Collegiate Bowler Makes History, Finds Controversy in the Process

Jeff Campbell freely admits he considers himself a perfectionist.

“I don’t like to do anything just to do it. I like to be good at it,” said the 22-year-old West Texas A&M University junior said. “I don’t settle for anything less. I strive for perfection.”

But what he accomplished June 12 at Colonial Lanes in his hometown of New Castle, Pa., was something even he considered a lofty goal.

Campbell became the sixth bowler in American Bowling Congress history to roll a 900 series – three consecutive perfect games in the first three games of a pre-bowled four-game block in the Shenango Doubles Mixed League – and set off a wave of controversy in the process.

“Everything just kept going my way,” said Campbell, who rolled a 216 in the fourth game. “Eventually it got to the point where I was so locked in and lined up, you feel like all you’ve got to do is throw the ball and you’ll strike.”

Jeff Campbell - the sixth bowler in American Bowling Congress history to roll a 900 series.

Campbell, who helped lead Vincennes University to consecutive National Junior College Athletic Association championships the last two seasons, rolled through the first 300 and felt himself getting into a rhythm where consecutive perfect games were a possibility.

“The most strikes I had in a row prior to this was 17 or 18,” said Campbell, who had four previous 300 games and carries a 238 high average. “I got to that point then eventually the front nine and I thought, ‘This could be cool. I’ve never had back-to-back 300s before.’”

He got his back-to-back 300s, but he wasn’t done yet. A short while later, he was in the 10th frame of the third game – three strikes away from history.

“Growing up you always have the visions of the first 33 entering the 10th frame of the third game – and there it was in reality,” said Campbell, who was a first-team National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association All-American last season. “As soon as I let the last ball go I was like, ‘Come on, come on.’”

The final ball was perfect in itself – flush into the 1-3 pocket – and set off a wave of emotions for Campbell.

“I’ll admit ... I got choked up and a little teary-eyed,” Campbell said. “Those who know me know I’m a pretty emotional guy.”

While the league is based at Shenango Bowlaway, bowlers are allowed to pre-bowl at either Shenango or Colonial Lanes in accordance with league rules. Because Campbell’s score was not bowled in the normal league setting, ABC officials took additional time to ensure the circumstances under which the score was bowled also complied with ABC rules.

“Because Jeff rolled his 900 in a pre-bowled situation, we took extra care in our review of the accomplishment,” ABC Assistant Executive Director Jack Mordini said in a statement. “We found no conflict with league or ABC rules and congratulate Jeff for taking his place in bowling history.”

Campbell understood that the circumstances of his accomplishment required extra attention from ABC officials.

“I was very patient. They had to do what they had to do and I knew it could go either way,” Campbell said. “I wanted it to be sanctioned, but if it didn’t get sanctioned I knew I accomplished it and no one could take that away.”

No one did take it away, but many tried to tarnish it. Several bowling media outlets across the country and Internet discussion forums questioned how a 900 could be sanctioned in a pre-bowled situation in near-seclusion at a center where the league is not based.

Since Campbell was going on vacation and couldn’t make league play at Bowlaway the following Monday night, he contacted the league secretary and arranged a pre-bowling session at Colonial Lanes.

“I expected some criticism, but I didn’t know it would be to the extent it was,” Campbell said. “I don’t understand how people can come up with notions in their heads without knowing any of the facts or speaking with me.

“People were saying I never contacted a league official to tell them I was pre-bowling or said I was practicing and decided to turn it into pre-bowling.”

Some even questioned his honesty relating to the validity of his score – which, when printed out from the AMF automated scoring machine, revealed not a single correction. It left Campbell hurt and frustrated.

“When people say that I’m lying, of course it upsets me,” Campbell said. “I was raised not to lie. My mother would bite my hands off if I did. I like to think I’m a very credible person.

“I don’t appreciate people who don’t know me making false accusations without talking to me.”

Campbell officially secured his spot in bowling lore on Aug. 13 when he received word that ABC had verified his score, joining Jeremy Sonnenfeld, Tony Roventini, Vince Wood, Robby Portalatin and James Hylton as the only sanctioned 900 shooters in ABC history.

“I’m proud of the accomplishment and I’m proud to be included with the other five who have done it,” Campbell said.

As he should be