Chris Shenkel was a great broadcaster for six decades he covered everything from bowling to the Olympics. Chris Schenkel was inducted into 16 halls of fame, including the American Sportscasters Association and College and Pro Football halls, and he won an Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1993....R.I.P. Chris
Chris Schenkel was a part of my childhood in the same way Jim McKay,Charlie Jones, Keith Jackson were. You just knew those guys would announce the sporting events every time they were on the air. They did it so well and their voices will live in my memory until I too am gone from this earth. Thank you gentlemen.
I met Chris Schenkel very many times in person and was several times out for dinner with him. It was also a great experience for me as European to listen to his stories and meet some of his friends. He is a great man that I never forget.
listen to todays broadcast and listen to Schenkel, Gowdy,Olsen,Cosell,Musburger,Michaels,Enberg,McKay,Gifford,Garagiola,Buck,Scully and so on. As you see in that list--thats Joe Buck--not his son that was handed a broadcast job becuase of who his father was--With the exception of Costas these guys cant be touched by anyone today. They had to work at it not look pretty and grab a microphone. I watched Chris for years on ABC Wide world of sports and The PBA tour. Great Job.
What happened to bowling in America?...In Miami where I grew up there was once 30 bowling centers in the 1970s..now there is 1....ONE...and I refuse to count the flashy club style "Strike" places real bowling centers
Chris Schenkel was the best voice on TV EVER... Y did it ever end? Bo Burton , u made it exciting as well. Hope ur watching and listening... You were a greatv commentator. I loved when u emphasized ur voice like u always did, you would say something like, ON THE LEFT LANE. WITH EMPHASIS.... NEVER FORGFET
i visit this video from time to time and enjoy reading the current comments. thanks to all for sharing good memories. bowling will never be this good on TV.
Interesting that despite all of our interests, it is still not big enough to support bowling throughout the years! this year's tour of only 12 stops is a good example of that.
Chris Schnekel also was the commentator on the last sports telecast (and the last program of any kind), a boxing martch, on the old DuMont network in August of 1956.
While he did a lot of sports, he will always be known as "The Voice Of Bowling".
I was getting ready to watch this 1995 farewell to the PBT on ABC, but I couldn't bring myself to go on with it. So many wonderful memories of Saturdays from 3:30 to 5:00, listening mainly to Billy Welu, Nelson Burton, and of course Chris Schenkel, ans watching the best bowlers in the world get off. I know bowling's now on ESPN, but at a time I really can see it only occasionally, and I sit and grieve over a sport that I still love so much getting the shaft. Thanx again for the memories.
The most exciting one game i ever saw was when Bob Learn bowled the 300 in that fantastic arena setting. Schenkel and Burton just sat back and let the crowd tell the story. Was sooooo great!!..If bowling could have capsuled the excitement of that one game then they would still be on network TV..Thanks for the post A++++
The best line I heard was Burton at the 1988 Quaker State Open, on the 12th shot of Bob Benoit's 300. "Nothing to think about now, keep your eyes on your target and hope the good Lord wants ya to have it...." I am blessed with 300 games and 800 series (BEFORE 1991) I think watching the PBA on ABC and listening to Chris and Nelson helped.....Thanks! RIP Chris and Earl....
I saw this coming in 1994 when I was at the True Value Open. I went to Peoria Ill. to watch the bowling on Friday night and again on Saturday. I met FACE TO FACE with the producer of the TV show. We were having trouble with the show being broadcast in Omaha. Seems that cornhusker basketball was more important. I asked her what could I do about getting it put back on. She said at the time that ABC was looking into turning over the program to ESPN. In short, why give it away when you can sell it
There wasn't two announcers more passionate about the game of bowling than Nelson Burton, Jr. and Chris Schenkel. The game of bowling truly misses these two outstanding individuals.
Chris schenkel,Bob varsha,Dave despain.the greatest announcers who ever lived/live. period. smooth,intelligent,massive vocabulary and an incredible gift of improvisation and chutzpah.
@Airsoftcleaner You are right. I used to work on Saturdays back then and record the show every week. Never missed it. Burton and Schenkel were great and the main reason I loved watching ABC's bowling so much. Also I liked it better in the bowling alley, than the arena bowling.
Wow... everytime I watch this it brings a tear. Mr. Schenkel was simply a class act all the way. What a gentleman.
