News & Messenger bowling columnist remembered

By Dave Fawcett

Published: July 29, 2008

The wacky name caught magazine editor Bob Cosgrove's attention right away.

It was on a wish list that one of Cosgrove's writers had put together in the summer of 1988 for BOWL Magazine. The writer wanted more league secretaries to be as enthusiastic about bowling as was some guy down in Woodbridge who went by the name of "Crazy Ted."

Cosgrove had no idea about whom who his columnist was talking about, but his curiosity was piqued.

"Who is this 'Crazy Ted?' " Cosgrove recalled thinking.

Cosgrove, like so many others in the bowling community across the country, eventually learned first hand that "Crazy Ted" was Potomac News columnist Ted Gruszkowski and that he was crazy in love with bowling.

Members of that community are now mourning the loss of Gruszkowski, who died Sunday at the age of 71 after a long illness.

Ted Gruszkowski gave much of his life to his country and to bowling. He had been the bowling columnist for the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger since May 1990 and loved to promote the sport without ever promoting himself.

"I think it is safe to say that Ted was known nationwide," said Tom Clark, a former Potomac News sports editor who is currently the vice president and chief operating officer for the Professional Bowlers Association. "And he's an example of how this sport needs to grow: people who give of their time and give a sincere effort and don't expect anything in return."

Gruszkowski was a native of Milwaukee, where he was introduced to bowling in 1953 as a pin boy. He moved to Prince William County in 1971 and spent 20 years in the United States Army, serving in Vietnam and earning the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, three awards of the Army Commendation Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

A modest man, Gruszkowski never talked much about his military time, but when he did, it was clear he was a man with connections.

Cosgrove remembers working a tournament with Gruszkowski when Gruszkowski mentioned some of his experiences.

"I called him 'Radar O'Reilly' from the TV show because he seemed to know everyone and everything," Cosgrove said. "Ted was the one they went to when things were going wrong and they needed help."

After he retired from the Army, Gruszkowski became more involved in bowling .

In 1989, he was elected president of the Guys 'N Dolls League at the then-Fair Lanes in Dale City. He stayed in that position for eight years and during that time he put together a set of bylaws and playing rules that

became a model for other organizations.

He also created the league's Community Charity Program and the league's

activities program. Gruszkowski was so successful there that the Guys 'N Dolls league expanded into two summer leagues.

He was a member of the Nation's Capital Area Bowling Association's board of directors since 1992, chairman of the NCAUSBCA Public Relations Committee, the director of the Southern Bowling Writers Association, a member of the Bowling Writers Association of America, a reporter for the Mid-Atlantic Bowling News and The Bowling News and a commentator for Jones Communications Network "Sports Scene."

In 1999, Gruszkowski was elected into the NCABA Hall of Fame.

He was also recognized for his writing.

In 1997, he received the Metropolitan Bowling Writers Association Joe Richards Memorial Award for Distinguished Bowling Journalism.

And in 1999, he earned a third-place award in the General-Excellence Daily Newspaper Category by the Professional Bowlers Association.

Although he visited many bowling centers, his home base was AMF Dale City Lanes.

"He was part of this

building," said Debbie Fletcher, the league secretary at the center.

Gruszkowski could be seen there constantly, doing everything from coaching kids to retrieving scores for his weekly newspaper column.

"He wanted everyone to be keeping up with the bowling scores," said Kim Potter, the general manager for AMF Dale City Lanes. "He'd get upset if the league office wasn't leaving scores. He wanted people to get recognized."

Gruszkowski, who is survived by his wife, Bernice; daughters Crystal and Christine; son, Robert; and five grandchildren, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Oct. 16.

The viewing will be Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home in Woodbridge. Donations can be made to the Youth Scholarship Fund in care of Tom Dale, 10 Hulbey Drive, Stafford, VA 22556-3816.

"I know he was proud of what he did at the Potomac News," Clark said. "Bowling wishes they had someone like him in every city."

Dave Fawcett can be reached at 703-878-8052.