Whatever It Takes - bowling, history

At age 24, she became a flight attendant for American Airlines, married a pilot, had children, and got a broadcasting job with ESPN for a couple years. Her priorities changed, and she couldn't put in the effort needed to keep her bowling game in shape. But there was no doubt she was an influence to up-and-comers in the '80s.

There have been, of course, other attractive women bowlers. And on the men's side, one of the pro tour's big stars, Brian Voss, was used by the PBA in promotional posters because of both his talent and good looks.

Who would you put on your list of 10 most influential bowlers? Please share your thoughts by e-mailing us at bowl@centurysports.net,

RELATED ARTICLE: Farewell to a Legend

WHEN JOE NORRIS PASSED AWAY February 22 after a bout of pneumonia, bowling lost a legend. I, however, lost a god friend.

Joe was the quintessence of the word legendary. He was to the American Bowling Congress what Babe Ruth was to baseball, what Michael Jordan was to basketball, what Wayne Gretzky was to hockey, and what Dale Earnhardt--who passed away in the same week as Joe--was to racing. Actually, because of his longevity, Joe's bowling career may have even surpassed those of all the aforementioned legends. Records by Ruth have been broken, and the same may eventually happen to Jordan, Gretzky, and Earnhardt. But two ABC records Joe set may never be approached, much less broken ... unless, perhaps. Methuselah comes back to life.

If the media gave the bowling world its due coverage, sports tans would know all about Joe. Not only did he have a remarkable career, but he also was bowling in three leagues a week right up until he turned 93. In order to match Joe's longevity, Jordan, named the greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN. would have had to play until 2040.

Norris bowled in his 71st ABC championship in 2000. tying Bill Doehrman for most ABC tournament appearances. He was scheduled to break that record this year by competing in the 72nd championship March 12 in Reno. That record will forever remain tied.

Norris holds the ABC total pinfall record, toppling 123,770 pins for 642 games, an average of 192.79 over a 70-year period. To put things in proper perspective. Joe sup passed Doehrman's lifetime pinfall record in 1992, which means he reached 100,000 pins six tournaments quicker than Doehrman.

To further boggle your mind, consider that Dick Weber and Bill Lillard are two of the players who have come closest to Joe's career pin total. If the 72-year-old Weber averages 200 in the ABC tournament for the next 12 years, he will still fall short of Joe's total. Lillard, a young 71, shot a remarkable 2,021 series at the 2000 ABC Tournament; he'd have to duplicate the performance for the next 12 years to catch Joe.

After tying Doehrman's appearance record in 2000, Joe said. "I've been pretty lucky, healthwise." Anyone able to participate in 71 annual contests had to be blessed with good health. Joe did miss one ABC championship, in 1942 due to appendix surgery. If not for this misfortune, Joe would have held not only the ABC's overall appearances record but also its consecutive appearances mark.