Wheelchair bowlers to roll with pros in Mesa

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Wheelchair bowlers to roll with pros in Mesa

By Jim Gintonio
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 15, 2002

Wheelchair bowlers will receive their largest-ever share of the national spotlight this week at the Rollers and Pro Bowlers event at Mesa Brunswick Lanes.

Thirty-two teams consisting of members of the Professional Women's Bowling Association, the senior tour and wheelchair bowlers will roll for about $120,000 in prize money.

The event starts Wednesday, and Friday's finals will be shown tape-delayed on ESPN2.

While the prize is rewarding, a spokesperson for Wheelchair Bowlers Inc. says it's secondary to the goal of changing public perception.

"If barriers are going to be broken down, people have to see we're human beings," said Tony Alagna of Mesa, who founded the tournament six years ago. "People run from there to here to help you, and that's wonderful, but we need them to come out and watch the event."

The event has attracted the attention of many benefactors, including the main sponsor, businessman David Perling, 61, of Mesa, who has been in a wheelchair for 46 years.

"I intend to be out there bowling, too," he said. "We need this event and need to keep it going."

The professionals have taken a liking to this event, and money is the least of their reasons, Alagna says.

"The pros understand the idea," he said. "They know this gives us a chance to talk to them, and they know what they're giving to the wheelchair people. It's about their time and not about money.

"In what other sport can people in wheelchairs be out there competing with pros on the same level playing ground? This is about showcasing men and women who have lived in wheelchairs for years, and giving them a chance to hobnob with professional athletes."

In qualifying Monday, Tiffany Stanbrough of Oklahoma City led the way with a 242.66 average and 2,184 pinfall.

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