BCM CLEANS UP AGAIN IN WRITING AWARDS

The streak is over, but the dynasty continues.

That may be the best way to describe BCM’s performance in the annual writing competition conducted by the International Bowling Media Association.

In 2021, the IBMA added a division for business-related stories, and in the first four years of that division’s existence, BCM swept the awards — 12 in all. For 2025, the magazine nabbed two of the three awards, making it 14 out of 15 in five years.

BCM Editor Bob Johnson captured both awards for ’25, earning second place for his story on BPAA Proprietor of the Year Larry Nowak. Titled “A Bowling Business Survivor,” the story chronicled Nowak’s trials and tribulations as he worked his way to becoming a center owner, and how charitable activities have become a hallmark of his operation. Johnson’s honorable mention feature took readers on “An Inland Northwest BEC Tour.”

Johnson also picked up a second-place award in the Feature Division for his story on Daroll and Dolores Frewing Scholarship recipient Ellie Boley, and an honorable mention in the News Division for his profile of BPAA Victor Lerner Award recipient Frank DeSocio. The four awards bring Johnson’s career total to 103, more than any other writer.