The Green Bay Area USBC is proud to announce the 2024 inductees into the Hall of Fame. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and contributions to the sport of bowling. They will be formally honored at the Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, November 1st, at 7 PM at the Riverside Ballroom. Please join us in celebrating their outstanding achievements.
Bev Francois (Superior Performance) - Inducted Posthumously
Bev Francois was a trailblazer in women's bowling and left a lasting legacy in the Green Bay bowling community. Her remarkable career includes:
- High Women's Average: Bev held the highest women's average in the association multiple times, including 1970-71 (179), 1973-74 (180), 1977-78 (193), and 1978-79 (184).
- Pioneer in Women's Bowling: Bev won the first Association High Average Award for women in 1978-79 with an average of 184.
- Tournament Wins: She achieved numerous victories, including 1st place in the 1949 City Tournament Team event, and several City Tournament titles throughout the 1950s and 60s.
- Remarkable Consistency: Over her career from 1945-1989, Bev rolled an impressive 61 career 600 series, with a high of 685, an extraordinary achievement during an era when 600 series were rare for women.
Bev Francois' posthumous induction into the Hall of Fame honors her incredible contributions to the sport and her lasting impact on the bowling community.
Aaron Johnson (Superior Performance)
Aaron Johnson's impressive career totals speak for themselves, with six series of 800+, 412 series of 700+, and 14 perfect 300 games. Some highlights of his career include:
- Record-Setting Team Performance: On December 17, 2002, Aaron was part of The Bar team that set the Green Bay all-time high 5-man game with a score of 1374, a record that still stands.
- City Tournament Success: Aaron won the Scratch Doubles Championship in the 2006-07 City Tournament.
- Consistency and Skill: He is one of only six bowlers in Green Bay history to have two 300 games in consecutive league sessions.
Barry Marthaler (Superior Performance)
Barry Marthaler has proven himself as a formidable competitor with a string of achievements in Green Bay bowling:
- GB Masters Champion: Barry claimed the title in the 2009-10 season.
- Team Success: He has led teams to victory in the GB City Team Tournament and has been a consistent top performer in the Ashwaubenon Westside Businessmen league.
- Outstanding Performance: Barry's career includes two 800+ series, 125 700+ series, and seven 300 games in Green Bay.
John Van Langendon (Superior Performance)
John Van Langendon’s accolades include multiple high-performance feats, marking him as one of Green Bay's elite bowlers:
- Career Highs: John has achieved six 800+ series, 244 700+ series, and 13 perfect 300 games.
- Consistent Excellence: He has maintained the highest league average in the Green Bay Major, with a standout performance of 233.23 over 90 games in the 2022-23 season.
- Team Champion: John has won multiple team championships, including the 2022-23 Baker Trios and the 2017-18 and 2022-23 Green Bay Major team championships.
We look forward to honoring these outstanding bowlers at the Hall of Fame banquet. Their contributions and achievements have left an indelible mark on the Green Bay bowling community, and they serve as an inspiration for future generations of bowlers.
Bev Francois' posthumous induction adds a poignant note to this year's ceremony, reminding us of the enduring legacy that exceptional bowlers leave behind.