Have a Great Weekend Obots!
Eric DeFreitas was the first black bowler to become a member of the AMF Staff of Champions, and one of the first black members of the Professional Bowlers Association. He has been deeply involved in all phases of bowling, as a bowler, pioneer organizer and instructor, public relations man, fighter for fairness in bowling and elsewhere, and was a student, teacher and historian. He was instrumental in the formation of numerous junior leagues and tournaments, guided many young black bowlers into better competition and the pros and was an outstanding role model because of his many charitable, civic and church involvements.
The Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence, MO compiled an oral history entitled “African American Bowlers and Segregation”
Stories of those athletes of yesteryear who bowled in substandard buy viagra manila bowling alleys, who were not allowed to compete in certain cities, and even some who had to stay in private homes because they were not allowed to lodge in motels. These heroes tell their complete story… of how they fought segregation by competing and achieving in a sport, largely reserved for others “not of color.” They worked and lived in segregated conditions but fought daily to show that equality on the lanes was just as important as equality in the schools and in restaurants. You can listen to their stories here.
In 1980, Willie Willis became the first African-American to qualify for the Firestone Tournament of Champions by virtue of his victory in the 1979 Brunswick National Resident Pro Championship.