KIM TERRELL-KEARNEY RECEIVES FLOWERS FOR THE LIVING AWARD

Kim Terrell-Kearney, a member of the USBC and PWBA Halls of Fame, was presented with the 61st Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award on Feb. 8.

The surprise presentation was made to the North Carolina A&T University coach during the Flyer Classic women’s collegiate tournament, hosted by Lewis University at Strike N Spare II bowling center in Lockport, Illinois.

“I am incredibly grateful and honored to be in the position that I am to coach collegiately and hang out every weekend with some of the best bowlers in the country,” Terrell-Kearney said after receiving the plaques and a bouquet of flowers.

Terrell-Kearney has shown integrity, passion and class for every organization and company she has represented, noted Johnny Campos, who chairs the Flowers committee. She also has been a national spokesperson for the USBC and participated in the organization’s campaign to increase membership. Today, she excels in coaching and mentoring young bowlers around the country.

Among her 10 career PWBA titles are three major championships: the 2001 and 2008 U.S. Women’s Opens and the 2002 USBC Queens. She was named the 1989 PWBA Rookie of the Year after a standout career at San Jose State University, where she was a two-time All-American, and was voted the Robby Sportsmanship Award three times by her peers during her pro career.

Founded in 1961, the Flowers for the Living Award has had an impressive list of winners through the years. It has been awarded to star bowlers, proprietors, association representatives and business executives from all corners of the industry. (See the January issue of BCM for a complete list.)

The award is unique because it is not owned by any group or organization. Its originators 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 oversees the award and selects the winners.