Hall of Fame
2023 INductees
The 2023 Hall of Fame Induction Dinner was held on June 3rd in Fond du Lac. We're excited to welcome 4 new members. Learn more about the inductees and their accomplishments below. The 4 new members were joined by previous Hall of Fame Members for a group photo.
Traci Brown - Superior Performance
Traci Brown is an accomplished bowler with a passion for the sport that spans over 35 years. She is celebrated today for her incredible talent. Traci’s journey began in 1988 when she clinched first place in the YABA Coke Tournament’s All Events. By 1991, she held the YABA Masters high scratch series and a National High game of 290, securing the Coke All Events Championship title again in 1992.
In her collegiate years, Traci continued to impress. She was the MIBC All Events & Team Champion in 1991, the Big 6 Conference Team Champion in 1992, and in 1995, she dominated the UW Oshkosh Invitational in both All Events and Singles. Her crowning collegiate achievement was a remarkable 2nd place finish in the 1996 ACUI National Tournament.
As her bowling career progressed, Traci won 5 Team titles in the Wisconsin State Women’s Championship (2004-2014), plus was the 2023 Team Champion (680). She also won 2 Doubles Championships
in 2009 and 2021 rolling a 696 both years. During a 5-year residence in Illinois, she championed 5 major tournaments, earning the Illinois Valley Women’s Bowler of the Year title in 2005 & 2006. In 2012, she broke barriers as the first female ever on the Fox Valley Men’s City All Star Team and remained a constant on the Fox Valley Women’s All City Team from 2019-2022. Other noteworthy achievements include winning the 1998 PWBA Tangerine Open, setting the National Mixed Team Series record in 2013, and her induction into the Fox Cities Hall of Fame in 2019. This year Traci was also 1st runner-up in the WI Badger Queens Tournament.
Jerome "Jerry" Polarek - Meritorious Service
Jerry’s dedicated service spans various positions and milestones within the bowling community. For 12 years, Jerry served as a Green Bay State Bowling Association director. He went on to become President for 4 years and Sgt at Arms for 5. Jerry was also President for the Youth Association for 12 years. During his involvement in Green Bay, he served on numerous committees, often taking on leadership roles, and played an integral part in the merger
committee between ABC/WIBC during 2003-2004.
As a silver certified coach with YABA coaching certification, Jerry has been a member of the Registered Volunteer Program, coaching youth state bowling since 1998. In 2022, he celebrated a remarkable 25 years of mentoring high school state bowlers. Jerry’s passion for
promoting bowling led him to successfully advocate for its
recognition as a high school lettered sport within the Howard-Suamico School District. Through his actions and example, he showcased the professionalism, competitive spirit, and sportsmanship exemplified by the bowling team.
In addition to his service, Jerry is an accomplished bowler with six perfect 300 games and numerous 700 series under his belt. Jerry was inducted into the Green Bay Hall of Fame in 2017.
Dwain Stewart - Superior Performance
With a thriving career spanning 30 years, Dwain has been a certified bowler participating in 21 WI State USBC Tournaments. His outstanding skill was on display when he bowled perfect 300 games in the 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023 WI State Tournaments. Additionally, he achieved 800 series scores in the 2018, 2022, and 2023 State. Dwain’s prowess also extended him to be the 2017 and 2019 CSBG National Champ. He also was the 2018 NTBL Team National Champ and 2019 NTBL Doubles National Champ.
Dwain’s impressive accomplishments include being a WI State Champion for Team Scratch in 2014 and 2021, and Team Scratch All Events in 2017, 2018, and 2021. He also captured the winning title in many other local tournaments around the state.
Dwain has held a high average of 240 on three occasions, further showcasing his expertise. Over his career, he has amassed an incredible 72 perfect 300 games and 40 series scores of 800 or higher. In recognition of his outstanding performance, Dwain was inducted into the Milwaukee Bowling Hall of Fame in 2021.
Michael Wirz - Superior Performance
Michael Wirz has a remarkable bowling career spanning over four decades. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated outstanding skill, achieving 46 perfect 300 games and 37 series of 800 or higher. His season average of 241 in both the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons remain among the highest in Eau Claire Area USBC association history.
A true standout, Mike holds the unique distinction of being the only player to win the Chippewa Valley Match Game six times, with an additional three second-place finishes. This prestigious scratch tournament, now in its 67th year, attracts a highly competitive field and is renowned as one of the Midwest’s most distinguished bowling events.