Back in the day, Saturdays were just the best. AJBC bowling first thing, then later at 3:30ET, watching the Professional Bowlers Tour was just the best. Hearing Chris and Bo calling the action was just incredible.
Change in life is a given of course... but how I long for the days such as the memories...
Possibly the most underrated sports announcer in history! I don't know what the stats are, but I am sure that bowling has much fewer participants than it did in the 50-70's. Most of the classic small houses have also gone the way of bowling on over the air TV. Sad
Thank you for posting this, you made my day. I used to watch the PBA on Saturdays with my Dad who is now gone, it is some of my best memories of him. Just hearing the voices of Chris and Nellie took me back 35 years. THANK YOU.
The likes of a Chris Schenkel we will never see again.....Sadly, gone are the days of such commentators...These idiots on sports TV for the most part have runied sports broadcasting....it's just an indication of the rest of the country and how we are slipping ever so slowly onto the ash heap of history...the worm is in everything.
ESPN has ruined watching sports. You see ESPN would rather show some "dick" girating in the endzone after a TD rather than to focus on how the player got open from the offenive line blocking. I would have to say Deion Sanders was the "Dick" who originally started this, maybe a Dennis Rodmn too! Sports viewing today is awful.
"A Place in the Sun" by Stevie Wonder. Perfect. No offense to the PBA today, but this was the day the sport died as far as I was concerned. We'll never see anyone like Chris again.
thanxx mrbowling300 for the post!! brings back great memories of my childhood.just calling great sporting events as they happened. not all that analytical crap we see on espn today!!!!
The Greatest bowling announcing team of all time.Tears come to my eyes watching this video,I grew up with this man and it was a pleasure tuning in on Saturday afternoons to watch bowling........ESPN (along with Randy Pedersen)has made a mockery of Bowling telecasts,they have become sleazy and distasteful No one has the class and No one ever will of Chris Schenkel
An underappreciated broadcast icon, his deep assured resonance was a perfect companion to the (relatively) youthful intensity of Nelson Burton, Jr. Chris Schenkel's dignity and class came through with every syllable, never resorting to cheap crutches, always voicing his comments with the average viewer in mind. He was one of the last of a dying breed of greats. Televised bowling owes its proud (and sadly forgotten) legacy to Chris and Bo, a legacy that has, tragically, been abandoned by ESPN.
Nobody will ever come close to being as good as Chris Schenkel. While I think the current people who run the PBA have done many many good things.....the announcing is utterly awful. If I watch a telecast now, I have to mute it.
Chris Schenkel was .. and still is in the hearts of many.. a class act that will never be duplicated. I grew up watching Bo Burton and Chris side by side on Saturday afternoons in the 70's and 80's while watching the PBA Tour on ABC. Thanks for all of the memories Chris! You WERE ONE OF THE BEST!!!
i couldn't agree more, as a lifelong bowler, i grew up watching chris schenkel on saturday afternoons, after coming home from my bowling league...we miss you chris...
This was such a moving tribute. As a kid in the 70's, my earliest recollections were of Schenkel doing broadcasts on ABC. All I remember was his amazing voice. RIP Chris and let the light shine on ya...
Mr. Schenkel could have made a marbles competition sound exciting. I never would have watched bowling on television if not for the class and professionalism of Chris Shenkel. Truly missed.
Chris Schenkel was a consummate professional. They would never hire him today because he didn't feel the need to be a flashy schtick. He knew people were watching to see the event and not to hear him announce. He was a COMMENTATOR, not trying to be the show itself. TV (and corporations in general)today are about a fast buck and not the quality of the product. The old PBA telecasts had a lustre that nothing even comes close to today. RIP Chris.
I really wish ESPN didn't absorb ABC Sports. It was a special organization that was devoted to bringing the best and most substantial AND enlightening coverage to the viewers.
The good thing about ESPN televising the PBA tour is that the bowlers didn't continue to bowl while ESPN went to commercial. You saw every frame of every game.
Another Chris Schenkel memory, but it was not bowling...He was riding once in a pace car with astronaut John Glenn at the Indianapolis 500. When the driver pulled into pit lane, he did not gage his speed and could not stop in time, hitting a grandstand at the end of the pits. John Glenn and Chris Schenkel reacted quickly enough to duck down below the backseat wheel wells to miss injuries. For obvious reasons, Chris Shenkel was too shaken up to broadcast the race on ABC that day.
