Ohio Hall of Fame doors swing open for Kessler
Jerry Kessler was ready for a career change.
“I was working under a Pinto, it was October, cold and raining, it was dripping on me, and I remember thinking, ‘I could work inside,’” Kessler said.
A short time later, Kessler was hired as the head mechanic at Thunderbowl Lanes in Englewood. It was 1982.
Kessler’s career in the bowling industry includes ownership of three bowling centers before returning to Thunderbowl in 2008. The now-general manager wears many hats — even making pizzas, mopping floors and occasionally pouring drinks at the Englewood bowling center. Working on the machines, however, has also been his preference.
“I have fixed a lot of machines, it’s what I like to do — it’s my sanctuary,” he said. “But you do whatever it takes to keep it going.”
The versatile GM and longtime bowler can now add state Hall of Famer to his lengthy resume. Kessler will be inducted into the Ohio Bowling Hall of Fame for superior performance at the annual state banquet in May.
“There are so many great bowlers in this region, this is very humbling,” he said. “It feels good to be recognized that way, to be hall of fame worthy.”
Kessler’s resume was already packed with close to 400 honor scores — 195 perfect games and 184 800 series, including 12 series that hit or topped 850. He posted the first 800 series at Marian, Centerville and Arcanum lanes.
And one of Kessler’s 300 games even earned him a new car in the RMG Classic at Princeton Bowl in 1994.
The 60-year-old has had success at the city, state and national level. He set records for the high series in Dayton in 1989 with 867 and in Miami County in 1987 with 844. He has won 13 Greater Dayton United States Bowling Congress city titles as well as a pair of state titles — team in 2013 and doubles in 2008.
Kessler was part of the team that claimed the all-events title at the ABC National Tournament in 1996 with Ron and Rick Pollard, Bill Spigner and Don Scudder. But not all his most cherished accomplishments are championships.
“In 1990, I made the cut at the U.S. Open,” Kessler said. “I bowled at the highest level, was able to compete, make the cut and even make some money. It was a lot of fun.”
Kessler finished 37th, the highest amateur finisher that year.
The veteran bowler has traded competition for camaraderie and is now primarily a league bowler. Less pressure and more fun is a win for Kessler.
“The game is way more enjoyable today than it’s ever been.”