USBC Hall of Famer Randy Pedersen dies at age 64
September 17, 2026
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress is saddened to learn of the death of USBC and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Randy Pedersen at the age of 64.
Pedersen, who grew up in Southern California but most recently resided in the Orlando, Florida, area, was an iconic figure in the sport both on and off the lanes.
On the lanes, Pedersen was simply one of the best. After a standout junior career in Southern California, the right-hander with the high backswing, smooth delivery and ultra-charismatic style went on to collect 13 PBA Tour titles, including a major championship at the 1987 PBA National Championship in Toledo, Ohio.
He earned his first PBA Tour title in 1986 at the AC-Delco Classic in Union City, California, and his last in 2002 at the PBA Pepsi Open in Springfield, Pennsylvania. For good measure, Pedersen added a PBA50 title in 2013, winning in his first appearance on that tour.
Pedersen was always at this best when the spotlight was the brightest . . . on TV. Pedersen won the first seven times he bowled in a title match on TV and finished with a 12-4 career TV title match record. At one point in his career, his overall TV winning percentage was in the top five all time, and he finished with an overall career TV record of 32-19 (a winning percentage of 62.75%).
As a competitor, Pedersen was as entertaining as he was talented. When he made a show, it was truly going to be “a show.” Even in defeat, Pedersen was no less than memorable. His reaction to a “Stone 8” that cost him the title in the 1995 Touring Players Championship is now the stuff of legend. Pedersen lay prone on the approach, hands over his face, as his opponent – Ernie Schelegel – celebrated by running around the lanes with his hands upraised, claiming, in true Muhammad Ali fashion, “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe it! I am the greatest!” The moment was officially memorialized as one of the PBA’s “60 Greatest Moments” during its 60th anniversary season.
The charisma and energy Pedersen displayed as an elite bowler served him well as he transitioned from his career on the lanes to an announcer off them.
Pedersen spent 25 years as the PBA Tour’s lead analyst on networks such as FOX, FS1, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network and the CW. He also served as an analyst on streaming network’s such as PBA’s Xtra Frame and just this past spring/summer for USBC’s BowlTV.
As an analyst, Pedersen brought an understanding and analysis of the game from the viewpoint of a hall of fame competitor. That said, his ability to educate fans about the sport may have taken a backseat to his outgoing personality that created “catch phrases” that became synonymous with him.
Fans of the sport heard Pedersen talk about a player’s “maple moxie” and may have chuckled as he referred to a player bowling well as someone “riding the gravy train with biscuit wheels” and a player’s tenacity being equivalent to “a bulldog gnawing on a pork chop.”
When Pedersen entered a room, or a bowling center, the sense was that he instantly became the center of attention. That seemed to be more than fine with bowling fans and anyone in his presence, and it was certainly fine with Pedersen.
When the PBA announced it's 50 Greatest Bowlers as part of the tour's 50th anniversary season, Pedersen checked in at No. 35 on list. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2011 and the USBC Hall of Fame in 2025.
Details regarding services are unknown as this time.
For more information on the USBC Hall of Fame, click here.
Pedersen, who grew up in Southern California but most recently resided in the Orlando, Florida, area, was an iconic figure in the sport both on and off the lanes.
On the lanes, Pedersen was simply one of the best. After a standout junior career in Southern California, the right-hander with the high backswing, smooth delivery and ultra-charismatic style went on to collect 13 PBA Tour titles, including a major championship at the 1987 PBA National Championship in Toledo, Ohio.
He earned his first PBA Tour title in 1986 at the AC-Delco Classic in Union City, California, and his last in 2002 at the PBA Pepsi Open in Springfield, Pennsylvania. For good measure, Pedersen added a PBA50 title in 2013, winning in his first appearance on that tour.
Pedersen was always at this best when the spotlight was the brightest . . . on TV. Pedersen won the first seven times he bowled in a title match on TV and finished with a 12-4 career TV title match record. At one point in his career, his overall TV winning percentage was in the top five all time, and he finished with an overall career TV record of 32-19 (a winning percentage of 62.75%).
As a competitor, Pedersen was as entertaining as he was talented. When he made a show, it was truly going to be “a show.” Even in defeat, Pedersen was no less than memorable. His reaction to a “Stone 8” that cost him the title in the 1995 Touring Players Championship is now the stuff of legend. Pedersen lay prone on the approach, hands over his face, as his opponent – Ernie Schelegel – celebrated by running around the lanes with his hands upraised, claiming, in true Muhammad Ali fashion, “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe it! I am the greatest!” The moment was officially memorialized as one of the PBA’s “60 Greatest Moments” during its 60th anniversary season.
The charisma and energy Pedersen displayed as an elite bowler served him well as he transitioned from his career on the lanes to an announcer off them.
Pedersen spent 25 years as the PBA Tour’s lead analyst on networks such as FOX, FS1, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network and the CW. He also served as an analyst on streaming network’s such as PBA’s Xtra Frame and just this past spring/summer for USBC’s BowlTV.
As an analyst, Pedersen brought an understanding and analysis of the game from the viewpoint of a hall of fame competitor. That said, his ability to educate fans about the sport may have taken a backseat to his outgoing personality that created “catch phrases” that became synonymous with him.
Fans of the sport heard Pedersen talk about a player’s “maple moxie” and may have chuckled as he referred to a player bowling well as someone “riding the gravy train with biscuit wheels” and a player’s tenacity being equivalent to “a bulldog gnawing on a pork chop.”
When Pedersen entered a room, or a bowling center, the sense was that he instantly became the center of attention. That seemed to be more than fine with bowling fans and anyone in his presence, and it was certainly fine with Pedersen.
When the PBA announced it's 50 Greatest Bowlers as part of the tour's 50th anniversary season, Pedersen checked in at No. 35 on list. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2011 and the USBC Hall of Fame in 2025.
Details regarding services are unknown as this time.
For more information on the USBC Hall of Fame, click here.