Date: 05/10/2005 Publication: Jackson Citizen Patriot

Local Bowling Hall Gets Four New Members
Bob Bowen

Three men and one woman were announced last week as the next members of the Jackson Bowling Hall of Fame.

The 12-person selection committee named Larry Wheeler, Al Glick, John Krutsch and Nellie Spence as the newest members of the Hall, which was established in 1968. Glick and Spence were elected in the category of "Meritorious Service," Krutsch for "Superior Performance" and Wheeler as a "Star of Yesteryear."

The inductees' plaques, along with photos and descriptions of their exploits, will be added to the "Wall of Fame" along the concourse at Airport Lanes. The four will be honored at the annual banquet Sunday afternoon at Bullinger's.

Al Glick is well known as the sponsor of the Alro Steel Bowling Tournament and the Michigan Junior Masters Association. He founded Alro Steel in 1948 with his brother Bob, who was posthumously elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003. Their father, Louis Glick, was installed in 1972.

At the age of 14, Al Glick was the nation's youngest secretary of an ABC-sponsored bowling league. He has bowled in the Bowlorama House League since its inception in 1960 and still holds the record for most lifetime pins. He and Bob were partners in a group that owned Summit and Bowlorama Lanes.

Glick has received the Citizen Patriot's Al Cotton Award and many other honors in his lifetime. He is generous and dedicated, and is a great believer in teamwork. He has a strong interest in youth and education, shown by his involvement with the Louis Glick Memorial Trust, his Little League activities and his support of University of Michigan. He has served on numerous local boards of directors.

Nellie Spence was appointed to the Board of the Jackson Women's Bowling Association in 1961 and has served for 44 years. She was instrumental in securing the bid for the 1983 Michigan Women's State Tournament. She has been a scorekeeper at every JWBA city tournament and has served on the policy and procedure committee and the nominating committee, as well as others. She has been a delegate to the WIBC convention 10 times and bowled in 24 national and 25 state tournaments.

Spence started bowling in 1958 at Varden Lanes. She is a charter member of the African American Leagues there, as well as the Mixed Keglers and Marionettes. She is a member of the WIBC 600 Club. Her high series is 649.

Larry Wheeler is a former PBA Senior bowler and a longtime bowling coach who has influenced hundreds of youngsters to become better bowlers.

"I like to help people correct their mistakes," Wheeler said. "It makes me feel good to see them improve. I get a big kick out of it."

During the 1980s, Wheeler and his late sister, Hall-of-Famer Sue Hersha, spearheaded the growing YABA bowling program. He also ran a bowling clinic at Airport Lanes for two years. Many of his students approach him years later and thank him for his guidance.

Wheeler, who started as a pin-setter, managed the Elks Lanes (now known as
PJ's) in 1955-56. He has bowled four sanctioned 300 games and two 299 games in his career.

John Krutsch has been a member of the Senior PBA Tour for seven years and also competes on the Great Lakes Senior Bowling Tour. He has bowled three 300 games and numerous 700 series. His highest series was 768. He also coaches in youth leagues and has helped young bowlers improve their skills.

Krutsch is very active as a director with the Jackson Bowling Association.
He has acquired many JBA and ABC awards during his 40-year career. He won a state singles title, as well as local tournaments sponsored by the JBA. He has been president and vice president of various local leagues and rarely turns people down when they ask him to take on a challenge.

These four persons will help to enrich the long tradition of the Bowling Hall of Fame.

Reach freelance bowling writer Bob Bowen at sports@citpat.com.