12th Annual Mike Light Jr. CBA / MJBT Doubles

January 27, 2008 - Memory Lanes - Minneapolis, MN

This Years Champions...

Sara Ullman / Pam Harms

and

Jeff Adelsich / Daron Hanson

(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files)

For those that did not know Mike Light Jr - Here is a short profile borrowed from the Central Bowlers Alliance, written in 2001...

Mike Light Jr., CBA President, 1970 - 2001

On July 12th, the CBA, and Minnesota Bowling, lost one of its best friends. Mike "Switch" Light Jr., CBA President since 1998, died of cancer at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. He was just 31 years old.

Mike distinguished himself as both a competitor and leader in the CBA. As a young bowler, he quickly established himself as a player to be reckoned with. He won his first CBA title in August 1991 at Valley Creek Lanes at the age of 21 and was an all-star at 24 years old. He went on to win three CBA titles.

One time, Mike in fact won too much money. His first place check for $2200 at the 1996 Year End tournament is still a CBA record. The CBA restructured the Year End prize list after that because members thought that was too much money for one guy.

Mike was also a key member of the highly successful Linds Tournament Team.

Mike's positive attitude and willingness to contribute will have a lasting impact on bowling in Minnesota. As a board member and then President of the CBA, he was an inexhaustible source of ideas. He always put the best interest of the organization and the sport first. Mike was one of those invaluable people who followed through and got things done.

Perhaps his most significant legacy to the bowling community will be the CBA/MJBT Baker Doubles Tournament. For the past several years Mike was the driving force behind the tournament, convincing dozens of Minnesota's top adult bowlers to donate their time to compete with their junior counterparts. So far the tournament has resulted in CBA contributions of over $5000 to junior bowling scholarships. Look for the event to from now be named the Mike Light Jr. CBA/MJBT Doubles Tournament.

The CBA membership extends its condolences and best wishes to Mike's family. Many thanks to Mike's dad, Mike Sr.; who was ever patient with Mike's bowling friends and their frequent inquiries. Since Mike was diagnosed in January, Mike Sr. and his family were extremely gracious to the many bowling friends who came to see Mike during his last days.

Mike leaving us makes the CBA that much poorer, but his life among us has left the CBA, bowling and those who loved him much, much richer.

Switch, you were one of the good guys. Thanks for everything.