Oak Lawn Bowling Owner Honored for Helping Centers Through Pandemic (Naperville, IL) — Bill Brennan Jr., proprietor of Arena Lanes in Oak Lawn, has received the Illinois State Bowling Proprietors’ Association’s highest honor for helping bowling centers navigate the COVID-19 crisis and advocating for fellow owners.
Brennan received the Louie P. Petersen Award during the association’s Oct. 27 awards ceremony at Hotel Arista in Naperville. The event, part of the group’s annual general membership meeting, also recognized broadcasters, an advocate for school bowling programs and others working behind the scenes in the industry.
The nonprofit trade association represents bowling establishments across Illinois. It described Brennan’s award as recognition of his leadership and service to bowling proprietors, particularly during the pandemic.
Arena Lanes, at 4700 W. 103rd St. in Oak Lawn, offers league bowling, youth programs and family activities — the mix of competition and recreation reflected in several of this year’s awards.
“To be recognized by an organization filled with so many talented, dedicated, and respected people in our industry truly is humbling,” Brennan said in remarks provided by the association.
Television coverage was another focus of the ceremony, with awards recognizing two generations of broadcasters who have helped keep bowling in front of viewers.
Duane Dow, a former weekend sports anchor for a local ABC affiliate, received the Award of Recognition. The association credited him with more than 35 years of promoting bowling through local television coverage.
Marcus Leshock and the WGN Morning News received an Award of Gratitude for their coverage of bowling, including the Professional Bowlers Association Tour, and efforts to introduce the sport to a broader audience.
“Honoring broadcasters is something new for us, and frankly, long overdue,” said Keith Hamilton, the association’s executive director.
Hamilton credited television and other media with helping sustain interest in bowling in Illinois.
The television awards came during the PBA Tour’s first season on The CW. Its announced 2026 schedule included 10 consecutive Sunday broadcasts from February through April, with the Illinois Classic in Decatur among the featured events. WGN-TV became a CW affiliate in September 2024, connecting the Chicago station to the network’s professional bowling coverage.
Other awards focused on introducing children to the sport and supporting the people who operate bowling centers.
Robert “Bob” Daman received the President’s Award for expanding in-school bowling programs. According to the association, his work has introduced thousands of Illinois students to bowling.
Mark Neumann received the Patrick Bosco Award of Merit for his work in bowling center maintenance. The association cited his craftsmanship and ingenuity, along with contributions to bowling establishments throughout the Midwest.
Skip Wolfe received an Award of Gratitude for decades of service to bowling centers and support for the association’s programs and events.
For Brennan, the recognition also carried a personal connection to the colleagues with whom he has worked to sustain the business.
“We’re surrounded by folks who truly love this game and business, and we just try to keep it profitable and relevant in today’s climate,” he said.
Oak Lawn Bowling Owner Honored for Helping Centers Through Pandemic