The ESPN telecasts will never have the special feel the old ABC telecasts had. And until I have proof I will never hear the word hambone again, I just don't think i can bear to watch what they have done with the PBA.
One thing ESPN should do is put PBT back on Saturday afternoons at 3:30.
Another thing I don't really like are these "arena" backdrops. I liked it when the just bowled in a different house each week...each had a unique look. Now it seems like they bowl in the same place week to week.
Also replace the ESPN announcers with Nelson Burton Jr and get rid of those stupid made up posters the fans hold that contain Denny's ads just so they can get on TV.
Chris Schenkel was definitely one of the best sportscasters of all time. The last episode of the Professional Bowlers Tour was sad since i was a fan of the show and would come home to watch it religiously each Saturday. It's great to see that clip again since it brings back memories of the final show.
Chris Schenkel was born in the village of Bippus, Indiana. When talking to Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show he said: "For as long as I can remember, Bippus has had 100 people. Every time a baby is born, somebody leaves town." Also, while announcing a college football game that included the Southern Methodist Mustangs, the game sponsor was Chevy Camaro. He called SMU anything but "mustangs". It was either: "wild horses or small ponies." It was funny..I assume he was ordered to do so.
Back when i was a young kid, i used to bowl in YBA leagues in the 70's on Saturdays mornings then i would come home and we all sit in front of the TV and watch ABC's Pro bowlers Tour. Also my dad took me to see the King Louie Open, for many years, now its all over, It will never be the same NEVER!
By the way...Chris Schenkel's last television work would be narrating feature stories for TNT's coverage of the 1998 Winter Olympics (CBS had the broadcast rights). He never appeared on-camera though.
I cried at the end of PBT. Word had it ABC told these guys they were pulling the plug on the show 1 hour before they went on! Nice going ABC!
Watch the PBA rarely now. Randy Peterson is good + a nice guy, but they should pair him up with Nelson Burton or even some veteran like Jay Randolph. The ESPN announcers all are dull and sound the same.
Chris Schenkel's voice still resonates in my head after all these years.
not to disagree..i don't bring other peoples comments down..but i do beleve that they knew it was the final telecast..in fact in 1996..they mentioned on air that the contract was extended for an extra year..
it's a shame that its off of ABC..such great memories..
Thank you Chris Schenkel for all your contributions to the PBA Tour. You may have left us physically, but legends never die. You will forever be remembered and loved by bowling fans young and old.
chris is the "bar" and the "benchmark" we should all compare to in sports broadcasting, there will nevr be another like, just like alot of fans i lived for saturday afternoons to watch my favorite bowlers do battle. when Bo would make the telecast another "true man of class" would step in and sub for Bo, Dick Weber, those 2 WERE the classiest men in all of sports and will be for the ages.
Wow....I started watching "Make That Spare" right after the Gillette Fight of the Week. The fight would last 45 min. and the bowling was 15 min. Then Pro Bowler's Tour started and I lived for Saturdays with Chris and Billy (Welu)...after Billy passed we were so lucky to have "Bo" Burton hook up with Chris and the rest was history. Consummate Professionals! As "Bo" Burton would say, "The SOLID-8....the ONLY true tap!!!!" Thanks for the memories on Saturdays, guys........good times!
Saturdays were so special to me. In the fall and winter, I had college football and in the spring and summer there was bowling. Can't beat it!!! Schenkel is everything that Dave Ryan ISN'T
Their will never be a better announcing duo for bowling like Schenkel and Burton. They made watching PBA bowling on Saturday's enjoyable and fun. ESPN SUCKS!!!!
espn doesn't have the magic and its at a bad time slot next to the nfl. it needs to go back on one of the big three abc nbc or cbs on saturdays. hell who wants to watch rodeo or volleyball on saturdays at 2 o clock?
Anybody else miss ABC's coverage of the Profession Bowlers Tour?
I don't know how to say this, but ESPN does not have the "magic" ABC had. I used to love looking forward to Saturday afternoon @ 2:00 pm. I am 43 so It was on since I can remember.
Perhaps is was Chris Schenkel & Nelson Burton Jr? The "quietness"? I dunno.
I'll buy that. He and Bo Burton, Jr. were like Pat Summerall and John Madden. Glad as a little kid I couldn't have waited to go home from being with my dad and watch the Pro Bowlers Tour on ABC.
