For immediate release                                                                     International Bowl Expo   Paris Hotel   Las Vegas, Nevada

Mike Aulby Earns 57^th Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award

Las Vegas – Mike Aulby, one of the all-time greats on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour, received the 57^th Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award during the Industry Awards Luncheon at Bowl Expo.

The prestigious award is given annually to recognize people who are still with us for their exceptional contributions over many years to enhance the growth, welfare and image of the sport of bowling.

That’s Mike Aulby to a T.

During his professional career, Aulby won 29 titles, including eight majors, and earned more than $2 million. He won PBA Player of the Year honors in 1985 and 1995, was the BWAA (now IBMA) Bowler of the Year four times, and won the PBA’s Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award in 1994 and 1995.

Aside from being one of the greatest bowlers in history, Aulby is also a proprietor, owning Arrowhead Bowl, a 42-lane center in Lafayette, Ind. He also owns two ice skating rinks in the northern suburbs of Indianapolis.

He is in both the PBA and USBC Halls of Fame, but he did much of his best work off the lanes. Aulby, one of the well-known “good guys” on the PBA Tour, always has been giving back to the sport that has made him one of the most beloved bowlers in the industry.

He has been a member of the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum board of the directors since 2004, and is currently the president/chairman of the hall and museum.

For many years, Aulby has been involved in work with and for charitable organizations. He has raised money for the “Children’s Miracle Network,” volunteered his time for many charity events around the country, such as the Frank Bacon Memorial Strike-a-thon in Brookfield, Conn., and has been running “Mike Aulby Youth Leagues” in Indianapolis for many years, giving youngsters the opportunity to learn how to bowl.

Aulby has been one of the best ambassadors for bowling almost since he joined the PBA as a teenager. He has always presented himself with dignity and honesty on an international platform. He always had time for fans – young and old – when he was on Tour, and has continued that relationship after retiring from the pro ranks.

Aulby and his wife, Tami, live in Indianapolis and have been married for 36 years. Their son, C.J., is 29, and their daughter, Danielle, 21.

The Flowers for the Living Award started in 1961, and has an impressive list of winners. It has been awarded to star bowlers, proprietors, association representatives, and business executives from all corners of the industry. It is bowling’s most unique award because it is not owned by any group or organization. Its founders wanted it to be independent from any group to ensure that there would be no campaigning or politics involved in the nominating and selection process. An independent committee runs the award and chooses the winners. No one is allowed to know they have been nominated, nor is the winner known until the official announcement.

For more information about the Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award, contact committee chairman Johnny Campos – tracktype@comcast.net

                                                                                                     ###

The Sam Levine Committee thanks Bowling Industry Magazine for its generous support of the award. History and information can be found on Facebook: Sam Levine ‘Flower’s for the Living’ Award or through the link on www.bowlingindustry.com.

Press Release is compliments of IBMA. 

Photo credit to Randy Gulley