Born: 1962 (Dearborn Heights, Michigan)
Biography:
Aleta Sill (née Rzepecki) was born on September 9, 1962, in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. She is a retired American professional ten-pin bowler and a current bowling coach. Aleta’s career spanned over two decades, from 1980 to 2001, during which she competed on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour.
From an early age, Aleta showed a natural talent for bowling. She began bowling at the age of 5 when her maternal grandparents, Steve and Adeline Zuke, let her roll a few balls after their league session at Oxford Lanes in Dearborn. Although initially struggling, Aleta quickly fell in love with the game and displayed increasing skill. Her grandparents set a challenge for her – if she could bowl a score of at least 80, they would buy her a ball and shoes. Aleta rose to the occasion, breaking 100 and solidifying her passion for bowling.
Throughout her childhood, Aleta participated regularly in youth leagues, honing her skills and setting her sights on becoming a professional bowler. In 1976, her youth coach, Joe Naso, took her to watch a professional women’s tournament in the Detroit area, which only fueled her determination further. While Aleta played other sports in school, bowling was the one thing she always stuck with, recognizing it as her true calling.
After graduating from Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights, Aleta’s dreams of turning professional became a reality when she joined the PWBA in the summer of 1980. With her grandparents’ support, they agreed to pay her tournament entry fees for that season. Aleta made her professional debut in August of that year at the Stroh Light Classic in Rochester, Michigan, where she finished 11th.
Aleta’s breakthrough on the professional circuit came in 1981. After a heartbreaking second-place finish at the Stardust Classic, she secured her first professional title at the Gallery of Homes Classic in Los Angeles. This victory marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would see Aleta win multiple titles and solidify her place as one of the greatest female bowlers of all time.
In 1983, she won her first major championship at the WIBC Queens tournament. This victory was followed by a win at the Dallas-Fort Worth Classic, making her the Tour’s leading money winner that season. Aleta’s success continued over the years, with her left-handed bowling technique earning her 31 titles, including six major championships.
Aleta’s impact on the sport extended beyond her individual achievements. As the first female bowler to surpass $1 million in career earnings, she shattered barriers and served as an inspiration for future generations of women bowlers. Known for her dedication and relentless work ethic, Aleta became a role model for aspiring athletes, showing them that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.
Recognizing her outstanding contributions to the sport, Aleta was inducted into both the PWBA Hall of Fame and the USBC Hall of Fame in 1996, cementing her legacy as one of bowling’s greatest icons. For the majority of her career, Aleta represented the Ebonite national pro staff, further establishing her reputation as an ambassador for the sport.
Today, Aleta Sill continues to contribute to the bowling community as a coach, passing on her wealth of knowledge and experience to the next generation of bowlers. Her impact on the sport, both as a player and a mentor, remains invaluable, and her legacy as a pioneer for women in bowling will forever be celebrated.
Awards:
– Inductee into the PWBA Hall of Fame (1996)
– Inductee into the USBC Hall of Fame (1996)