R.I.P. Chris Schenkel. He was such a wonderful man. As one of the most recognized announcers in the world of sports, he could walk with the kings, but still be humble and appreciative of any accolades he earned. With never a bad word on anyone, it was no suprise that he was liked by so many. I never will forget that day. Thanks for posting this.
Chris Shenkel was a great broadcaster for six decades he covered everything from bowling to the Olympics. Chris Schenkel was inducted into 16 halls of fame, including the American Sportscasters Association and College and Pro Football halls, and he won an Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1993....R.I.P. Chris
geocgeo 6 days ago
Maybe the PBA should try to back to the well and go back to these types of shows.
rusty1078 1 month ago
Chris Schenkel was a part of my childhood in the same way Jim McKay,Charlie Jones, Keith Jackson were. You just knew those guys would announce the sporting events every time they were on the air. They did it so well and their voices will live in my memory until I too am gone from this earth. Thank you gentlemen.
buffalobraves9 1 month ago
Pro-Bowling DIED after ABC dropped it!
HemiDart 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
I met Chris Schenkel very many times in person and was several times out for dinner with him. It was also a great experience for me as European to listen to his stories and meet some of his friends. He is a great man that I never forget.
cleantradebelgium 6 months ago
@ 2:28 the ref walked into the best punch of the fight
StFidjnr 9 months ago
listen to todays broadcast and listen to Schenkel, Gowdy,Olsen,Cosell,Musburger,Michaels,Enberg,McKay,Gifford,Garagiola,Buck,Scully and so on. As you see in that list--thats Joe Buck--not his son that was handed a broadcast job becuase of who his father was--With the exception of Costas these guys cant be touched by anyone today. They had to work at it not look pretty and grab a microphone. I watched Chris for years on ABC Wide world of sports and The PBA tour. Great Job.
askthecomputercoach 9 months ago 2
Schenkle did it all every sport play by play the best ever.
sammyvh11 9 months ago
This was when the PBA had a element of class left. What it is now is like the movie idiocracy.
Polarcupcheck 9 months ago
What happened to bowling in America?...In Miami where I grew up there was once 30 bowling centers in the 1970s..now there is 1....ONE...and I refuse to count the flashy club style "Strike" places real bowling centers
StoneCold75 10 months ago
God.....Chis Schenkel broadcasted in a time when class mattered-He is sorely missed.
mottthehoople684 11 months ago 6
Chris Schenkel was the best voice on TV EVER... Y did it ever end? Bo Burton , u made it exciting as well. Hope ur watching and listening... You were a greatv commentator. I loved when u emphasized ur voice like u always did, you would say something like, ON THE LEFT LANE. WITH EMPHASIS.... NEVER FORGFET
misterbillylicious 1 year ago
i cant believe abc let this happen... one of the biggest mistakes on television... what the hell is wrong with you
misterbillylicious 1 year ago 5
i visit this video from time to time and enjoy reading the current comments. thanks to all for sharing good memories. bowling will never be this good on TV.
Interesting that despite all of our interests, it is still not big enough to support bowling throughout the years! this year's tour of only 12 stops is a good example of that.
rallyden 1 year ago
Mr. Chris, my cousin, all my best, Sir.
imgone54321 1 year ago
mrbowling - do you have a clip of Earl Anthony's 299 game on TV - when he got tapped with the 9 pin on the last shot?
tigerpaw46 1 year ago
Chris Schnekel also was the commentator on the last sports telecast (and the last program of any kind), a boxing martch, on the old DuMont network in August of 1956.
While he did a lot of sports, he will always be known as "The Voice Of Bowling".
altfactor 1 year ago 2
I was getting ready to watch this 1995 farewell to the PBT on ABC, but I couldn't bring myself to go on with it. So many wonderful memories of Saturdays from 3:30 to 5:00, listening mainly to Billy Welu, Nelson Burton, and of course Chris Schenkel, ans watching the best bowlers in the world get off. I know bowling's now on ESPN, but at a time I really can see it only occasionally, and I sit and grieve over a sport that I still love so much getting the shaft. Thanx again for the memories.
