The USBC reported that Al Uttecht of Anaheim, CA, who has visited Westgate Lanes many times for the AWBA national tournament, has been elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in the Pioneer category. Uttecht, who has been confined to a wheelchair after sustaining injuries in the war in Vietnam in 1970, is considered the most successful wheelchair bowler in history, having won the AWBA Tournament of Champions 13 times in addition to being a 12-time AWBA national scratch champion and a seven-time national All-Events champion. Uttecht was elected to the AWBA Hall of Fame in 1985. A quote from Uttecht follows:
I am totally blown away by this honor, and I have no words to describe how I feel. This is from someone who when I was first asked to join a bowling league, I said you cannot bowl from a wheelchair.
Al Uttecht will be inducted on April 26 at the USBC Convention in Arlington, TX.
The Tenth Board 