This is the first in a series of articles profiling the 2023 inductees into the USBC Butler Area Hall of Fame

CALLERY — Donna Evans was introduced to bowling for a simple reason.

There was nothing else to do.

She was 8 years old in 1956, her father stationed at Etain Air Force Base in France as a member of the military. The family lived on the base.

Donna Evans

“There wasn’t a whole lot for children to do there, so they developed some activities for the kids to try and bowling was one of them,” Evans said. “I tried it and I’ve been bowling ever since.”

Now 75, Evans is joining Mike Hilliard and Mike Rouda in being inducted into the USBC Butler Area Hall of Fame. The trio will be inducted at the HOF banquet, slated for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Callery Volunteer Fire Hall.

Evans said she has never gotten away from bowling, despite living in France, New Mexico, Texas and other states. She settled in Butler in 1983, taking a job with the Butler V.A., and moving here from Georgia.

She’s bowled in the Jewel, Jolly Girls and Classic Leagues in Butler.

“I just enjoy the game so much,” she said. “I’ll continue to bowl until I can no longer throw a ball.”

When Evans started bowling, “kids were at the end of the lanes setting up the pins.” Before automated scoring systems arrived to the sport, she always sat at the table and kept score on league nights.

“I really miss doing that,” she admitted. “When I was at that table keeping score, I was always more focused on my game.”

And her game has been pretty good.

Evans has a high career game of 290, high series in the 680s and a high average of 193. She has won numerous team, singles, doubles and all events championships locally. She’s also bowled in more than 13 state tournaments and six national tournaments.

“I never bowled a 300-game and that will always bug me,” Evans said. “I spared the first frame of that 290 game — leaving the 10-pin — then got 11 strikes in a row. I’ve rolled 12 strikes in a row over two games before, but that doesn’t count.

“I know I’m not going to bowl a perfect game now. That window has probably closed. But I’m past that.”

Evans has passed her love for the game down to others, serving as a youth bowling coach in Butler over a 10-year stretch. She’s served as president or secretary in her leagues over the years as well.

“I’ve never been a treasurer,” she said. “I never wanted to handle other people’s money.”

She is thrilled, however, to be entering the USBC Butler Area Hall of Fame.

“I was so excited when they called me, absolutely thrilled,” Evans said. “This whole thing seems so surreal to me.”