The Bowling Writers Association of America held its 69th annual convention at the Hotel Billings Convention Center, March 11 through March 14, in Billings, Montana.

Lyle Zikes, Arlington Heights, IL, was elected president of the association succeeding Fran Deken, third woman to hold the office.

Also elected were John Falzone, Rockford, IL, first vice president; Frank Barnhart, St. Louis, MO, second vice president; Daniel J. Glus, N. Braddock, PA, executive director; Jerry Ramig, Clinton, IA, sergeant-at-arms; Steve James, Milwaukee, WI, chairman of Board of Governors; Wayne Todd, Aurora, CO., historian.

Four directors were named to a two-year term -- Hazel McLeary, Victoria, British Columbia; Elaine Hagin, Castro Valley, CA; Glenda Millar; Houston, TX; Bill Vint, Brookfield, WI. Chief Wapensky, Fort Worth, TX was appointed to fill out the term of Ramig who moved to sergeant-at-arms.

Dan "Big D" Glus, N. Braddock, PA, was named winner of the Mort Luby Sr. Award for excellence in bowling journalism. Glus, host of "Talks & Tips with the Big D" in the Pittsburgh area also writes a weekly local bowling column. Joyce Deitch, Las Vegas, NV collected the John O. Martino Award. The honor is presented to an individual, organization or firm for outstanding contributions to bowling. She is retiring July 31 as President of the WIBC. Gordon Vadakin, Wichita, Kansas earned the Rip Van Winkle Award. It's presented for achievements and contributions to bowling 20 or more years ago. Vadakin was named Wichita State's coach in 1976. His teams have won 10 collegiate championships and a number of his bowlers have become top amateur and professional bowlers.

Marc D'Errico, Rochester, NY, was named winner of the 2001 Media Scholarship award. The University of Kansas sophomore received $1,000. The award, first presented two years ago, goes to young students involved in bowling and seeking a career in communications.

Other awards presented:

Amateur Bowlers of the Year -- Andrew Cain, Arizona State University and Shannon Pluhowsky, University of Nebraska. Both are from the Phoenix area. Storm Products sponsors the award.

Senior Bowlers of the Year -- Bob Glass, Lawrence, KS and Fran Deken, Reno, NV. Glass is a repeat winner.

Cartoonists of the Year -- Walt Steinsiek, Micco, FL and Lola Goelet Yokem were selected as co-winners. The award is sponsored by the PWBA.

Glenn Allison, Whittier, CA was honored with the Flower-For-The-Living Award given to recipient while he / she can still enjoy the roses.

Elaine Hagin, Castro Valley, CA was presented the Remo Picchietti Award, originated by DBA now underwritten by Columbia 300 at their dinner.

For the second year, writers named sixteen collegiate bowlers finalists in the Collegiate Bowlers of the Year race. Eight men and eight women were chosen and the winner will be announced at the Intercollegiate Championships in Buffalo, NY., in April. The top male and female bowlers will each receive $1,000 from Columbia 300. Bowlers two through five in the voting will be each be named Runner-Up and receive a $125 scholarship. Bowlers six through eight will receive honorable mention.

The next BWAA convention will be March 11-13, 2003 in Knoxville, TN