For years, the 2007 Flowers for the Living honoree has had one of the most unenviable jobs in sports. On June 26, during the 2007 International Bowl Expo, the tables were turned in Las Vegas when all the kudos he earned for doing that job so well and under the most trying conditions netted Len Nicholson (on the right) the ‘Flowers’ award. It is an honor presented to someone in bowling who is admired, respected and, indeed, loved.

This year’s award was presented by Hall of Fame legend Billy Hardwick, and Bowlers Journal Editor Jim Dressel (left), former chairman of the committee.

Turnabout, as they say, is fair play. In Nicholson's case, we might add, it was overdue. Nicholson was part of the PBA's original lane maintenance team, along with Sam Baca. In that role - either with Baca, or individually - he has been involved in analyzing, cleaning and conditioning bowling lanes in more bowling centers, in more cities, in more states, and in more countries than anyone in the history of bowling. The numbers are staggering. He has been involved in doing the lanes for the PBA for over 800 tournaments, which included the National Tour, the Senior Tour and all of the PBA's seven regions.

He has the distinct honor of being the only person to have been in charge of conditioning lanes for every PBA member who is currently in the PBA Hall of Fame. This man traveled the PBA Tour for over 25 years and has worn many ‘hats’ in this sport that he loves. As a result, his insights into bowling are unique and often sought after from his peers.

These days, as host of a 24/7 internet-based bowling webcast, many know Nicholson as ‘The Phantom.’ He has turned ‘Phantom Radio’ into a ‘must hear’ webcast since originating the show in April of 2001. His webcast has attracted a litany of guests and celebrities all across the bowling spectrum in the over 270 shows he's done since.

As bowling Hall of Famer and longtime friend Billy Hardwick describes him, "Lenny was totally crazy but, everybody loves the guy. You can’t help but like him. He’s a man’s man."

The Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award was created in 1961 by the late Cleveland Kegler Publisher Sam Levine, and is based on a poem by former Ohio Associated Press editor Fritz Howell.

In the poem, Howell suggested that deserving individuals be honored while they were "still alive to smell the flowers." The award is intended as a surprise to the recipient. Honorees are determined by a special committee of prominant bowling writers.

 

Sam Levine FLOWERS FOR THE LIVING Award

1961 Fritz Howell
Feb ‘62 Joe Smolen
Oct ‘62 Sam Weinstein
Sept ‘63 John O Martino
Feb ‘64 Joe Norris
Oct ‘64 Marion Ladewig
Sept ‘65 Billy Sixty
Jan ‘67 Tom Bolger
Oct ‘67 Steve Cruchon
Dec ‘68 Bruce Pluckhahn
Nov ‘69 Frank Sczepanski
Apr ‘71 Frank Baker
Nov ‘71 Hank Morino
June ‘72 Sam Levine
Jan ‘73 Bill Hengen
Nov ‘73 Alberta Crowe
Nov ‘74 Mort Luby Jr.
Nov ‘75 Fred Wolf
Nov ‘76 Chuck Pezzano
Nov ‘77 Eddie Elias
Nov ‘78 Emma Phaler, Lee Evans*
Nov ‘79 Dick Weber
Nov ‘80 Bill Doehrman
Nov ‘81 Byron Schoeman
1982-84 The award in hiatus because of death of originator Sam Levine
Mar ‘85 John Jowdy
Feb ‘86 Don Carter
May ‘87 Joe Lyou
Apr ‘88 Helen Baker
Apr ‘89 Pat McDonough
May ‘90 Helen Duval
Nov ‘91 Jim Bennett
Dec ‘92 Earl Anthony
Feb ‘94 Millie Ignizio
Mar ‘95 Augie Karcher
Mar ‘96 Bob Zellner
Mar ‘97 Angelo Biondo
Nov ‘98 Jack Reichert
June ‘99 Chris Schenkel
Mar ‘00 Wayne Todd
June ‘01 Tom Kouros
Mar ’02 Glenn Allison
June ‘03 Dick Stoeffler
July ‘04 Jeanette Robinson
Mar ‘05 Pearl Keller
June ‘06 Walt Steinsiek
June ‘07 Lenny Nicholson
*(passed away before presentation)

Flowers for the Living by Fritz Howell

It seems that when a fellow dies, no matter what he’s been,
A saintly chap or one whose life was darkly steeped in sin -
That folks forget the bitter words they spoke but yesterday
And seem to find a multitude of pretty things to say.<
And maybe when I go to rest, someone will bring to light
Some kindly word or goodly act, long buried out of sight,
But if it’s all the same to you, just give to me instead,
The bouquets while I’m living, and the knocking when I’m dead.

Don’t save your kisses to imprint upon my noble brow,
While countless maledictions are hurled upon me now.
Just say a kindly word to me, as I mourn here alone,
And don’t save all your eulogy to carve upon a stone.

What do I care if, when I’m gone, the whole newspaper world
Gives me a glowing writeup and the nation’s flags are furled?
Why, it won’t flatter me a bit, no matter what is said,
So kindly throw your flowers now, and knock me when I’m dead.

It may be fine, when one is gone, to have folks talk so,
And have the flowers come in loads from all the guys you know.
It must be nice to have these things for those you leave behind
But, so far as I’m concerned, I really will not mind.

I’m quite alive and well today, and while I linger here,
Give me a helping hand at times, give me a word of cheer.
Let’s change the game a bit, just sorta swab the decks,
For I will be no judge of flowers, when I cash in my checks.