DALE STRIKE

Dale Strike started his bowling career at the tender age of four and just five years later he recorded a record series of 642. He won a Gold medal at the United States National Youth Games in Birmingham, AL., in 1973, followed by a Silver and Bronze in 1974 in Baltimore, MD. His first 300 game came soon after at the age of 12. Strike attended Dwight D. Eisenhower High School where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football all four years. After graduating he attended Saginaw Valley State University on a bowling scholarship where he competed for two years. He has been active in bowling for over 40 years and has racked up over one hundred 300 games in league and tournament competition – nine of those were bowled during the 2003-04 season and 15 games were bowled during Professional and Regional Bowler’s tournaments. Additionally, Strike has many 299 games and a total of forty-six 800 series. Strike’s high series of 873 in 1985 was the highest series ever bowled in the Detroit All-Star Classic. Strike has been an All-Star team member 16 times for both the Saginaw and Bay City teams. He has maintained an average of 235 or more for the last two years, with an average of 235 or better in ABC competition for the last 10 years. He has been a member of the Professional Bowler’s Tour for 19 years and has carried an average of 209-plus. Strike has competed in 148 National Professional Bowler’s Association Tournaments. His many titles include 11 Professional Regional titles, 10 Michigan Majors, 3 Michigan Team Challenge, 5 Northern Majors, 22 Saginaw City Tournament wins and 1 World Team Challenge title. In 1995, Strike was the youngest member ever to be voted into the Michigan Majors Bowling Hall of Fame – his first year on the ballot. He also was their Bowler of the Year in 1984. In the 1990’s Strike, who has won two Saginaw News’ top average awards, was voted the News’ Bowler of the Decade. He has earnings of over $175,000 on the PBA Regional and National Tours and over $40,000 in the Michigan Majors Bowling Association. Strike was inducted into the Saginaw Bowling Hall of Fame in 2004 at the age of 41, making him one of the youngest ever to be inducted.