It is weeks like this that make me really enjoy my job.
First, I had the opportunity to call most of the defending Regular Division champions for a story I wrote, and wow, what an amazing group of guys. They were all so gracious and humble and appreciative. They all have inspirational views on what it means to be a USBC Open Championships titlist, and for some, I could really sense their emotion when they talked about their roles in the tournament's history. It was a great reminder that this event is built on 105 years of tradition and being a part of it means something different to every bowler.
The first defending champion to come to Albuquerque was Chip Aki. I met up with him for the first time on Friday, and he was already smiling. He had just seen the banner with his name that is hanging over the lanes, and we did our best to make him feel like a celebrity.
Last night, before his team event, Chip was announced as a champion for the first time in the squad room, and then we did something special. We arranged for his equipment to be brought out to his lane, and we let the other 239 bowlers March out the their lanes. At that point, we shut the curtain at the end of Center Aisle, introduced Chip with a short speech about his accomplishment last year in Reno, and we marched him out with an escort (Associate Tournament Manager Mindy Corr) so that all eyes would be on him. It was his moment to enjoy, and at the end of the march, he finally got to see the orange eagle next to his name on the scoreboard for the first time.
I wish I could describe the excitement and appreciation in his eyes through all of this, but I cannot find the words. He worked toward this for 26 years. To put it into perspective, though, Chip now has an eagle tattoo on his arm to symbolize his accomplishment. It is not there to be cocky, however. It was put there with a great sense of pride for a dream come true. When he showed it to me, he simply said, "Matt, winning was something I've always dreamed of, and no matter what happens after this, it's something I will always have with me."
Good luck tonight in your title defense, Chip.
The weekend also included a few more of the most inspirational people I have ever met. First, USBC Hall of Famers Jimmy Schroeder and Glenn Allison bowled on Saturday and Sunday, and they were joined by Bill Lillard Sr., who bowls Monday and Tuesday. All three men are bowling pioneers and among the greatest who have ever laced up a pair of bowling shoes. Individually, they have each made their marks on the history of the Open Championships, and seeing them here as competitors, ambassadors, champions and long-time participants makes me want to be a better bowler and a better person.
As a lifelong bowler, I am familiar with the history of the sport, and now the inner workings of the Open Championships. I've had the opportunity to meet so many great people in general as well as some of the all-time greats and players I grew up watching on TV. While I may never match their accomplishments on the lanes, I am proud to know them and share their stories.
In all, Allison, Lillard and Schroeder have combined to knock down more than 323,000 pins and win 13 titles in 178 tournament appearances. To know them is a pleasure, and to hear their stories from the last 60+ years is inspirational. Their passion for the sport and the tournament is unrivaled. And since I've been working at the Open Championships, Lillard and Schroeder have done everything in their power to help promote the tournament.
In 2006, Lillard joined me in Corpus Christi for a special media event to help kick off construction, and he returns each year to be a part of Opening Ceremonies and now Bowlfest. Schroeder continues his work with the Special Olympics and joins us each year for their opening-week event and then stays for opening day. Thanks for everything gentlemen.
Finally, I got to see an old friend from Florida roll a 300 game yesterday, and I had the pleasure of writing about it for USBCopen.com and for the Gainesville Sun (Gainesville, Fla.), where I worked for four years before joining USBC. And while I truly enjoy meeting new people each day and telling their stories, it's even better seeing a friend succeed out here.
Anyway, this week reminded me that I truly do have the job of a lifetime. In fact, my high school yearbook said I planned to be a bowler or a sportswriter, with the stipulation that if I couldn't be a full-time bowler, I'd write about it. So here I am, a former PBA member/sportswriter turned bowling writer. I guess in a way, my dream came true at the Open Championships, too.
