ARTHUR J. YOUNG

Arthur J. Young was a pioneer in organizing national collegiate bowling and the Vir-Mar District Junior Bowling Association. After retiring from the Navy in 1962, he became assistant manager of the old Pentagon City Lanes in Alexandria. Art had been involved in bowling during his 20 years of naval service, having bowled in leagues in six foreign countries plus the U.S.

After six months at Pentagon City, he resigned to accept a position as manager of the game rooms at the University of Maryland, which also included Terrapin Lanes. In 1963, he organized and coached bowling teams at Maryland and continued coaching them until his retirement from the university in 1982.

Also in 1963, he assisted the late Matt Bennie in organizing the National Collegiate Division of ABC. Art held classes for future bowling coaches throughout Region 4 of the Association of College Unions-International (ACU-1), which included West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the District. He became regional director in seven minor sports for Region 4, including bowling.

Locally, Art was one of the main people who organized the Vir-Mar District JBA in 1963 as part of the old American Junior Bowling Congress (AJBC). He was its vice president two years and served on its board and as a coach for many more. He helped run local and state AJBC tournaments and also was on the Maryland State board of AJBC.

Art held classes for potential high school bowling coaches and worked with Bowl America and Fair Lanes junior coaches. He gave lectures at many colleges, stressing a need to join the collegiate bowling scene. Several of his young proteges in the area went on to become professional bowlers. His prize pupil, in her early years, was Patty Costello, acclaimed as the world's greatest left-handed female bowler and a two-time bowler of the year.

In 1965, Art helped organize the 16-team Southeastern Conference bowling league. His Maryland team competed in matches at colleges from Florida to Maryland at their own expense since colleges didn't support bowling programs financially.

Art was an NCABA board member for 12 years. He had the distinction of being among the first people to bowl on the White House lanes. He was named to the President's Council on Physical Fitness to set up a national bowling program of films and instructions.

If it were not for the superb and untiring efforts of Arthur J. Young, the collegiate division of the ABC and youth organizations like the Vir-Mar District Junior Bowling Association would not be the great organizations they are today. This is why a special spot has been reserved for him in the NCABA Hall of Fame.