Illinois bowler celebrates 50 years at 2026 USBC Open Championships
April 22, 2026
RENO, Nev. – The friendships built through bowling have always been a big thing for Brian Fischer of Westchester, Illinois.
As he addressed many of those friends and family members at the National Bowling Stadium ahead of his 50th consecutive appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, his words magnified what the journey to the milestone has meant to him.
“For me, it’s not just about bowling or winning,” said Fischer as part of his presentation. “Participation and competition are fun. But when I look back, what I focus on most are the amazing places I have seen and the fantastic people I have met, including many who have become lifelong friends and many who are here with me today.
“It’s clear to me that without bowling, I doubt I ever would’ve gone to all these locations and certainly would not have met so many great people.”
The 68-year-old made his ceremonial march to the lanes alongside his nieces – Michelle, Laura and Sarah – and nephew – Eric – and was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at the tournament.
In all, nearly 20 family members and close friends made the trip to Reno for the occasion. Although making sure everyone knew the right time and place made for a long day, Fischer was thrilled they were able to be part of the experience.
“I started preparing about a year ahead of time and asked my family to come,” Fischer said. “Between family and friends, there’s almost 20 of us here, and it’s pretty amazing. Walking out, I almost lost it. It was pretty emotional.
“My nieces and nephews are my heart and soul. When I asked them if they would walk out with me, they said of course.”
Fischer started bowling in the mid-1960s after his mother started a junior bowling league, and he made his first trip to the Open Championships during the 1976 event in Oklahoma City.
He posted his first 1,800 in all-events (1,838) at the 1978 event in St. Louis and followed in Tampa, Florida, during the 1979 event with his first 700 series at the tournament (703 in doubles) and 1,900 tally in all-events (1,914).
During the 1982 event in Baltimore, Fischer made a run at the lead in Regular Singles. He finished with a 731 series to move into second place by a pin and closed the tournament in third place. He rolled games of 248, 258 and 225.
He also placed in the top 25 of all-events that year with 1,926, adding sets of 654 in doubles and 541 in team.
“Historically, I haven’t bowled really well in the team event,” Fischer said. “I had just got a new ball – I believe it was a Mark X – and it felt really good, but the ball didn’t react really well when I used it in the team event. The next day, I think I used a Yellow Dot and White Dot. I bowled really well and got locked in during singles.
“I had 248 and 258, and I could have taken the lead. I left a baby split in the ninth frame and missed it. I struck on the first ball in the 10th but left a 10 pin on the next shot and picked it up. It was really exciting, but I was really nervous getting toward the end. I’ve ended up making the leaderboard numerous times – maybe six times – before leaving. It’s the thrill of lifetime to have your name on the leaderboard before you leave.”
Some other big showings at the Open Championships included a 746 series in doubles during the 1995 event at the National Bowling Stadium, and his top all-events score took place in 2000 (2,070 in Albuquerque, New Mexico).
Through 50 appearances at the Open Championships, Fischer has maintained a career average of 193.6, knocking down 87,162 pins along the way.
“I’ve had some good accomplishments, and I worked for them – I bowled a lot,” Fischer said. “The most important thing, though, was the places I got to see and the people I met. I’ve met some really wonderful people and made some lifelong friends through bowling, and that’s irreplaceable.”
Fischer noted several trips to France to compete, too, which also resulted in meeting new people and creating friendships that still are ongoing today. He finished 10th during one of those overseas events as well.
The Open Championships always had a place on the calendar for Fischer to continue to build those relationships through the sport.
“I planned my year around most of them,” Fischer said. “There’s something about this tournament – it’s always special. Standing and getting ready to bowl, playing the national anthem – to me it almost feels like the Olympics. It’s the culmination of the bowling season and is the national championship. The big thing for me as I look back, though, coming here every year, are the friendships, the places and the people I’ve met.”
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
As he addressed many of those friends and family members at the National Bowling Stadium ahead of his 50th consecutive appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, his words magnified what the journey to the milestone has meant to him.
“For me, it’s not just about bowling or winning,” said Fischer as part of his presentation. “Participation and competition are fun. But when I look back, what I focus on most are the amazing places I have seen and the fantastic people I have met, including many who have become lifelong friends and many who are here with me today.
“It’s clear to me that without bowling, I doubt I ever would’ve gone to all these locations and certainly would not have met so many great people.”
The 68-year-old made his ceremonial march to the lanes alongside his nieces – Michelle, Laura and Sarah – and nephew – Eric – and was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at the tournament.
In all, nearly 20 family members and close friends made the trip to Reno for the occasion. Although making sure everyone knew the right time and place made for a long day, Fischer was thrilled they were able to be part of the experience.
“I started preparing about a year ahead of time and asked my family to come,” Fischer said. “Between family and friends, there’s almost 20 of us here, and it’s pretty amazing. Walking out, I almost lost it. It was pretty emotional.
“My nieces and nephews are my heart and soul. When I asked them if they would walk out with me, they said of course.”
Fischer started bowling in the mid-1960s after his mother started a junior bowling league, and he made his first trip to the Open Championships during the 1976 event in Oklahoma City.
He posted his first 1,800 in all-events (1,838) at the 1978 event in St. Louis and followed in Tampa, Florida, during the 1979 event with his first 700 series at the tournament (703 in doubles) and 1,900 tally in all-events (1,914).
During the 1982 event in Baltimore, Fischer made a run at the lead in Regular Singles. He finished with a 731 series to move into second place by a pin and closed the tournament in third place. He rolled games of 248, 258 and 225.
He also placed in the top 25 of all-events that year with 1,926, adding sets of 654 in doubles and 541 in team.
“Historically, I haven’t bowled really well in the team event,” Fischer said. “I had just got a new ball – I believe it was a Mark X – and it felt really good, but the ball didn’t react really well when I used it in the team event. The next day, I think I used a Yellow Dot and White Dot. I bowled really well and got locked in during singles.
“I had 248 and 258, and I could have taken the lead. I left a baby split in the ninth frame and missed it. I struck on the first ball in the 10th but left a 10 pin on the next shot and picked it up. It was really exciting, but I was really nervous getting toward the end. I’ve ended up making the leaderboard numerous times – maybe six times – before leaving. It’s the thrill of lifetime to have your name on the leaderboard before you leave.”
Some other big showings at the Open Championships included a 746 series in doubles during the 1995 event at the National Bowling Stadium, and his top all-events score took place in 2000 (2,070 in Albuquerque, New Mexico).
Through 50 appearances at the Open Championships, Fischer has maintained a career average of 193.6, knocking down 87,162 pins along the way.
“I’ve had some good accomplishments, and I worked for them – I bowled a lot,” Fischer said. “The most important thing, though, was the places I got to see and the people I met. I’ve met some really wonderful people and made some lifelong friends through bowling, and that’s irreplaceable.”
Fischer noted several trips to France to compete, too, which also resulted in meeting new people and creating friendships that still are ongoing today. He finished 10th during one of those overseas events as well.
The Open Championships always had a place on the calendar for Fischer to continue to build those relationships through the sport.
“I planned my year around most of them,” Fischer said. “There’s something about this tournament – it’s always special. Standing and getting ready to bowl, playing the national anthem – to me it almost feels like the Olympics. It’s the culmination of the bowling season and is the national championship. The big thing for me as I look back, though, coming here every year, are the friendships, the places and the people I’ve met.”
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.