Catanzarite, James “JC”

 

James “JC” Catanzarite – (1996)

 

He’s come a long way since his student days at Admiral King High School (Class of 1965) where his lone sports activity was bowling. His average, “about 170.” As things turned out, it was only a prelude to what would become a lifetime career as one of Lorain’s all-time greats on the bowling lanes.

Today, at a still relatively young age of 49, James (JC) Catanzarite holds numerous bowling records that border on “untouchable.” For instance, he and his best bowling buddy, Rick Adkins, both averaged 240 last season (1994-95), each of them breaking JC’s earlier Lorain Bowling Association individual season average record (236) set the previous season.

During his 32 years as an American Bowling Congress sanctioned bowler, Catanzarite has bowled six “800” series, including an all-time LBA record 867 set in the Croatian Club Classic League in 1963, eclipsing the previous high of 857 bowled by Ken Mullinax. He has an 832 on record this season.

If that doesn’t convince you of Catanzarite’s Hall of Fame numbers, consider that he is closing in on 400 series of 700 or better, 31 coming during the 1993-94 season and another 28 last season. When he bowled a 300 game in 1994-95, it marked a dozen career perfect games. In addition, JC bowled his third lifetime 299 this season, plus he has a pair of 298 games.

While Catanzarite was unable to pursue a professional bowling career, he is strongly considering the Professional Bowling Association (PBA) senior tour. He would be eligible next year—when he turns 50. JC has competed in 22 ABC tournaments, with his best showing being a 15th place finish in doubles competition when he and Adkins rolled 1,321 when the world’s biggest amateur tenpin event was held in Tampa, Fla.

A fixture in LBA tournaments, Catanzarite had bowled on five city championship teams, and he shares four doubles titles, including one with a record 1,442 pin total that he and Adkins rolled in 1982. JC also holds five all-events city tourney titles, plus one championship in the “700” tournament phase that is held in conjunction with the regular city tournament and is restricted to bowlers who qualify by bowling an ABC sanctioned 700 series in league competition. In addition, he was a member of the winning team in the Champion of Champions phase of the LBA city tournament.

Catanzarite has been a Top 10 LBA Average Bowler in at least 10 of the previous 24 seasons, including the last two which were personal record-setting campaigns. His composite average over that span, according to his own calculations, is “about 210.”

He has already been inducted into the LBA Hall of Fame in 1985.

JC is currently manager of Croatian Club Bowling Lanes where he bowls in three leagues (Classic, GNS Electronic and Croatian Couples with his wife, Kim, as his partner). He has a daughter, Gena, 28, two step-sons, Jason, 21, and Brandon, 20, and a step-daughter, Kristi, 13.