ESPN spotlights Pete Weber with “The Bad Boy of Bowling”
February 25, 2016
“Who do you think you are? I am!”
Eight words, one question and one overly energetic two-word statement not only had the bowling world buzzing, but had everybody talking about United States Bowling Congress and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Pete Weber.
Weber embraced those words after delivering a strike to win his record fifth U.S. Open title in 2012, surpassing his legendary father, Dick Weber, and fellow hall of famer Don Carter, for the most career titles at one of bowling’s most prestigious events.
Now, Weber’s tale and how he helped revitalize the sport on the professional level will be told on ESPN’s 30 for 30 “The Bad Boy of Bowling.” The documentary will debut Friday, Feb. 26 as a part of ESPN’s Friday Night Movie Night segment on SportsCenter starting at 6 p.m. Eastern.
As one of the most animated competitors to ever find himself underneath television’s bright lights, the sunglass-wearing 10-time major champion has not been afraid to be loved or loathed on the lanes, and he always finds a way to capture everyone’s attention at bowling’s biggest events, like the U.S. Open or USBC Masters.
The U.S. Open, which returned in 2015 as part of an agreement between USBC and Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, arguably is the most demanding event in the sport, requiring 56 games on a challenging lane condition just to make it to the televised stepladder finals. Just as a note, the 53-year-old Weber advanced to the show once again as the tournament returned in 2015, where he fell short of adding a sixth green jacket to his collection, finishing in third place.
The Masters, which is showcased as part of the PBA Tour schedule through a sponsorship deal between USBC and the PBA, is bowling’s version of March Madness. The top players from across the globe bowl 15 games of qualifying in hopes of being one of the 64 competitors to advance to the double-elimination match-play bracket. Once bracket play starts, anything can happen on the way to the live stepladder finals.
The Masters is the one title that has eluded Weber throughout the years, but he recently captured a USBC Senior Masters title in 2013. The Senior Masters gives the top players age 50 and older the opportunity to experience the same excitement found at the Masters.
USBC tournaments like the Masters, U.S. Open, USBC Open and Women’s Championships as well as the recently relaunched Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour, provide a future for the sport by giving bowlers the opportunity to lace up their bowling shoes on a national stage alongside some of the sport’s biggest names.
The events also give the next generation of bowlers a platform to begin to building their own legacies. There only can be one Pete Weber, but who will be the sport’s next great name that crosses into the mainstream?
By looking at the growth of the sport in the youth and collegiate ranks, plenty of young men and women are ready to proclaim, “I am.”
Eight words, one question and one overly energetic two-word statement not only had the bowling world buzzing, but had everybody talking about United States Bowling Congress and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Pete Weber.
Weber embraced those words after delivering a strike to win his record fifth U.S. Open title in 2012, surpassing his legendary father, Dick Weber, and fellow hall of famer Don Carter, for the most career titles at one of bowling’s most prestigious events.
Now, Weber’s tale and how he helped revitalize the sport on the professional level will be told on ESPN’s 30 for 30 “The Bad Boy of Bowling.” The documentary will debut Friday, Feb. 26 as a part of ESPN’s Friday Night Movie Night segment on SportsCenter starting at 6 p.m. Eastern.
As one of the most animated competitors to ever find himself underneath television’s bright lights, the sunglass-wearing 10-time major champion has not been afraid to be loved or loathed on the lanes, and he always finds a way to capture everyone’s attention at bowling’s biggest events, like the U.S. Open or USBC Masters.
The U.S. Open, which returned in 2015 as part of an agreement between USBC and Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, arguably is the most demanding event in the sport, requiring 56 games on a challenging lane condition just to make it to the televised stepladder finals. Just as a note, the 53-year-old Weber advanced to the show once again as the tournament returned in 2015, where he fell short of adding a sixth green jacket to his collection, finishing in third place.
The Masters, which is showcased as part of the PBA Tour schedule through a sponsorship deal between USBC and the PBA, is bowling’s version of March Madness. The top players from across the globe bowl 15 games of qualifying in hopes of being one of the 64 competitors to advance to the double-elimination match-play bracket. Once bracket play starts, anything can happen on the way to the live stepladder finals.
The Masters is the one title that has eluded Weber throughout the years, but he recently captured a USBC Senior Masters title in 2013. The Senior Masters gives the top players age 50 and older the opportunity to experience the same excitement found at the Masters.
USBC tournaments like the Masters, U.S. Open, USBC Open and Women’s Championships as well as the recently relaunched Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour, provide a future for the sport by giving bowlers the opportunity to lace up their bowling shoes on a national stage alongside some of the sport’s biggest names.
The events also give the next generation of bowlers a platform to begin to building their own legacies. There only can be one Pete Weber, but who will be the sport’s next great name that crosses into the mainstream?
By looking at the growth of the sport in the youth and collegiate ranks, plenty of young men and women are ready to proclaim, “I am.”