Longtime Junction City Bowl owner Joe Ellison will be inducted in the PBA Southwest Region Hall of Fame. He will be inducted into the Meritorious Service category.

Ellison has hosted PBA ( Professional Bowlers Association ) Southwest Regional events for 11 consecutive years, and in 2014 added PBA50 Regional events to the Southwest schedule. This year Ellison will host his 10th PBA50 Regional event. All of his events have been joint tournaments with the PBA Midwest Region. The induction ceremony will be in Shawnee, Oklahoma at the Grand Casino on September 8th.

Ellison explained why he hosts all of those PBA Tournaments. “First and foremost I’m a fan of the sport. I’ve enjoyed it all my life. Being able to do something at this level with it is a personal feeling of fulfillment to be able to do this type of thing. Not only to be involved but to be able to bring something of this caliber to the community that I’m in, and provide that opportunity up close and personal for people in our community, especially the kids that are growing up. ”

Ellison estimated over time approximately 200 professional bowlers have competed at his establishment. On his Hall of Fame induction Ellison said, “To be in one of the PBA Halls is almost a dream come true really. It’s nice to be recognized for that, and particularly among a group of people and activities that I enjoy so much.” Ellison has owned Junction City Bowl for just over 11 years.