Emma Hendrickson, 100, credits staying active and the value of volunteering
March 09, 2010
Once upon a day, Emma Hendrickson used to set up bowling pins at the local YMCA as part of an ongoing commitment to her favorite sport. The self-described "Judge Judy" of New Jersey bowling protocol, she worked as a secretary at the Y and pitched in at miscellaneous tasks such as pinsetter when the regular pinsetter didn't report for work.
"So many things have happened in my life and revolved around bowling that people are always wondering if I got paid for them," said Hendrickson, a hall-of-famer from Morris Plains. "But I value volunteer work so much, and if I had any time I always helped."
Hendrickson served on the state bowling board for 25 years, and even today can't get the sport out of her mind. She analyzes every event, and if there are any area tournaments, she tries to be first in line to take part.
And it was that drive that made 2009 a memorable year for the centurion. At the USBC Women's Championships in Reno, Nev., she established the record for oldest participant and also collected a plaque for 50 years of consecutive attendance. Limo transport and a special USBC ceremony marked that event, and the 100-year-old is still settling back after the whirlwind of interest.
"It's so interesting to see all that's happened - it's still hard to believe," Hendrickson said. "It's been so exciting to be at the center of all this attention."
Her remarkable tournament longevity received ample attention in the Reno media as she bested the record shared with 99-year-old Ethel Brunnick of Santa Monica, Calif., who competed in the 1987 Women's Championships.
National celebrity status followed a warm-up strike ball and victorious fist bump with USBC Women's Championships tournament manager Eric Pierson. ESPN featured her on the Top 10 Sports Plays of that week and suddenly Hendrickson was in demand. According to Hendrickson, nearly 200 TV stations alone, stretching as far away as Australia, wanted to hear her homespun bowling insights and discuss her story.
In May, Hendrickson's televised bowl-off with Live! With Regis and Kelly co-host Regis Philbin led to a nomination for the show's Sensational Senior Award. She took first place, and now proudly displays the gold statuette of a director's chair called a Relly, complete with the stuffed bear Hendrickson added to its empty golden seat.
"Regis wanted people with different views for the show for viewer interest," Hendrickson said. "He was truly a kind and considerate gentleman - and just the same off the show as on it - asking me several times if I was OK. At my age, I guess he figured anything was liable to happen; he didn't want me to throw the ball and go down with it."
Philbin also had Team Emma shirts made for some of her entourage, presenting them before the show. Although he later beat her on the lanes, she jokes that she let him win. But still credits him as being "one of us."
In the fall, Hendrickson again rode by limo as bowling spokesperson for the state's Senior Olympics in Woodbridge, N.J., for which she has since volunteered to serve as liaison. That city hosted an outdoor bowling event that was later rained out, but it offered her a chance of a lifetime - maybe two, she says.
"As a longtime bowler, I was thrilled to meet the pros who participated in it," she said. "Those are special moments for me, as are the times I get surprised by how many men say that I inspire them."
Hendrickson has had to learn to deal with signs of aging, such as diminished vision which causes an inability at times to view all the pins. The resulting fog-like vision is countered by her asking teammates which pins are standing, then aiming at them from memory.
"Years of practice and league bowling have taught me that," she said. "I checked to see if it violated any USBC rules to receive such help, but was assured that it was OK for teammates to advise me."
Her proclivity to write uphill as well as leaning and throwing to the left was caused by a slight stroke that occurred three years ago. It went undetected for a while, but doctors confirmed what caused the damage.
Her family and fans encourage her to stay the course, a remedy she espouses for others suffering with aches and pains. Although her two weekly leagues were trimmed back for 2010 when one folded, she philosophically fights through shoulder and wrist pain to maintain a 120 average.
"I urge people to shake off pains of aging and stay active with bowling," she said. "After all, that's what I have done and people tell me I am leading by example that it can be done."
"So many things have happened in my life and revolved around bowling that people are always wondering if I got paid for them," said Hendrickson, a hall-of-famer from Morris Plains. "But I value volunteer work so much, and if I had any time I always helped."
Hendrickson served on the state bowling board for 25 years, and even today can't get the sport out of her mind. She analyzes every event, and if there are any area tournaments, she tries to be first in line to take part.
And it was that drive that made 2009 a memorable year for the centurion. At the USBC Women's Championships in Reno, Nev., she established the record for oldest participant and also collected a plaque for 50 years of consecutive attendance. Limo transport and a special USBC ceremony marked that event, and the 100-year-old is still settling back after the whirlwind of interest.
"It's so interesting to see all that's happened - it's still hard to believe," Hendrickson said. "It's been so exciting to be at the center of all this attention."
Her remarkable tournament longevity received ample attention in the Reno media as she bested the record shared with 99-year-old Ethel Brunnick of Santa Monica, Calif., who competed in the 1987 Women's Championships.
National celebrity status followed a warm-up strike ball and victorious fist bump with USBC Women's Championships tournament manager Eric Pierson. ESPN featured her on the Top 10 Sports Plays of that week and suddenly Hendrickson was in demand. According to Hendrickson, nearly 200 TV stations alone, stretching as far away as Australia, wanted to hear her homespun bowling insights and discuss her story.
In May, Hendrickson's televised bowl-off with Live! With Regis and Kelly co-host Regis Philbin led to a nomination for the show's Sensational Senior Award. She took first place, and now proudly displays the gold statuette of a director's chair called a Relly, complete with the stuffed bear Hendrickson added to its empty golden seat.
"Regis wanted people with different views for the show for viewer interest," Hendrickson said. "He was truly a kind and considerate gentleman - and just the same off the show as on it - asking me several times if I was OK. At my age, I guess he figured anything was liable to happen; he didn't want me to throw the ball and go down with it."
Philbin also had Team Emma shirts made for some of her entourage, presenting them before the show. Although he later beat her on the lanes, she jokes that she let him win. But still credits him as being "one of us."
In the fall, Hendrickson again rode by limo as bowling spokesperson for the state's Senior Olympics in Woodbridge, N.J., for which she has since volunteered to serve as liaison. That city hosted an outdoor bowling event that was later rained out, but it offered her a chance of a lifetime - maybe two, she says.
"As a longtime bowler, I was thrilled to meet the pros who participated in it," she said. "Those are special moments for me, as are the times I get surprised by how many men say that I inspire them."
Hendrickson has had to learn to deal with signs of aging, such as diminished vision which causes an inability at times to view all the pins. The resulting fog-like vision is countered by her asking teammates which pins are standing, then aiming at them from memory.
"Years of practice and league bowling have taught me that," she said. "I checked to see if it violated any USBC rules to receive such help, but was assured that it was OK for teammates to advise me."
Her proclivity to write uphill as well as leaning and throwing to the left was caused by a slight stroke that occurred three years ago. It went undetected for a while, but doctors confirmed what caused the damage.
Her family and fans encourage her to stay the course, a remedy she espouses for others suffering with aches and pains. Although her two weekly leagues were trimmed back for 2010 when one folded, she philosophically fights through shoulder and wrist pain to maintain a 120 average.
"I urge people to shake off pains of aging and stay active with bowling," she said. "After all, that's what I have done and people tell me I am leading by example that it can be done."