Steve Graves was born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland and started bowling over 40 years ago, joining his first youth league at the old Fair Lanes Wheaton Plaza at age 10. With the support of his parents, he continued advancing in the sport.
As a teenager, he helped form a high school league at Wheaton Plaza. Steve later helped coach a number of youth leagues there and at Bowl America Twinbrook.
He introduced the sport to his younger brother, Gary, and enjoyed league bowling with him. When Steve first met his future wife, Tina, several of their dates took placed in a bowling center, and in later years, their three children were regular visitors to the bowling lanes.
Steve continued to bowl in numerous leagues and in various houses, and he has bowled in the association’s championship tournament every year since 1970.
In 1984, he became interested in joining the Nation’s Capital Area Bowling Association board, and the following year he was elected as a director for the following houses: Wheaton Triangle, Congressional Plaza, and Bowl America Twinbrook. He currently serves at AMF Shady Grove.
In 1987, Steve began attending the annual American Bowling Congress Convention as a delegate, and he has missed only one convention in the last 17 years. He has worked on or chaired almost every NCABA committee, and he currently serves as chairman of the BVL and Nominating committees. He was involved in starting the Ways and Means Committee and has worked at every association tournament since 1985.
Steve was elected NCABA fifth vice president in 1998 and became association president for the 2002-2003 season.
His high average is 198, with a high game of 279 and a top series of 739.
Steve has earned numerous trophies and awards over the years and has been extremely proud to share these victories with his family. In addition, he has made lifelong friends through bowling and has enjoyed sharing his love for the game with his family and friends. With his encouragement, two of his children and their spouses are regular league bowlers, and he has begun introducing the game to his nine grandchildren.
Steve Graves’s service and contributions to area bowling have merited him a special spot in the NCABA Hall of Fame.