WSenator1 1 year ago
The most exciting one game i ever saw was when Bob Learn bowled the 300 in that fantastic arena setting. Schenkel and Burton just sat back and let the crowd tell the story. Was sooooo great!!..If bowling could have capsuled the excitement of that one game then they would still be on network TV..Thanks for the post A++++
20cardmg 1 year ago
The best line I heard was Burton at the 1988 Quaker State Open, on the 12th shot of Bob Benoit's 300. "Nothing to think about now, keep your eyes on your target and hope the good Lord wants ya to have it...." I am blessed with 300 games and 800 series (BEFORE 1991) I think watching the PBA on ABC and listening to Chris and Nelson helped.....Thanks! RIP Chris and Earl....
SMITHnWESSON44m 1 year ago
I saw this coming in 1994 when I was at the True Value Open. I went to Peoria Ill. to watch the bowling on Friday night and again on Saturday. I met FACE TO FACE with the producer of the TV show. We were having trouble with the show being broadcast in Omaha. Seems that cornhusker basketball was more important. I asked her what could I do about getting it put back on. She said at the time that ABC was looking into turning over the program to ESPN. In short, why give it away when you can sell it
SMITHnWESSON44m 1 year ago
DId he die?
djm50able 1 year ago
@djm50able Yes
organmaster1969 1 year ago
There wasn't two announcers more passionate about the game of bowling than Nelson Burton, Jr. and Chris Schenkel. The game of bowling truly misses these two outstanding individuals.
bige300 1 year ago 2
This guy was at my hotel last night.
AcidSkater2008 1 year ago
Chris schenkel,Bob varsha,Dave despain.the greatest announcers who ever lived/live. period. smooth,intelligent,massive vocabulary and an incredible gift of improvisation and chutzpah.
robotennis61 1 year ago
love it.... thanks! i'm saddened to see ABC stop televising pba- however, i'm glad espn still televises pba.....
RLE300 1 year ago
Sat afternoons will never be the same
Airsoftcleaner 1 year ago 2
@Airsoftcleaner You are right. I used to work on Saturdays back then and record the show every week. Never missed it. Burton and Schenkel were great and the main reason I loved watching ABC's bowling so much. Also I liked it better in the bowling alley, than the arena bowling.
monkeeman1966 1 year ago
This was an excellent piece
STU676 1 year ago
Comment removed
myerssmooth 2 years ago
jwm239...you just said it best. Same memories for me here in Detroit.
myerssmooth 2 years ago
...I also recall watching and hearing the
legendary Schenkel (along with Nelson
Burton Jr) on all those wintry Saturday
afternoons after a festive morning of
junior bowling in Cazenovia NY.
jwm239 2 years ago 2
Chris Schenkel: epitome of calm cool. R.I.P.
2nd2nun1 2 years ago 4
They just do not make announcers like they use to.
jdd1361 2 years ago 3
thanks for posting..a touching moment for a class act all the way...I miss his down to earth style...rgs...we miss you Chris!
mottthehoople684 2 years ago 2
Wow... everytime I watch this it brings a tear. Mr. Schenkel was simply a class act all the way. What a gentleman.
Back in the day, Saturdays were just the best. AJBC bowling first thing, then later at 3:30ET, watching the Professional Bowlers Tour was just the best. Hearing Chris and Bo calling the action was just incredible.
Change in life is a given of course... but how I long for the days such as the memories...
GuitarMan027 2 years ago 3
The day Bowling on TV died.
bigbilly2006 2 years ago 26
Possibly the most underrated sports announcer in history! I don't know what the stats are, but I am sure that bowling has much fewer participants than it did in the 50-70's. Most of the classic small houses have also gone the way of bowling on over the air TV. Sad
BOOGE64 2 years ago
Thank you for posting this, you made my day. I used to watch the PBA on Saturdays with my Dad who is now gone, it is some of my best memories of him. Just hearing the voices of Chris and Nellie took me back 35 years. THANK YOU.
buffalobraves9 2 years ago
u all r so rit pederson & stone r totaly clueless
gordiejr100 2 years ago
The likes of a Chris Schenkel we will never see again.....Sadly, gone are the days of such commentators...These idiots on sports TV for the most part have runied sports broadcasting....it's just an indication of the rest of the country and how we are slipping ever so slowly onto the ash heap of history...the worm is in everything.
DCdrumz59 2 years ago
ESPN has ruined watching sports. You see ESPN would rather show some "dick" girating in the endzone after a TD rather than to focus on how the player got open from the offenive line blocking. I would have to say Deion Sanders was the "Dick" who originally started this, maybe a Dennis Rodmn too! Sports viewing today is awful.
