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98:
turned his attention to baseball, and later boxing. He competed under the pseudonym "Andy Bell," believing it was a more suitable name for an athlete. Varipapa was hit by a truck whilst riding a bicycle during one of New York's many transit strikes in 1919, preventing him from pursuing baseball and boxing any further.
287:, one of bowling's first "pro shops." The concept of custom-fit bowling balls was relatively new, and the business thrived as bowling became increasingly popular in the 1950s. In 1960, the company expanded to 11 locations in four states, and when Frank died in 1988, he still owned the flagship store in Mineola.
222:
While retired from competition, Varipapa performed more than 100 days per year during the 1960s before cutting back to 20-30 per year in the mid-1970s. Suffering from arthritis, he began to bowl left-handed in 1969 and within a couple months was averaging in the 180s. President Nixon named him to the
97:
Varipapa became a well-known bowler in
Brooklyn, but was disillusioned by the seedier aspects of the sport. He wanted to earn money from his talent, not from gambling. Without big-money tournaments, head-to-head matches were the only way for bowlers to make a living. He quit bowling for a time and
339:
made
Varipapa the centerpiece of a series of commercials. Identified only as "Grandpa," Varipapa's shots from Bowling Tricks were overlaid with a narrator's voice criticizing millennial behavior. In one, the narrator states, "Grandpa wasn’t allergic to cats, or dust, or pollen. He was allergic to
275:
Varipapa never smoked and rarely drank, a rarity among someone who spent so much time in bowling alleys. His health was such that after gallbladder surgery in 1956, his surgeon remarked that Andy's "blood pressure, vital capacity, muscular reflexes, and pulse rate were those of a younger man."
129:, and over the next several years, became one of the top bowlers in New York City. He bowled the first of his 78 300 games on March 28, 1927, and during the next two seasons captured the Brooklyn Alley Owners Individual, Long Island Individual, and Brooklyn Alley Owners Doubles titles.
145:'s top bowlers. Varipapa was the star of the match, averaging 233 over 42 games and leading him and Falcaro to a dominating 1,626 pin victory. Varipapa later said his performance gave him the confidence to focus all of his attention on becoming a professional bowler.
148:
With few avenues to earn a living as a professional, Varipapa turned to learning the trick shots that would catapult him to national prominence. Practicing during off-hours at Lawler's, he started to perform his trick shots in 1932. In 1934, short film producer
165:(1948), made Varipapa the world's most famous bowler during the 1940s and 1950s. He toured from September to May, often six days per week. By 1937 he earned $ 100 per appearance, a handsome wage during the Great Depression.
305:. He signed in as "Mister X," and none of panelists recognized him, nor were able to figure out his identity after the 10 allotted questions. With his shock of white hair and Italian accent, panelist
260:
Varipapa married
Vincenzia (Alice) DeMartino on June 17, 1917. They had three children: Connie (Cornacchia), Frank, and Lorraine (Ruffolo). The family lived in Brooklyn until 1943, when they moved to
121:
just as the U.S. entered World War I in 1917. After being laid off in 1921, he worked for a time selling insurance, but later leased a billiards room at the Empire
Bowling and Billiards Academy in
94:
in 1904 and practiced by emulating the game of a local up-and-comer, James
Melillo. Varipapa made a good choice. After Melillo changed his name to Jimmy Smith, by 1906, he was World's Champion.
296:
The phrase "Varipapa 300" became part of the bowling lexicon due to a quote often attributed to Andy: “If I throw 12 strikes in a row over two games, in my mind, it is a 300 game.”
187:) in a grueling 100-game format, making him the oldest winner. He became the first to win two years in a row when he repeated in 1947 despite a dramatic comeback by 1945 champion
168:
Varipapa was considered to be "the greatest one-man bowling show on Earth" because of his jaw-dropping displays of trick shot artistry. He was famous for his ability to convert
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183:
Beyond his trick shot exhibitions, Varipapa was a solid professional bowler. In 1946, at age 55, he won the prestigious BPAA All-Star competition (predecessor to the
224:
200:
1341:
1326:
1146:
Season 4, week 145. Distributed by Viacom, taped
October 7, 1971. YouTube video posted by Andy Varipapa: Bowling's First Superstar, November 25, 2023.