In 2018, Mike won the Wisconsin State USBC Senior Team Championship. In the WI State USBC Championships, he captured 1st place in 2019 Team All Events and in 2021 Singles with 825. Mike had a 3-year run tournament average of 248 for 27 games, all being done while he was over the age of 60.
Additionally, Mike’s exceptional accomplishments have been recognized with previous inductions into the Central Bowlers
Alliance Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Eau Claire Area USBC Hall of Fame in 2008. Later in his career, he was named the Midwest Senior Classic Player of the Year in both 2008-09 and 2015-16.
Hall of Fame Members
1986
Esther Ryan, Milwaukee*
Clara Logemann, Milwaukee*
Jeanne Knepprath, Milwaukee*
1987
Jeanette Bopp, Milwaukee*
Vicki Vukovich, Milwaukee*
Evelyn Kettle, Janesville*
1988
Janie Leszczynski, Milwaukee*
Adelaide Lindemann, Milwaukee*
Florence Boehringer, Milwaukee*
1989
Ellie Konicek, Racine*
Carol Miller, Waukesha*
Bette Klaetsch, Fond Du Lac*
Marian Brister, Kenosha*
1990
Gladys Light, Milwaukee*
Elaine Rebatzke, Milwaukee
Adeline Heinrichs, Wausau*
Glenora Thompson, Wisconsin Rapids*
1991
Alvin Salmon, Green Bay*
William “Hans” Gruettner, Milwaukee*
Russ Gersonde, Milwaukee*
Charlie Daw, Milwaukee*
Frank Benkovic, Milwaukee*
Caroline Rudolph, Wauwatosa*
Naomi Hawkinson, Neenah*
Nora Kay, Janesville*
1992
Russell W. Mott, Green Bay*
Walter Rubow, Milwaukee*
Enrico “Hank” Marino, Milwaukee*
William Marescalco, Sr., Kenosha*
Edward P. “Ned” Day, Milwaukee*
Carole Lemke, Milwaukee*
Lori Ann Gensch, Wauwatosa
Grace Treder, Beloit*
Bernice Koblitz, La Crosse*
1993
Anthony “Tony” La Porte, Grafton*
Gilbert Zunker, Milwaukee*
Dennis Wright, Milwaukee*
Conrad “Connie” Schwoegler, Madison*
Edward Idzikowski, Milwaukee*
Delores (Dee) Fix, Madison*
Valencia (Val) Costa, New Berlin*
Jean Simonsen, Racine*
Rosallyn (Rollie) Blaies, Green Bay
1994
Lester Shirey, Fond du Lac*
Robert “Ole” Ollerman, Fond du Lac*
John Carson, Janesville*
Ella (Burmeister) Mankie, Madison
Doris Hollweck, Milwaukee*
Gussie Hart, Milwaukee*
Emily (Emmy) McPherson, Milwaukee*
1995
James B. Grady, Madison*
Arthur F. Boettcher, Baraboo*
Raymond Schanen, Milwaukee*
Robert Pinkalla, Milwaukee*
Judith Pierner, Fond Du Lac
Donna Rush, Janesville
Nancy Chapman, Green Bay*
Ruth Radlinger, Merrill*
1996
Milton Unterbink, Racine*
Joann Opicka, Colgate
Kathleen Josephson, Milwaukee*
1997
Ron Wheeler, Delavan*
Kathy Franke, Egg Harbor
Geri Anderson-Hoefs, Waukesha
Betty Baye, Shawano
Kathy Sodermark, Neenah
1998
Leroy Altman, Waukesha*
Billy Sixty, Sr., Milwaukee*
Wayne Pinkalla, Milwaukee
Stuart Meyer, Milwaukee
Gale Blasczyk, New Berlin
Diane Guttormsen-Northern, Kenosha
1999
Hank Sayrs, Milwaukee*
Shirley Mielke, Oconomowoc
Evelyn Psenicka, Waupauca
Rachel Aaroen, McFarland*
2000
Jerry Koenig, Shawano
Walter R. Punko, Brookfield*
Margie Murrow-Wukoman, Franklin
Betty Wedntland, Beloit*
2001
Margie Klabunde, Milwaukee*
Jill Albrecht-Weber, Wind Lake
2002
Gabe Savaglio, Kenosha*
Dick Rice, Platteville
Ted Jaskie, Brown Deer*
Nancy Tenwinkel, Burlington
2003
Bob Larson, Kenosha
