Eddie Blocker Jr., was introduced to bowling as a result of a leisurely outing with friends. After a planned evening to a concert was cancelled due to the loss of tickets, someone suggested bowling, and this was how it all started.
Eddie joined his first bowling league in 1972 at Fair Lanes University using a house ball and house shoes for an entire season. His first bowling instructions and encouragements came from Pete Jackson of Myers’ Pro Shop at University and Jim Robinette of the Carmen Don Pro Shop. While continuing to gain more knowledge of the art of bowling, Eddie briefly worked at Myers’ Pro Shop and Holmes’ Pro Shop at AMF Capital Plaza to learn the art of ball drilling and bowling equipment maintenance.
His passion for the sport, his positive mental attitude, and his wonderful experiences with his mentors made his decision easy to become a mentor to youth bowlers. He quickly became a certified youth bowling coach for the American Junior Bowling Congress and has been an active coach since 1977.
He takes pride in having coached and assisted in the development of numerous youth bowlers, including future NCAUSBCA Hall of Famer Anthony Chapman, Chris Johnson, Nate Bolden, Anthony Whitehead, Ronald Davis, Christy Peets, and Debbie Myers.
For the 2012-2013 season, he served as Head Official, Division II for NCAA Women’s Bowling at Howard University.
On the lanes, Eddie, has recorded 15 perfect games and two 800 series. As a 16-year PBA Senior member, he made six “Top 16” match play finals, including a third-place finish in the 2007 PBA East Region Fort Meade Senior Open. His tournament titles include the 1982 Virginia State Scratch and Handicap Doubles (with future NCAUSBCA Hall of Famer Donny Carr) and the 1986 NCABA (Nation’s Capital Area Bowling Association) Scratch Singles. He also has a third-place Singles finish in the Bill Rhodman Tournament in Delaware.
Even though Eddie has suffered three knee operations in the past seven years, he continues to enjoy the sport he loves by bowling in two leagues.
Eddie Blocker Jr., is an accomplished bowler with a wealth of knowledge that he enjoys sharing, especially with the youth. A special spot has been reserved for him in the NCAUSBCA Hall of Fame.