125:. At Empire, Varipapa began to practice and hone his game. In 1926, brothers Ed and Jim Lawler hired Varipapa to manage their new bowling business in
1336:
1346:
245:
244:) Hall of Fame in 1957. He is also a member of the New York City Bowling Association (1951), Eastern Long Island Bowling Association (1965),
138:
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188:
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after Andy purchased
Hempstead Recreation, a 14-lane bowling center. After Alice's death in 1960,Varipapa lived with Lorraine's family in
227:
in 1970, making him the oldest athlete and the only bowler so honored. He performed his trick shots on the popular ABC television show
279:
In 1951, using seed money from his father, Frank
Varipapa partnered with former Brunswick salesman Stan Lewis and opened Bowl Mart on
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On April 17, 1959, Varipapa won an $ 8,000 jackpot by throwing six consecutive strikes on the popular television show
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including the "impossible" 7-10 split rolling one ball from each hand down the lane. Modern stars including
430:
30:(March 31, 1891 – August 25, 1984) was a professional bowler. He was famous around the world for his
150:
71:, the son of Francesco and Concetta Varipapa. After his father's death, he and his family moved to the
237:
269:
1236:
Diners, Bowling Alleys, and
Trailer Parks: Chasing the American Dream in Postwar Consumer Culture
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280:
91:
229:
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141:
invited
Varipapa to compete in a doubles match against Jim Murgie and Charley Reilly, two of
55:
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Aired on CBS, January 18, 1982. YouTube video posted by Robert Varipapa, February 8, 2013.
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Varipapa credited his good health to daily bowling and moderation in everything.
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328:), “What a day for us! I haven’t been this excited since Andy Varipapa came to
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214:. He retired from competition in March 1962 a week shy of his 71st birthday.
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90:, and in a soap factory. He first bowled at the Fraternity Hall alleys in
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On January 18, 1982, Varipapa's name was mentioned on the CBS hit show
196:
19:
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87:
985:
Walter, John (March 1957). "Varipapa Elected to the Hall of Fame".
336:
233:
in 1980, exposing Varipapa to many who had never seen him perform.
76:
64:
51:
180:
regularly use shots created by Andy in their trick shot routines.
1279:. Edited by Tom McLaughlin. Rev. ed. Bronx, NY: Ishi Press, 2015.
1030:"Sports & Medicine: Bowling Champ Still Going Strong at 65".
192:
83:
993:
772:"Champion U.S. Trick Shot Bowler Makes Difficult Ones Look Easy"
225:
President's Advisory Conference for Physical Fitness and Sports
59:
416:"Carfizzi, la piccola Albania dove si lotta per le tradizioni"
1244:
Brunswick: The Story of an American Company from 1948 to 1985
945:
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Newsletter
68:
894:
431:"Life is Just a Bowl of Tricks: And Andy Has Done Them All!"
1297:
1096:
488:"Andy Varipapa at 81: And How He Keeps Rolling Right Along"
461:"He Couldn't Make the Dodgers but Became 'King of Keglers'"
654:
652:
611:
1175:"Wheaties Makes Marketing Strike with Retro Bowling Ads"
366:. New York: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 305–306.
882:
649:
1268:
The Bowling Chronicles: Collected Writings of Dr. Jake
941:"President Reorganizes Council: Lovell Named Chairman"
800:.” YouTube video posted by PBABowling, March 9, 2015.
721:
572:
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until he died on August 25, 1984, at the age of 93.
1200:“Wheaties Presents Andy Varipapa’s Bowling Tricks.”
248:(1980), New York State Bowling Association (1982),
157:. His performance, along with later appearances in
252:(1984), and Bowling Coaches (2008) Halls of Fame.
1262:. Greenvale, WI: American Bowling Congress, 1995.
109:and became a machinist. After working briefly at
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864:"Varipapa Takes $ 8,000 Jackpot with 9 Strikes"
987:National Bowlers Journal and Billiards Review
733:
359:
153:invited him to appear in his new short film,
1288:. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1978.
870:. Hackensack, NJ. April 18, 1959. p. 13
393:. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. pp. 11–12.
1277:Andy Varipapa’s Quick Way to Better Bowling
1116:"Wolf Spreads Out His 3 Straight Perfectos"
796:Professional Bowlers Association. (2015). “
34:and was the first to ever win back-to-back
912:
631:"Andy Varipapa Bowls Perfect Score of 300"
16:Italian-American Tenpin Bowler (1891–1984)
1342:Sportspeople from the Province of Crotone
1230:New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2013.
1013:"Andy Varipapa Dead; Famed Bowler Was 93"
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268:until 1976, then with Connie's family in
1217:Andy Varipapa: Bowling’s First Superstar
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745:"Schwoegler Wins National Bowling Crown"
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390:Andy Varipapa: Bowling's First Superstar
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309:thought Andy was the physical culturist
18:
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915:"Andy Varipapa is a Rookie Lefty at 78"
836:Bartlett, Charles (December 16, 1947).
485:
459:Hinteroff, John F. (February 2, 1947).
360:Grasso, John; Hartman, Eric R. (2014).
132:
1347:Italian emigrants to the United States
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1285:The Perfect Game: The World of Bowling
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593:"82-Year-Old Trick Bowler Visits City"
590:
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320:. Corporal Maxwell Klinger (played by
957:
913:Demoretcky, Tom (September 9, 1969).
