A symbol of bowling in the Fillmore County area will now have her name permanently associated with the sport as her name is now listed in the Bowling Hall of Fame.
Shelly Hanson, who owns B & B Olympic Bowl in Preston, Minn., with her husband Paul, says she was “shocked” when she found out on October 1, 2018, that she had been selected to be included in a very exclusive group of Hall of Fame inductees.
In 2017, Hanson had been nominated for the Southeast Minnesota USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame induction but was not selected. Although not selected last year she was very honored to have been nominated.
This year, Hanson did not know she had even been nominated when she learned she had been selected so it came as quite a surprise.
Hanson began bowling about 20 years ago when she moved to the area. Although she had bowled as a kid a few times she had no real experience bowling. She joined a Thursday night glow in the dark bowling league just for the fun of it. She enjoyed the time spent out with friends while bowling.
“Next thing you know you get on the regular league and you start bowling, you end up getting a team and going to state and going to other tournaments and bowling at nationals,” states Hanson.
During this time their bowling buddies became friends and even like family. “That’s one thing about bowlers anywhere you go,” notes Hanson. “We met bowlers 12 years ago, we met them in Vegas, from Cincinnati, and they still come up here every year to bowl in our scotch doubles tournament,” she explains.
“When you go bowl it’s like everybody is family,” states Hanson. Many long-time friends have been made through bowling whether local residents who bowl on leagues or the people they see regularly at tournaments.
Hanson was inducted for Meritorious Service. Hanson is a big promoter of the sport of bowling to people of all ages.
The qualifications to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for bowling are “exceptional accomplishments for outstanding service and contributed to the sport of bowling,” explains Sonny Feind, SE MN USBC Association Manager.
“She is the life and blood of the sport of bowling in Preston. She has managed/owned B&B Olympic Bowl for 20 years,” states Feind, and another monumental factor was that the Hanson’s rebuilt the business after it was destroyed by fire on January 1, 2016.
“If it weren’t for both Shelly and Paul, Preston would not have a bowling center. In most cases, if a center is destroyed it is lost and never rebuilt,” notes Feind.
The process for a person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is to be nominated, which entails someone submitting an application. The committee then reviews the applications and after much discussion, decides whose names will be put on the ballot as candidates. The ballots are mailed out to Hall of Fame members who make their choices and the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner.
“The inductee receives a Hall of Fame certificate signed by the President of the United States Bowling Congress along with the local association president. The names are submitted to the National Hall of Fame in Arlington, Tex.,” explains Feind.
“They also receive a plaque and a pin. The name is also added to the SE MN USBC Hall of Fame plaque with all other inductees,” adds Feind.
An induction ceremony was held on Sunday, October 28, at Willow Creek Golf Course and Event Facility in Rochester, Minn. Hanson’s family and many friends attended the induction ceremony and gave her flowers as part of the celebration.
After receiving her plaque Hanson explains, “My grandson, (Beau, almost six), was so proud of that plaque,” and when Hanson was getting ready to go up on stage and give a speech Beau said, “Don’t worry Grandma, I’m going with you to support you,” which he did. While on stage the emcee asked Beau if he bowls like his Grandma or if he bowls like his Grandpa — his response was “I bowl like my own man,” which of course created smiles around the room.
As humble as ever, Hanson says she feels quite honored by the Hall of Fame induction but says, “I feel like there are lots of people that should be in it way before me.” Anyone that knows Hanson would argue that point with her as they know how passionate she is about the sport.
“This reward really belongs to a lot of people here,” says Hanson, referring to the entire B & B Olympic Bowl family.
Hanson also wants to recognize three local residents who have previously been inducted into the Hall of Fame for bowling which include Harriet Harstad in 2006, Bonnie Heusinkveld in 2007 and Merwood Storhoff in 2013.
Hanson has been overwhelmed by the congratulatory comments she has received from everyone and is very thankful for all the support she has received not only during the Hall of Fame induction, but especially the support she and Paul have received from so many people over the last 20 years.
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