Bio: Jennings, Ken – Bowling Hall of Fame (2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Jennings, Luchterhand, Haines

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 4/27/2022

84 Years Old and Still Rocking, Rolling and Bowling (Jennings - 2022)



Shown from (l-r) are Glen Luchterhand, Ken Jennings and Scott Haines.
Jennings was nominated by Haines and Luchterhand for the United States Bowling Congress
Hall of Fame, and is this year’s Neillsville inductee. Submitted photo

The Neillsville United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce Ken Jennings as this year’s Hall of Fame inductee, Jennings was selected for his “superior performance and meritorious service.” Glen Luchterhand and Scott Haines nominated Jennings for this honor.

Jennings started bowling in 1988 at the age of 51, in mixed couple’s leagues on Friday or Saturday evenings. He and his partner earned the title of league champions a total of 11 times over the next 34 years. He retired from over-the-road trucking in 2006 at age 69 and joined the men’s league that fall, bowling with the Frank’s Rollers team (league champions 2007-2008) and later the Speakeasy team on Wednesday nights.

At age 73 he bowled his first 300 game in the men’s league. He bowled a 299 game at 76 years old and his highest series of 769 at age 83. Ken carried a 200-plus average for four seasons and still maintains a 180-plus average.

In addition to bowling, ken served as president of the Tuesday Early Men’s League for nine years and vice president of Wednesday men’s league for five years.

He has been squad leader for Men’s Senior State Tournament for 10 years and with his wife, and coached the Neillsville Special Olympics bowlers for many years.

Ken’s biggest contribution perhaps has been his inspiration to many of the younger bowlers,” wrote Luchterhand in a press release. “He continues to show them that you can still be a very competitive bowler at age 84.”

Many bowlers fondly refer to Jennings as The Legend.”