Jill Hartnell, Kenosha
Bev Larsen, Green Bay
L Mae Hayden, Mondovi*
2004
Hal Kaminski, Hubertis
Gina Daroszewski, Franklin
Joan Kiekow, Milwaukee
Diane Rosenmeier, Beaver Dam
2005
Mark Kuglitsch, East Troy*
Edward Kline, New Berlin
Judith Mertins, Racine
Aggie Habeck, Oshkosh
Edna Oechler, Kenosha*
2006
Elsie Vacek, Manitowoc
2007
John “Red” Smith, Oshkosh*
Phil LaPorte, Germantown
Linda Syvertsen
Lisa Vint, East Troy
Joan Hansen, Madison
Joan Staffon, Merrilan
2008
Ben Hoefs, West Bend
Don Bartz, Milwaukee*
Diane Stanislawski-Welhouse, Kaukauna
Sally Barwick, Wausau
Mary Hansen, Niagara
2009
Dick Ritger, Hartford*
Christine Weber, Waukesha
2010
Rich Wonders, Racine
Don Cook, Waukesha
Kay Gierl, Kenosha
2011
David Eley, Sr., Monroe*
Gus Yannaras, Waukesha
Gary Daroszewski, Milwaukee
Roxanne Monce, Milwaukee
Christine Holzschuh, Pewaukee
Dawn Nelson, Superior
2012
Bill Marescalco, Jr., Twin Lakes
Anton “Tony” Piantek, Bonduel*
Dale Traber, Cedarburg
Lynn Tyree-Cook, Waukesha
2013
Tom Schultz, Watertown
Jeff Richgels, Madison
Marc McDowell, Madison
Lennie Boresch, Jr., Kenosha
Lori Grisanti, Greenfield
2014
Jeff Nimke, Oshkosh
Darold Meisel, Muskego*
John Tyczkowski, Green Bay
Gloria Behr, Menomonee Falls
Rochelle Roventini, Greenfield
2015
Hank Posnanski Jr., Milwaukee
Norb Wetzel, Fond du Lac
Eugene “Gene” Schrank, Manitowoc*
Shirley Stahl, Milwaukee
2016
Bob Greenfield, North Prairie
Ryan Lever, Muskego
Gail Myers Jr., Monroe
Joe Natoli, Menomonee Falls
2017
Joe Alivo, Lannon
Merrill Draper, Burlington
Carl Muccio, Menomonee Falls*
John Wittkowske, Shorewood
Jennifer Grisham, Sussex
Shannon Labinski, Hartland
Kandy Birmingham, New Berlin
Joyce Jansen, Pardeeville
Cathy Larrabee, Racine
Joan Rennert, Racine
2018
Scott Helm, Hartford
Dennis Juechter, West Allis*
Terry Kulibert, Oshkosh
Richard Board, Sturgeon Bay
Greg Gomez, New Berlin
Bob Schmidt, Watertown
Robert Stichert, Sheboygan
Charly Boelter, Oshkosh
Dianne Cronce, Milwaukee
Betsy Bear Hoff, Waukesha
Michele McHenry, Pewaukee
Bonnie Decker, Janesville
Bonnie DeHarde, Milwaukee
Judy Engelbrecht, Freeport IL
Dawn Kluever, Schofield
Marcia Snyder, Fond du Lac
Pat Tebon, Green Bay
Ginni Zuege, Madison
2019
Steven Brinkman, Sussex
Jack Connaughton, La Fayette, IN
Maynard Mittelsteadt, Baraboo
Dick Reynolds, Pleasant Prairie
Todd Savoy, Superior
Ron Scheucher, Las Vegas
Brian Thyes, Green Bay
2020
Gary Green, Houlton
John Megna, Hales Corners
Glenn Mueller, Naples
John Peterson, Kenosha
Mike Putzer, Oshkosh
Ted Jirschefski, Theinsville
Doug Sleaford, New Berlin
Sandy Weber, Appleton
2021
David Albrecht, Milwaukee
Brian Brazeau, Ocala, Fla
Jim Hanke, Jackson
Jace Peterson, Ocala, Fla
Gene Raffel, Oak Creek*
Steve Richter, Sheboygan
Mike Shady, Girard, Pa
Mike Stranney, Milwaukee*
Hank Stoddard, San Juan Capistrano, Ca
Steve Janssen, St Germaine
2022
Jim Palt, Greenfield
Ron Vokes, Racine
Avon Kohl, River Falls*
Phil Dowling, Madison
Don Hildebrand, Glendale
Dave LaBar, De Pere
2023
Traci Brown, Menasha
Jerome "Jerry" Polarek, Green Bay
Dwain Stewart, Milwaukee
Michael Wirz, Eau Claire
* = Deceased