ShutupHollywood 2 years ago 2
"A Place in the Sun" by Stevie Wonder. Perfect. No offense to the PBA today, but this was the day the sport died as far as I was concerned. We'll never see anyone like Chris again.
MikeHL78 2 years ago 4
Thanks for posting this...wonderful video of one of TV's greats.
user60035839 2 years ago
thanxx mrbowling300 for the post!! brings back great memories of my childhood.just calling great sporting events as they happened. not all that analytical crap we see on espn today!!!!
gymbo63 2 years ago
The Greatest bowling announcing team of all time.Tears come to my eyes watching this video,I grew up with this man and it was a pleasure tuning in on Saturday afternoons to watch bowling........ESPN (along with Randy Pedersen)has made a mockery of Bowling telecasts,they have become sleazy and distasteful No one has the class and No one ever will of Chris Schenkel
aranere 2 years ago 4
An underappreciated broadcast icon, his deep assured resonance was a perfect companion to the (relatively) youthful intensity of Nelson Burton, Jr. Chris Schenkel's dignity and class came through with every syllable, never resorting to cheap crutches, always voicing his comments with the average viewer in mind. He was one of the last of a dying breed of greats. Televised bowling owes its proud (and sadly forgotten) legacy to Chris and Bo, a legacy that has, tragically, been abandoned by ESPN.
blackhawk54 2 years ago
Nobody will ever come close to being as good as Chris Schenkel. While I think the current people who run the PBA have done many many good things.....the announcing is utterly awful. If I watch a telecast now, I have to mute it.
lulionbowler 2 years ago
mà oi mà oi mà oi
Ronaldo,
matfdp123 2 years ago
Chris Schenkel also plugged the shortlived "I Can't Believe It's Beer" beer substitute in 1978.
vividwatch47 2 years ago
Chris Schenkel was .. and still is in the hearts of many.. a class act that will never be duplicated. I grew up watching Bo Burton and Chris side by side on Saturday afternoons in the 70's and 80's while watching the PBA Tour on ABC. Thanks for all of the memories Chris! You WERE ONE OF THE BEST!!!
crazy4worldseries 2 years ago
i couldn't agree more, as a lifelong bowler, i grew up watching chris schenkel on saturday afternoons, after coming home from my bowling league...we miss you chris...
domirules28 2 years ago
This was such a moving tribute. As a kid in the 70's, my earliest recollections were of Schenkel doing broadcasts on ABC. All I remember was his amazing voice. RIP Chris and let the light shine on ya...
ripperduck 2 years ago
Chris was a class act!! He is missed greatly!
tallykniffen 2 years ago 3
Mr. Schenkel could have made a marbles competition sound exciting. I never would have watched bowling on television if not for the class and professionalism of Chris Shenkel. Truly missed.
sgmson 3 years ago
Y'know. With his passing and now Irving R. Levine's passing. We are in the schreeking idiot era of TV broadcasting.
deesyphrr 2 years ago 3
Randy Peterson and Nelson Burton Jr could make for a very good Commentary team for ESPN's PBA Coverage.
Haurko01 3 years ago
yeah Bo for PBA coverage
stormBIGbowling 2 years ago
Chris Schenkel was a consummate professional. They would never hire him today because he didn't feel the need to be a flashy schtick. He knew people were watching to see the event and not to hear him announce. He was a COMMENTATOR, not trying to be the show itself. TV (and corporations in general)today are about a fast buck and not the quality of the product. The old PBA telecasts had a lustre that nothing even comes close to today. RIP Chris.
bowler811 3 years ago 26
Love the show...thanks for posting it. I missed the last show...probably would've cried had I watched it live. I almost cried watching it just now.
rallyden 3 years ago
I really wish ESPN didn't absorb ABC Sports. It was a special organization that was devoted to bringing the best and most substantial AND enlightening coverage to the viewers.
dcbandnerd 3 years ago 2
The good thing about ESPN televising the PBA tour is that the bowlers didn't continue to bowl while ESPN went to commercial. You saw every frame of every game.
penguinsl 3 years ago
Another Chris Schenkel memory, but it was not bowling...He was riding once in a pace car with astronaut John Glenn at the Indianapolis 500. When the driver pulled into pit lane, he did not gage his speed and could not stop in time, hitting a grandstand at the end of the pits. John Glenn and Chris Schenkel reacted quickly enough to duck down below the backseat wheel wells to miss injuries. For obvious reasons, Chris Shenkel was too shaken up to broadcast the race on ABC that day.
