Zodiac team member celebrates 50th USBC Women's
June 09, 2015
By Wishelle Banks and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - As she was escorted down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium to celebrate her 50th consecutive year of participation at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships on Sunday, Frances Plaia of Mandeville, Louisiana, grinned from ear to ear, yet fought back tears.
After receiving a plaque and pendant to commemorate the milestone, the 96-year-old right-hander did not anticipate the celebration and swarm of well wishes she received from her fellow bowlers.
"It's wonderful, but it really was a shock to come in and see all of this going on," Plaia said. "I never expected all of this. I thought somebody had a birthday. They said, 'Go get behind the table.' I went and got behind the table, and they were taking pictures and such. I started to cry, but I tried not to. I've never had this happen to me in my life, but I think it's wonderful. I think bowling was worth it!"
Plaia started her USBC Women's Championships career at the 1966 event in New Orleans, but she began her journey to fame in just her fourth appearance. It was for the 1969 tournament in San Diego that she teamed with Linda Prattini to create the Zodiacs of New Orleans, which has become known as "The World's Best-Dressed Bowling Team."
The initial premise was to protest the tournament's dress code and make a statement, and Plaia never imagined she would be serving as an inspiration to younger generations of bowlers, or that the Zodiacs would ultimately become a staple at the Women's Championships.
She reminisced about their first team costumes, long dresses with tear-away hems that led to a lifetime of varying themes and costumes for each appearance on the tournament lanes. The theme for 2015 was Silver and Gold.
"When we started with these outfits and came into bowl, people would look at us and wonder how we were going to bowl in them," said Plaia, who rolled sets of 339 in team, 337 in singles and 302 in doubles for a 978 all-events score in her 50th appearance. "We just laughed - in long, white gloves - and went on the lanes. I think we shocked them when we pulled the bottom of our long skirts off. Their eyes popped out of their heads because they didn't know what the heck we were going to do to start bowling. I'd like to see it all over again."
Plaia - like her many Zodiac costumes - survived Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and she wears that indomitable New Orleans spirit and trademark Southern hospitality on her sleeve for the world to see.
She was joined for her milestone appearance by her son, RJ, his wife, JoAnn, and her brother-in-law, Larry, along with her Zodiacs teammates.
The 2016 Women's Championships in Las Vegas will serve as Prattini's 50th appearance, and Plaia already is looking forward to another celebration.
"If God's willing, I'll be there with a bell on," Plaia said.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - As she was escorted down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium to celebrate her 50th consecutive year of participation at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships on Sunday, Frances Plaia of Mandeville, Louisiana, grinned from ear to ear, yet fought back tears.
After receiving a plaque and pendant to commemorate the milestone, the 96-year-old right-hander did not anticipate the celebration and swarm of well wishes she received from her fellow bowlers.
"It's wonderful, but it really was a shock to come in and see all of this going on," Plaia said. "I never expected all of this. I thought somebody had a birthday. They said, 'Go get behind the table.' I went and got behind the table, and they were taking pictures and such. I started to cry, but I tried not to. I've never had this happen to me in my life, but I think it's wonderful. I think bowling was worth it!"
Plaia started her USBC Women's Championships career at the 1966 event in New Orleans, but she began her journey to fame in just her fourth appearance. It was for the 1969 tournament in San Diego that she teamed with Linda Prattini to create the Zodiacs of New Orleans, which has become known as "The World's Best-Dressed Bowling Team."
The initial premise was to protest the tournament's dress code and make a statement, and Plaia never imagined she would be serving as an inspiration to younger generations of bowlers, or that the Zodiacs would ultimately become a staple at the Women's Championships.
She reminisced about their first team costumes, long dresses with tear-away hems that led to a lifetime of varying themes and costumes for each appearance on the tournament lanes. The theme for 2015 was Silver and Gold."When we started with these outfits and came into bowl, people would look at us and wonder how we were going to bowl in them," said Plaia, who rolled sets of 339 in team, 337 in singles and 302 in doubles for a 978 all-events score in her 50th appearance. "We just laughed - in long, white gloves - and went on the lanes. I think we shocked them when we pulled the bottom of our long skirts off. Their eyes popped out of their heads because they didn't know what the heck we were going to do to start bowling. I'd like to see it all over again."
Plaia - like her many Zodiac costumes - survived Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and she wears that indomitable New Orleans spirit and trademark Southern hospitality on her sleeve for the world to see.
She was joined for her milestone appearance by her son, RJ, his wife, JoAnn, and her brother-in-law, Larry, along with her Zodiacs teammates.
The 2016 Women's Championships in Las Vegas will serve as Prattini's 50th appearance, and Plaia already is looking forward to another celebration.
"If God's willing, I'll be there with a bell on," Plaia said.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.