By Matt Cannizzaro and David Prange
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - Bill Scheiwer Sr. of Canonsburg, Pa., knew his appearance at the 2011 USBC Open Championships would be an emotional one, and he was flooded with memories as he made his 50th trip down Center Aisle on Wednesday.

The 77-year-old right-hander became the 132nd bowler in history, and third this year, to reach the 50-year milestone. He was joined by family, friends and teammates as he took his place in history at the National Bowling Stadium.

"It's been an exciting day," said Scheiwer, who made his Open Championships debut at the 1958 event in Syracuse, N.Y., and received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his five decades of participation. "It was above my wildest expectations, and I love this tournament. I certainly wasn't expecting all this. I went to my first tournament because my dad needed a doubles partner, and I knew right away I'd be bowling this tournament for a long time. It's really something to make it to 50." 

Although he tried to prepare himself, Scheiwer's emotions nearly got the best of him as his ceremonial march got closer.

"When they first announced my name in the squad room, everyone stood and applauded," said Scheiwer, a member of the Petersen Classic Hall of Fame. "That's when it really started to hit me. I had to try and control my emotions. The whole experience means so much to me."

Scheiwer's tournament career is filled with memories.

Just before the 1963 event in Buffalo, N.Y., he cut off the tip of his index finger on his bowling hand. He was unable to bowl with his original team but made the trip later in the tournament and bowled as a substitute on another team.

"I told those guys I didn't know how well I could bowl," said Scheiwer, whose career-high series of 659 was rolled at the 1990 event in Reno. "My finger was bandaged and still swollen, but I ended up being the high man." 
At one point, Scheiwer was a licensed pilot and even flew a couple of his teammates to the tournaments in Jacksonville, Fla., and Wichita, Kan., in a Cessna 182 of which he was a part owner. 

Scheiwer has been involved in bowling nearly all of his life. His father, Pete, was a lifelong bowling proprietor, and his mother was a top female bowler who lived to be 93 years old. Scheiwer still organizes two Petersen Classic squads every year.

"I love to get people to start bowling tournaments," Scheiwer said. "I knew that once they gave the tournament a try, they would want to go back."

Scheiwer is a retired teacher who spent 30 years teaching 11th grade American History, but he now works in the same bowling center his father once owned, Hornell Bowl in Hornell, N.Y., (now named Maple City Bowl). The center is owned by his son, Bill Scheiwer Jr. 

"My family sold the center quite a few years ago," Scheiwer said. "After several other owners, it closed down, and my son bought it on the Internet. It was apparently meant to be back in our family." 

Scheiwer's son was in Reno to witness his father's special day.

"I'm so happy to have been here for my dad's special day," said Bill Scheiwer Jr., who bowled in his 31st Open Championships. "Between my dad, my grandfather and me, we have 94 tournament appearances. We're looking forward to making 100 as a family." 

Scheiwer's love for bowling also has been passed down to his grandchildren, and his grandson, Zach, is looking to carry on the family legacy. 

"Zach is 16 years old and already has a couple of 300 games," Scheiwer said. "I'm hoping to be able to bowl long enough so we can have three generations on the tournament lanes at the same time. I'll keep bowling as long as I can. I just love it." 

Scheiwer had 530 in singles, 490 in doubles and 488 in team for a 1,508 all-events total, while Bill Jr. had 615 in doubles, 591 in team and 572 in singles for a 1,778 all-events total. In 50 tournaments, Scheiwer has knocked down 80,464 pins for a career average of 183.7.

Click here to watch video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.

Presenting sponsors for the 2011 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.