GaryW48 3 years ago
The ESPN telecasts will never have the special feel the old ABC telecasts had. And until I have proof I will never hear the word hambone again, I just don't think i can bear to watch what they have done with the PBA.
bowlerdave 3 years ago
That hambone thing IS dumb.
One thing ESPN should do is put PBT back on Saturday afternoons at 3:30.
Another thing I don't really like are these "arena" backdrops. I liked it when the just bowled in a different house each week...each had a unique look. Now it seems like they bowl in the same place week to week.
Also replace the ESPN announcers with Nelson Burton Jr and get rid of those stupid made up posters the fans hold that contain Denny's ads just so they can get on TV.
majaman1978 3 years ago
I remember watching ABC's Pro Bowlers Tour every Saturday when I was a kid. Also, Chris Schenkel (RIP) was one of greatest hosts for Bowling on ABC.
usa02 3 years ago 4
wait a minute, is Chris Schenkel still alive today? By the way I loved this a whole lot. I was sad they don't have bowling on ABC any more
Majorbowler 3 years ago
Chris Schenkel passed away in 2005. There was a very moving tribute to him in the Tulsa Championship broadcast of that year...
ilovesteelydan 3 years ago
Incredible, thank you!
doomer79 3 years ago
Chris Schenkel was definitely one of the best sportscasters of all time. The last episode of the Professional Bowlers Tour was sad since i was a fan of the show and would come home to watch it religiously each Saturday. It's great to see that clip again since it brings back memories of the final show.
howilu 3 years ago 2
Some of my earliest memories was watching the Pro Bowlers Tour on ABC with my grandmother. Everytime I hear Chris Schenkel's voice I think of her.
ntcw 3 years ago
Chris Schenkel was born in the village of Bippus, Indiana. When talking to Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show he said: "For as long as I can remember, Bippus has had 100 people. Every time a baby is born, somebody leaves town." Also, while announcing a college football game that included the Southern Methodist Mustangs, the game sponsor was Chevy Camaro. He called SMU anything but "mustangs". It was either: "wild horses or small ponies." It was funny..I assume he was ordered to do so.
iamanoldiesdj 3 years ago
is that a stevie wonder son at the end there??? if so, what is it??
Sawzaw44 4 years ago
yes, its stevie. the song is "A Place in the Sun"
BigBHammer278 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Im sorry but who is Chris Schenkel?
SkaterStick 4 years ago
your kidding, right?
parab121 3 years ago 2
Back when i was a young kid, i used to bowl in YBA leagues in the 70's on Saturdays mornings then i would come home and we all sit in front of the TV and watch ABC's Pro bowlers Tour. Also my dad took me to see the King Louie Open, for many years, now its all over, It will never be the same NEVER!
tim66214 4 years ago
When they took that off the air, I nearly cried. I was only 6, but I watched that show from birth.
dcbandnerd 4 years ago
I grew up with this. It was a sad day when ABC dropped this.
generalbullmoose 4 years ago 2
By the way...Chris Schenkel's last television work would be narrating feature stories for TNT's coverage of the 1998 Winter Olympics (CBS had the broadcast rights). He never appeared on-camera though.
johnnyaalaska 4 years ago
I cried at the end of PBT. Word had it ABC told these guys they were pulling the plug on the show 1 hour before they went on! Nice going ABC!
Watch the PBA rarely now. Randy Peterson is good + a nice guy, but they should pair him up with Nelson Burton or even some veteran like Jay Randolph. The ESPN announcers all are dull and sound the same.
Chris Schenkel's voice still resonates in my head after all these years.
Hard to believe PBT ended 10 years ago.
majaman1978 4 years ago 3
not to disagree..i don't bring other peoples comments down..but i do beleve that they knew it was the final telecast..in fact in 1996..they mentioned on air that the contract was extended for an extra year..
it's a shame that its off of ABC..such great memories..
hailmaizeandblue 4 years ago
*stands up and applauds*
Thank you Chris Schenkel for all your contributions to the PBA Tour. You may have left us physically, but legends never die. You will forever be remembered and loved by bowling fans young and old.