696:
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1327:American people of Arbëreshë descent
770:Anderson, Orlo (December 25, 1932).
542:"At 69, He's Still Hot Bowling Name"
515:"Sports Chat: Varipapa Pin Official"
454:
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355:
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195:. In 1948, Varipapa came close to a
101:While working as a switchman on the
1337:Italian people of Arbëreshë descent
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1253:. Boyton Beach, FL: Goldmark, 1987.
1051:"Try Varipapa's A, B, C of Bowling"
817:. December 23, 1946. pp. 78–79
671:Walker, Punch (December 22, 1930).
513:Cohen, Lou E. (November 25, 1938).
13:
1275:Varipapa, Andy, and Nick Tronsky.
1223:Grasso, John and Eric R. Hartman.
743:Peters, Dick (December 20, 1948).
691:
324:) said to Colonel Sherman Potter (
14:
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1220:. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2024.
838:"Andy Does It; Retains Pin Crown"
701:Kirsch, Fred (February 2, 1973).
449:
380:
350:
105:, Varipapa took night courses at
1322:American ten-pin bowling players
1226:Historical Dictionary of Bowling
1173:Schultz, E.J. (March 27, 2015).
591:Armijo, Pat (October 27, 1974).
540:Van Fleet, Bill (May 30, 1960).
486:Altshul, Jack (March 31, 1972).
429:Barkan, Rhonda (April 6, 1978).
363:Historical Dictionary of Bowling
332:for a trick bowling exhibition.”
255:
246:National Italian-American Sports
1332:Italian ten-pin bowling players
1272:Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2017.
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236:Varipapa was inducted into the
75:in 1903, where they settled in
1246:. Skokie, IL: Brunswick, 1985.
1239:. New York: Basic Books, 2001.
1076:Clemente, Dick (May 5, 1951).
966:. New Brunswick NJ. p. 85
798:PBA’s Best Bowling Trick Shots
637:. March 29, 1927. pp. A-3
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242:United States Bowling Congress
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82:As a teenager, he worked as a
1:
709:. Hackensack, NJ. p. B-8
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199:, finishing second to winner
41:
1122:. March 27, 2013. p. B3
1049:Palmer, Al (June 13, 1971).
958:Bogle, Wes (July 12, 1981).
7:
1084:. Hempstead, NY. p. 25
10:
1363:
1038:(8): 15. February 2, 1957.
960:"Incredible Andy Varipapa"
947:. October 1970. p. 3.
921:. Melville, NY. p. 48
494:. Melville, NY. p. 42
437:. Northport, NY. p. 3
1259:The Bowlers’ Encyclopedia
1159:. Season 10, episode 12.
673:"Punch's Bowling Comment"
238:American Bowling Congress
117:, he landed a job at the
1298:https://andyvaripapa.com
1155:Dubin, Charles S., dir.
1002:, pp. 152, 164–165.
546:Fort Worth Star-Telegram
465:St. Louis Globe-Democrat
387:Gerstner, Glenn (2024).
212:Phillies Jackpot Bowling
776:South Bend (IN) Tribune
418:. Corriere della Serra.
414:Bergamin, Luca (2021).
1251:The Bowling Experience
1055:Pensacola News-Journal
677:Binghampton (NY) Press
24:
868:Bergen Evening Record
340:whiners. And losing.”
299:Varipapa appeared on
23:Andy Varipapa in 1934
22:
1202:AdForum. April 2015.
903:, pp. 140, 165.
635:Brooklyn Daily Eagle
133:Professional bowling
1140:Gross, Lloyd, dir.
1105:, pp. 129–130.
1078:"Around the Alleys"
597:Albuquerque Journal
32:trick bowling shots
1282:Weiskopf, Herman.
1256:Miller, Mark, ed.
1019:. August 27, 1984.
1017:The New York Times
749:Detroit Free Press
291:In popular culture
250:Long Island Sports
205:Madison, Wisconsin
155:Strikes and Spares
127:Stuyvesant Heights
119:Brooklyn Navy Yard
46:Varipapa was born
25:
1214:Gerstner, Glenn.
1161:“Blood and Guts.”
1120:Kenosha (WI) News
989:. pp. 27–29.
620:, pp. 31–33.
400:978-1-4766-9333-0
373:978-0-8108-8022-1
230:That's Incredible
201:Connie Schwoegler
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1293:Official Website
1233:Hurley, Andrew.
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137:In late 1930,
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28:Andy Varipapa
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1182:. Retrieved
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1124:. Retrieved
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1086:. Retrieved
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1061:December 19,
1059:. Retrieved
1057:. p. 6C
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1044:
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1032:Scope Weekly
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970:December 17,
968:. Retrieved
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923:. Retrieved
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218:Later years
161:(1939) and
139:Joe Falcaro
1306:Categories
345:References
322:Jamie Farr
197:three-peat
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159:Set 'Em Up
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