Keep ’em Rolling!!
Welcome to the site that celebrates the life of bowling Hall of Famer
Andy Varipapa
Thank you for visiting this site, dedicated to the life and accomplishments of my grandfather, Andy Varipapa. Although Andy passed away at age 93 over 30 years ago, the Wheaties commercials televised on the PBA Tour earlier this year that showcased his trick shots reignited interest in his life and legend.
As his media resurgence led many people to contact me for more information about Andy’s career, I decided to put this website together with a compilation of his films, photos, and countless newspaper articles that the family has collected over the years. This will be a continuous work in progress as there is a tremendous amount of material both in the family archives as well as out in the bowling world, so I encourage you to follow the blog and receive notifications about new postings.
I also want to hear from the countless people I have met – or have yet to meet – over the years who have “Andy Stories” of their own, and to make that easy you will find a text window and upload link just below the video screen on this page.
You will find several comment boxes on the site and I welcome viewer feedback. Again, thank you very much for visiting and I hope you enjoy viewing and reading about Andy’s nearly 60 years of achievements in the sport of bowling.
Sincerely,
Andy Varipapa II
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Andy was a legend from my youth. Great man and trick shot artist. I remember a bowling alley in the San Pedro, CA area named after him. A true treasure to this great game
Thank you for your kind words. After all these years I still hear from fans like yourself who remember Andy.
Truly one of the greatest bowlers to ever grace a lane. I have NEVER seen anyone replicate any of the trick shots he pulled off on a regular basis. The control and precision required to do some of those shots is off the charts.
Thanks for your comments Tom. Many people have tried and have come up with their own variations. I always enjoy looking at the old films. Andy never told his secrets but I’m sure he put in hours of practice.
Amazing, incredible, a true artist in his field. I watched a video featuring Andy, and it was a pleasure to see his talents!😁
I grew up in Huntington L.I and would often enjoy watching Andy bowl. One of his trick shots was throwing a ball with each hand but on two lanes striking both. Truly amazing man with a kind heart.
Thank you for your comment Michael. I spent many days with Andy at Century’s Huntington Lanes and it was fascinating to see how many people came up to him to say hello and hear his stories.
Working in radio in the 1970’s, I came across a radio program record of Andy Veripapa. A 10 second open, followed by a local commercial…and then a 60 second bowling story from Andy. I loved them and once in a while played them. The nostalgia was great and Andy had a great way of telling his stories. Do you have the audio from those old “made for radio” discs? I looked and didn’t see them on your site. The record spots probably dated to around the 1950s. Enjoyed your site. Thanks!
Dennis
Hi Dennis. I do have one radio spot from the 1950’s. It’s an interview with a sports host and last about 10 minutes, It is on the site at this link: https://andyvaripapa.com/listen-to-andy-live-speaking-of-sports-with-andy-varipapa-april-24-1950/. Thanks for your post!
I just watched a short film on Turner Classic Movies which featured your grandfather, Andy! It was thrilling to watch. Such a talented man with such a winning smile! I am so glad that you have this site running. It is truly a tribute! Thank you! Maria Rizzo
Thank you for the kind words Maria. After all these years I’m happy to see that people still enjoy his talents.
I am probably the World’s Worst Bowler, but the one name I retained
from my youth was Andy VarIpapa. I heard it everywhere. What a man and what a legend.
I grew up on Long Island and when I was about 10 & 11, he held bowling lessons for kids on Saturday mornings at (I want to say Hempstead Bowl, maybe it was Mineola). He was ALWAYS patient and humorous. I was one of his worst students even though I really tried. I’ll never forget the many times he’d walk part way down the lane, point his toe at an arrow and say HIT MY TOE. When I finally did, he gave the biggest hug, which just filled me with confidence. My family never missed watching Andy bowl on tour on TV. I’m now 76, and I remember him and those lessons like it was yesterday.
I first met Andy in 1957, at Terminal Lanes (in the basement of the bus terminal) in Hempstead. I bowled in the junior league on Saturday mornings, and Andy would be there before the league began, offering tips and entertaining us with his amazing trick shots. In January ‘58, my dad took me to Andy’s pro shop in Mineola, where his Frank (your dad?) fitted me for my first Brunswick bowling ball. When my dad told him our last name, he asked if we knew Al. He was my dad’s younger brother. It turns out Frank had bowled in leagues with him, years before. My dad then said the his dad (who was much older than Andy ) had bowled (money matches) against Andy in Brooklyn. When we returned to pick up my new ball, Andy was there, and he said he remembered my grandfather.
Years later, I was out in Huntington, and stopped at Century Lanes to bowl a few games. There were only a few people bowling, so got a pair of lanes, put on my shoes and started to bowl, when I noticed an elderly white haired man bowling left-handed, on the lanes next to me. To my surprise, when he turned around, I was looking at Andy Varipapa! I introduced myself, and we had short chat, bowled a few frames, and when I departed, he was still bowling.
Great memories, of a great man!
Andy II….Great site to honor your grandfather.