News · Oct 24, 2026 · Utica Bowling Association
Utica Bowling Association Hall of Fame inducts seven on Sunday
The Utica Bowling Association Hall of Fame will induct seven new members at its 53rd annual banquet at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, at Hart's Hill Inn in Whitesboro, the Rome Sentinel reported. The Hall of Fame is at Vista Bowling Center in Yorkville and dates to 1968. After Sunday it will have 228 men and 53 women, according to chairman Tony LaPolla.
The Class of 2026
- Andrew Romano Jr. started bowling at age 5 alongside his father, Hall of Famer Andrew Romano Sr. He bowled varsity for Proctor High School from 1990 to 1993 and made the Section III all-star team. His first 300 came in December 1995, and he has 24 more since, along with nine 800 series (high 866) and a career-high 232 average.
- Anne Marie Zakala helped Rome Free Academy go 50-0 from 1978 to 1982, then bowled at Temple University, where she was an All-American and the 1985 MVP. In 1993 she became the second woman in the Utica-Rome area to roll a 300. USBC records show 12 300s and four 800s since 1999. She was twice Woman Bowler of the Year and is already in the Rome Hall of Fame.
- Sam Robilotta started in 1972 at Vista, Sunset and Pin-O-Rama. He had 28 straight seasons over 200, a high average of 223, ten 300s and a 788 high series, and won the Bill Acquaviva Award twice.
- Sam Ventura started in 1971 at Madison Bowling Center. In more than five decades he has 42 perfect games, 32 800 series (high 844) and 25 straight years over 200. He was a three-time East Coast Player of the Year, won the Dick Weber National Sportsmanship Award, and founded the Sammy Senior Tour.
- Jamie Clarey led Clinton High School with a 211 average (1988–90) and has averaged at least 200 every year from 1999 through 2025-26. His career high is 216 at Pin-O-Rama in 2010, and he has four 300s.
- Peter Narkon bowled leagues from 1960 to 2000, starting in the Pin-O-Rama juniors. He averaged as high as 225, rolled three 300s and a 796 series, made nine USBC national tournament appearances, and ran a pro shop at Pin-O-Rama.
- Barbara Stone-Murtaugh started in the Pin-O-Rama juniors in 1971 and bowled for Clinton High School. She had 12 seasons over 200, a best of 213 in 2009-10, a 300 in 2009 and a 775 series in 2010. She also finished 2nd in the Binghamton Doubles with Hall of Famer Jeanette St. Mary.
Career numbers above come from the inductees' Hall of Fame write-ups as published by the Rome Sentinel. They have not been checked one by one against USBC records. Bowled with any of this year's class? Send us your photos or stories.
Source: Rome Sentinel, Oct. 24, 2026
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