USBC Hall of Famer John Jowdy dies at 93
August 01, 2013
ARLINGTON, Texas - John Jowdy of El Cajon, Calif., a member of the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame, died Thursday of natural causes. He was 93.
A lifelong proponent of the sport, he was well known for his coaching career but also brought bowling to many fans through his work as a bowling writer. Jowdy was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service in 2001.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was an avid and successful bowler in the 1940s and 1950s, and later started coaching youth bowlers at Main Bowling Center.
In 1962, he began working for bowling ball manufacturer Columbia 300 as a salesman, spokesperson and Professional Bowlers Association Tour representative. During his more than two decades with Columbia, he instructed and trained some of the top performers on the PBA Tour.
Jowdy is credited with the development of Team Columbia, a group of top pro players he selected to represent the company on pro tours. The "pro staff" concept now is utilized by all major bowling ball manufacturers. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1988, primarily for his coaching contributions.
He was inducted into the Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010 in recognition of his coaching contributions to the sport. He also is a member of the Texas State Bowling Hall of Fame, and the San Antonio Bowling Hall of Fame.
As a writer, Jowdy's columns appeared in dozens of bowling newspapers and magazines, and he earned numerous awards. He also authored two books on bowling.
Jowdy said one his greatest honors was the establishment of the annual John Jowdy Scholarship for high school and college bowlers, which Columbia 300 continues to sponsor in his honor.
Other honors Jowdy received during his career include the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Mort Luby Hall of Fame Award, Flowers for the Living Award, and DBA Humanitarian Award. In 2006, he was chosen as the International Bowling Coach of the Year by the World Bowling Writers.
A memorial will be held on Saturday, August 17, at noon at San Fransesco di Paola Catholic Church, 205 Piazza Italia, San Antonio, Texas. In lieu of customary remembrances, a memorial gift may be donated to: YES Fund, Attn: Chad Murphy, 621 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, Texas 76011, or to a charity of your choice.
A lifelong proponent of the sport, he was well known for his coaching career but also brought bowling to many fans through his work as a bowling writer. Jowdy was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service in 2001.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was an avid and successful bowler in the 1940s and 1950s, and later started coaching youth bowlers at Main Bowling Center.
In 1962, he began working for bowling ball manufacturer Columbia 300 as a salesman, spokesperson and Professional Bowlers Association Tour representative. During his more than two decades with Columbia, he instructed and trained some of the top performers on the PBA Tour.
Jowdy is credited with the development of Team Columbia, a group of top pro players he selected to represent the company on pro tours. The "pro staff" concept now is utilized by all major bowling ball manufacturers. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1988, primarily for his coaching contributions.
He was inducted into the Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010 in recognition of his coaching contributions to the sport. He also is a member of the Texas State Bowling Hall of Fame, and the San Antonio Bowling Hall of Fame.
As a writer, Jowdy's columns appeared in dozens of bowling newspapers and magazines, and he earned numerous awards. He also authored two books on bowling.
Jowdy said one his greatest honors was the establishment of the annual John Jowdy Scholarship for high school and college bowlers, which Columbia 300 continues to sponsor in his honor.
Other honors Jowdy received during his career include the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Mort Luby Hall of Fame Award, Flowers for the Living Award, and DBA Humanitarian Award. In 2006, he was chosen as the International Bowling Coach of the Year by the World Bowling Writers.
A memorial will be held on Saturday, August 17, at noon at San Fransesco di Paola Catholic Church, 205 Piazza Italia, San Antonio, Texas. In lieu of customary remembrances, a memorial gift may be donated to: YES Fund, Attn: Chad Murphy, 621 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, Texas 76011, or to a charity of your choice.