of the annual Greater Calumet Area USBC Bowling Association scholarships. Winners were (front row, from left): Kevin Quayle, Lansing, a 2007 TF South graduate who will attend the University of Illinois, $400; Ryan Slosser, Munster, a 2007 Munster High graduate who will attend Purdue University, $500; and Dan Woloszyn, Griffith, a 2007 Griffith High graduate who will also attend Purdue University, $300. Greater Calumet Scholarship Committee members on hand were (back row, from left): Glenn LeBlanc, Claude Jackson and Randy Jackman, 4th vice president.
