Matt McNiel

I started my bowling at a young age back in 1987 when I was 2 years old. My parents had gotten me a Fisher Price bowling set and it became my favorite toy. I always looked forward to trips to the local bowling alley growing up. Chanhassen Bowl in Chanhassen, MN was a bowlers bowling center and I was lucky to spend a large amount of my youth growing up there. I was mentored by a MN State HOF’er named Rick Sipprell. Rick would let me do odd jobs around the bowl in exchange for free bowling, pop (as we refer to it in the midwest) and a few bucks to spend in the arcade playing pinball. Growing up in that place kept me off the streets and out of trouble, it gave me a focus and drive, something to put my energy towards. I certainly would not be where I am today had I not had that experience in my life

Bowling is easy to learn but takes a lifetime to master. The simplicity of knocking over 10 pins with a round object but then the never ending complexity of variables that affect how that simple task is performed. It is a sport that everyone can compete in, the lanes don’t care if you’re 5’1 or 6’7, in shape or not, one hand or two, thumb or no thumb, 18 or 81, the pins know no difference. Plus, the people that bowl, are some of the greatest out there. The best moments in bowling often come off the lanes with the people you bowl with.

Winning the 2015 USBC ITC with the Wichita State Shockers

Mike Aulby and Norm Duke. They were so mentally strong and so patient, they had all the shots and were true artists on the lanes.

2010 USBC Open Championships All Events Champ
2012 USBC Open Championships All Events and Doubles Champ
2015 USBC Open Championships All Events Champ
2015 USBC ITC Champion
2015 Petersen Classic Champion
2022 USBC Open Championships Team Champion

100 USBC Sanctioned 300 games
81 USBC Sanctioned 800 series
879 high series
2468 2nd highest all events score in USBC History
2326 Highest all events score in USBC Open Championships History
Most 800’s at the USBC Open Championships (2010,2011,2012)

Member of MJBT (Minnesota Junior Bowlers Tour) HOF
Member of MN USBC State HOF