2000/12/21

　　【PBA】　Norm Duke Nabs Tightly Contested Player of the Year

For the second time in his career Norm Duke is on top of the bowling world.

　He was named winner of the 2000 Chris Schenkel Player of the Year, receiving 58% of the votes from his peers. Following Duke in the voting were Ryan Shafer and Chris Barnes.

　Duke, who also received the award in 1994, becomes the eighth player to win the honor more than once. He started the year strong winning two titles, including the PBA National Championship, and finished in the top 10 in the first seven events of 2000. He concluded the year with a Tour-leading three titles, giving him 19 for his career and ranking him 13th on the all-time wins list.

　"It is a goal I have every year," said Duke. "The first one meant so much to me. I was excited to see the results this year because it was so close. All of the guys put forth an awesome effort and I commend them. To be recognized by the players you compete alongside is something special."

　Duke's steady performance in 2000 helped him finish in the top five in nearly every statistical category. He was third in cashes with 16, behind Barnes and Danny Wiseman, who led the Tour with 18. He finished tied for third, with both Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Shafer, in match play appearances with 13. He ended the year with a 218.77 average, good enough for fourth. He also tied Williams for third in championship round appearances with seven.

　The award carries the name of long-time television play-by-play announcer Chris Schenkel. Schenkel provided commentary for the PBA Tour for 36 years and was elected into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1976.
　

　　【PBA】　Joe Ciccone Wins Rookie of the Year Honors

　Joe Ciccone scored a lopsided victory to win the PBA Harry Golden Rookie of the Year, with 86% of the votes, ahead of Patrick Allen and Ritchie Allen.

Ciccone started his rookie year by finishing 14th in the National Bowling Stadium National/Senior Doubles in Reno, Nevada, in what proved to be his best finish of the year and the best of any rookie. He led the rookie field in average (210.50), cashes (six), match play appearances (four) and National Tour earnings ($9,750).

　Although Ciccone is a rookie on the Tour, his experience in the sport of bowling is anything but new. The one-time PBA regional titlist was the recipient of the 1994 PBA Billy Welu Scholarship Award, an award that recognizes college students who excel in the classroom as well as the sport of bowling. Ciccone bowled for four years at the collegiate level and is a four-time All-American, twice at Erie Community College and twice at Arizona State University. In addition, he is the only male to be named the Intercollegiate BWAA Bowler of the Year twice (Erie C.C., 1994; ASU, 1997).

　The award is named after PBA Hall of Famer Harry Golden. Golden, who retired in 1990, served as the PBA Tour's Tournament Director for 30 years.