RIP :(
SSiG94 4 years ago 2
God bless Chris Schenkel. R.I.P.
tvtimetravel 4 years ago 2
chris is the "bar" and the "benchmark" we should all compare to in sports broadcasting, there will nevr be another like, just like alot of fans i lived for saturday afternoons to watch my favorite bowlers do battle. when Bo would make the telecast another "true man of class" would step in and sub for Bo, Dick Weber, those 2 WERE the classiest men in all of sports and will be for the ages.
rest in piece Chris an Dick
dbacks44 4 years ago 2
Chris and Bo defined bowling. Nothing will ever compare to how good these 2 were and how good ABC covered bowling back then.
Wolfman12395 4 years ago 3
it's kinda sad. it seems like we may never again see a broadcast partnership with such class.
shoofirbin 4 years ago 3
This hurst...
greenvette 4 years ago
Great to see that Bo will be returning to TV in the fall! I'll be very curious to hear how he sounds after all these years off the air.
odiedude 4 years ago
Wow....I started watching "Make That Spare" right after the Gillette Fight of the Week. The fight would last 45 min. and the bowling was 15 min. Then Pro Bowler's Tour started and I lived for Saturdays with Chris and Billy (Welu)...after Billy passed we were so lucky to have "Bo" Burton hook up with Chris and the rest was history. Consummate Professionals! As "Bo" Burton would say, "The SOLID-8....the ONLY true tap!!!!" Thanks for the memories on Saturdays, guys........good times!
5dave1 4 years ago
Saturdays were so special to me. In the fall and winter, I had college football and in the spring and summer there was bowling. Can't beat it!!! Schenkel is everything that Dave Ryan ISN'T
RedSport2 4 years ago
Their will never be a better announcing duo for bowling like Schenkel and Burton. They made watching PBA bowling on Saturday's enjoyable and fun. ESPN SUCKS!!!!
RockyNy13 4 years ago
espn doesn't have the magic and its at a bad time slot next to the nfl. it needs to go back on one of the big three abc nbc or cbs on saturdays. hell who wants to watch rodeo or volleyball on saturdays at 2 o clock?
pinboyjorf 4 years ago
Anybody else miss ABC's coverage of the Profession Bowlers Tour?
I don't know how to say this, but ESPN does not have the "magic" ABC had. I used to love looking forward to Saturday afternoon @ 2:00 pm. I am 43 so It was on since I can remember.
Perhaps is was Chris Schenkel & Nelson Burton Jr? The "quietness"? I dunno.
HemiDart 5 years ago
I agree 100%- Burton and Schenkel were like p-nut butter and jelly- a perfect team. Loved watching the PBA on Saturdays and this duo was a big reason.
"Chris, he MUST strike on this ball...."- classic!
jman1960 4 years ago
I wonder if ESPN would be interested in having Nelson Burton Jr. on for a special telecast or something.
BowlingNut 5 years ago
Chris Schenkel was simply the best.
clovis57 5 years ago
I'll buy that. He and Bo Burton, Jr. were like Pat Summerall and John Madden. Glad as a little kid I couldn't have waited to go home from being with my dad and watch the Pro Bowlers Tour on ABC.
NEPatriot 5 years ago
Bo and Chris were their own kind, but I do think Dave Ryan and Randy Pedersen are perfect for the new PBA era.
BowlingNut 5 years ago
Yes. I like Dave and Randy, but Chris and Bo were simply the best.
ddavenport 4 years ago 2
Without a doubt Bo and Chris were the best bowling announcers there was and ever will be.
Riob420 5 years ago
Agreed man. They were definitely the best.
moenemdown15 5 years ago
Thanks agin this posting....it was a shocking and sad day.
drumbo1951 5 years ago
R.I.P. Chris Schenkel. He was such a wonderful man. As one of the most recognized announcers in the world of sports, he could walk with the kings, but still be humble and appreciative of any accolades he earned. With never a bad word on anyone, it was no suprise that he was liked by so many. I never will forget that day. Thanks for posting this.
syntonik 5 years ago
I remember watching this. It was rough to see Schenkel break down.
top2pear 5 years ago
Tears came down my face while watching. Just like I was when I watched it the first time live on TV. I was only 10 at the time
Candlepinman 5 years ago 2
*tears*
DanH1985 5 years ago 2
Great stuff man. Many a saturday afternoon I watched ABC bowling with Bo and Chris. Schenkel was a class act. He is sorely missed.
WAKEDAFALLEN 5 years ago 2