Auburn U.S.B.C. Hall Of Fame

Outstanding Bowler Category: JOHN SALVATORE

John Salvatore (Mighty Mite) Age: 80 John has been a member of the Auburn Bowling Association for 54 years. He has also been a member of the Utica, Albany, Watertown and Syracuse Associations in his career. His highest average was 197 in 1978. He has bowled three 700 series with 720 being his high. The first on 1/9/1974 in the “Pepsi 700” League at Cayuga Lanes, the second was on 11/06/1983 also in the Pepsi 700 League, and the last was on 11/20/1985 at Eastwood Lanes in the Smith Corona League in Syracuse. His High Game is 279, which he has bowled twelve times. John bowled in his 1st ABC Tournament in 1949 which he won a Wheaties award for bowling a 279 game. He has bowled in 4 ABC’s, 20 NYS and 40 ABA tournaments. He won the ABA Doubles at the ABC Lanes with Lou Chomyk, he won the mixed team event at Cedar House Lanes in 1974, and he has finished as high as 3rd in the Citizen Masters in 1973 and has won the singles title at the state Moose tournament. John was also a certified junior bowling coach.

Distinguished Service Category: GARY A. WAGER

Gary A. Wager Age: 61 Gary has been a member of the Auburn Bowling Association for over 30 years. He served on the ABA Board of Directors for five years. He has gone through all the chairs of the 700 Club and was also President of the Auburn Bowling Council. Gary has served as Secretary of the George Sedor Civic league, and has been President of the Pepsi 700 Classic, George Sedor Civic and the Winnie Gallo leagues. Gary was instrumental in bringing three State tournaments to Auburn, them being the VFW, Moose and the Moose Mixed Doubles. He considers his greatest accomplishment in bowling being his first 700 series with his mother during the Moose Mixed Doubles tournament. His mother (Betty Burroughs) is also in the Woman’s Hall of Fame. Gary has served as the 10th district sports chairman for the Moose Club, ran monthly tournaments while maintaining averages for Syracuse, Fulton, Oswego, Auburn, Seneca Falls and Geneva for both men and women. He attended the ABC school for new directors, he served on the lane inspection and awards committees while a Director for the ABA. Gary and his family also donate a trophy to the Woman’s Masters in memory of their mother Betty Burroughs. Gary has been a true sportsman and promoter of the game of bowling his entire life. With his induction, Gary and his mother Betty are the first mother son combination in the Auburn Bowling Hall Of Fame. .

Outstanding Bowler Category: STEVE SPINNEY

Steve Spinney Age: 50 Steve has been a member of the Auburn Bowling Association for 33 years. He has carried a 200 plus average since 1978 with a high average of 228 and has more than 200 lifetime 700 series. He has bowled eight 300 games in the 80’s 90’s and 2000’s. He also has had three 800 series with a high of 808. Steve has competed in 15 ABC, 2 NYS and 30 plus ABA tournaments. He has been a final day participant of the Citizen Masters on two different occasions and has been in the final eight five times. He has won the ABA team event on the Teddy’s Tavern team and was the first recipient of the George Vitetta Memorial award, the Scratch Doubles Champion in ABA tournament. He has also won numerous league championships along as high series, game and average awards in his respective leagues. Steve has been a Secretary or President of numerous leagues since 1974 and was lane manager of both Starlite Lanes and the Polish Falcons during his career. He also helped develop one of the best and largest junior programs while at Starlite Lanes..

Outstanding Bowler Category: PETER BOMMERSBACH

Peter A. Bommersbach Age: 55 Pete has been a member of the Auburn Bowling Association for 35 years. He has averaged over 200 for many years with a high of 220. He has bowled over 200 700 series in his life and has one 800 series of 807 bowled on 12/09/90. Pete has bowled three 300 games on 9/8/95, 10/10/90 and his first was on 11/12/85. He has had six 299 games, the most recent in March of 2006, and he also has had 2 298 games. Pete was the 1986 Citizen Masters Champion. He has qualified for match play over 20 times and has made the Final 8 five times. He has won the ABA scratch all-events in 1995, was on the ABA team champions in 1988 & 1989. He also has finished in the Final 8 in the Herald Masters on two occasions. He also was the Senior Masters champion in 2005. Pete has competed in 17 ABC, 2 NYS and 20 ABA tournaments. He has an average of 193 for 17 ABC tournaments. Pete has had numerous league team championships, high average, high series and high game awards. Pete was the anchor bowler for the strong Hofbrau Restaurant team of the late 70’s and 80’s and the Killer Bees team of the 90’s.