The Elizabeth Ukrainian Bowling League was formed prior to World War II. (Dates are not recorded). During the war the league was halted while many of the members where involved in the fighting for our freedom. It wasn't until after World War II had ended that the league picked up again.
In August of 1946, then Director of the league recruited many of the vastly relocated Ukrainian Community in Elizabeth, New Jersey to commit to a Bowling League. Back then bowling leagues and establishments were plentifully located throughout Union County. Every bowling house was filled night after night with leagues. The league bowling in various houses over the years, spending time at the now closed Elizabeth Lanes and Federal Lanes. The league bowled a few years at Roselle Lanes and two years at Hy-Way Bowl, and now bowls at Jersey Lanes in Linden, NJ.
The League Bowled at Elizabeth Lanes (now is the Burger King on Route 1 & 9 in Elizabeth) from 1961 - 1967. Federal Lanes (now is the Home Depot on West Grand Street on the Elizabeth/Roselle border) from 1967 - 1971. The league went back to Elizabeth Lanes from 1971 - 1979. It then bowled at Roselle Lanes which is still on Chesnut Street in Roselle from 1979 - 1982. It moved back to Federal Lanes from 1982 - 1989. When Federal Lanes closed it doors after that season the league moved to Hyway Bowl on Route 22 in Union, NJ for the 1989 and 1990 seasons. The 1991 season brought a change to our league. The league which was always held on thursday nights at 6:30, recieved a contract to bowl on Friday nights at Jersey Lanes in Linden, NJ at 6:30PM. This establishment was closer to the Ukrainian Community in Elizabeth and the league expanded from there. In 1992 the league which was comprised of all male ABC sanctioned bowlers for the previous 45 years became a mixed league. With most of the women already spending their Friday nights at the alley, it became obvious that in order for the league to survive it would have to become mixed. The League moved to Thursday nights in Jersey lanes for a few years to accomodate another league on Friday nights. When that league folded, we went back to our slot on Friday night and we just completed the 2005 - 2006 season which is our 60th anniversary of this league.
Many of the Ukrainian Bowlers have now since retired from bowling or have passed away and the league does not have as many Ukranian Bowlers as it once did, but the league has grown in teams from our customary 8 teams to our current status. Currently the league has 48 members on 12 teams and our annual banquet is held at the Pegasus at the Meadowlands Racetrack during the month of June.
The League was just recently recognized by the United States Bowling Congress for 50 years or dedicated service as a league retro to the 1996 season. A plaque was presented to the league for this service. The Ukrainian League is honored in the USBC Hall of Fame with one team holding the record for most consecetive Mixed League Champion winners from 1999 - 2005 seasons
The highest average on record belongs to John Miller with a 212 average bowled during the 2005 -2006 season. The highest game belongs to Kevin Kratzer and John Miller with a 300 game. Kevin bowled during 2006-2007 season. John bowled his during the 2007-2008 season. There have also been a few 299 games, John Miller bowled that during the 2006-2007 season. The previous high game was bowled by Harry Kardash in the 1980 season with a 290 game. The highest series on record belongs to Cory Christian who bowled a 268-279-264- 811 Series bowled during the 2007- 2008 season as a substitute. Mike Norelli holds the record for a regular with a 797 series bowled during the 2004 - 2005 season. The highest average for the women belongs to Judy Rabec with a 177 average bowled during the 1995 -1996 season. The highest series for a women belongs to Judy Rabec with a 647 series bowled during the 1997 - 1998 season. The highest game for a women belongs to Donna Hricko who bowled a 259 game during the 1994 - 1995 season.
Ed Kowalczyk, the Director of the league from 1968 through 1985 kept all the records for each season on file. When he decided to give up his duties in 1985, Rodney Godfrey was nominated Director of the league. Rodney had just graduated from Union Catholic High School were he was on the Bowling Team that finished first in the Watchung Conference the previous two years. Today his has just completed his 22nd year as Director/Secretary of this league. He is also 2nd Vice President of the Union County Bowling Association.
All the info that was saved over the years has been put together to create this Web Site.
WWW.ELIZABETHUKRAINIANBOWLING.COM
Yours in Bowling
Rodney S Godfrey
Director/Secretary