James F. Podowski was born in Baltimore, Maryland, June
19, 1930 to Mr. and Mrs.. F. J. podowski of Rosedale. He exhibited
his athletic ability early with three Varsity letters at Kenwood
High School. He then continued his education at Baltimore Junior
college and the University of Baltimore with degrees in Industrial
Engineering and Business management.
Jim and his former wife Ellen have three children; daughter, Kimberly and two sons, James and Eric. The family moved to Ocean City and owned Granny's Pub for a number of years before Jim returned to the Baltimore area.
Jim started bowling tenpins in 1961. His progression to
the top was swift. Only 5 years after taking up the sport, Jim
rolled a three game series of 812 while participating in the Maryland
State Tournament. Thirty years later his score still stands as
the State Tournament record. At the time, Jim's score was the 3rd
highest series by a left-hander in the history of ABC. That score
powered Jim and his partner, a young bowler named Mike
Lastowski, to the first of many State Titles for each. In addition to
doubles, Jim also won the scratch team event and the scratch allevents
title with 2038 in 1966. His "Granny's Pub" team also won
State titles in 1967 and 1978.
Other accomplishments in Jim's career include:
2 GBM Team Titles
2 GBBA Doubles Titles
1 GBA Singles Title
Camp Hill Singles
Rocky Springs Doubles
Leisure Lanes Doubles
Harford Lanes Doubles
Prior to 1974 Jim averaged over 200 for four seasons. He also represented both Baltimore and Maryland in two ABC Masters Tournaments.Jim has also given back to the sport. He served on the GBBA Board of Directors for four years. He also has been instrumental in the formation of, and participating as an officer in many scratch leagues over the years, In recent years, Jim has assisted many bowlers of all averages by sharing his vast knowledge of the game. There are many top players in the area that would assess his coaching ability as rivaling his on-lane prowess.
It is with great honor that the Maryland State bowling Association selects James Francis Podowski as the inaugural inductee in the Superior Performance Category of the Maryland State Bowling Association Hall of Fame.