Bowling has always been a family affair for Chad Brower.

His mother and father bowl. His sister bowls. His wife bowls. And his children can't wait until they can bowl, too.

However, Brower accomplished something no one in his family has done Nov. 28. In fact, he accomplished something no one in Warsaw has ever done.

On Nov. 28 at Gilliam Lanes, Brower bowled not one, but two - yes two - 300 games, back-to-back.

"I had a 299 one time in Goshen," said Brower, "but I've never had a 300."

And Brower had plenty of witnesses. The entire City North League was on hand to witness history in the making.

"I would just like to say thanks to the Tuesday night men for staying to watch both 300s," said Brower. "During the first one, everybody just kept playing like normal. The way I see it, they didn't want to make me nervous. Everybody was cheering me on during the second one.

"Granted I didn't look at any of them during the second one. It was a really neat feeling, I don't know how to explain it."

But despite the best efforts of the other members of the City North League, Brower was extremely nervous.

"I'll be the first to admit, I was very nervous," said Brower. "I had to squat down just to keep my knees from knocking together. Then I would stand there and look at my mark, and wait until I was relaxed. As soon as I was relaxed, I took my shot. I knew that was the time to go, because otherwise I would think about it too much."

Brower started bowling with his family when he was just six years old. Both of his parents bowled, and as soon as they were old enough, he and his sister did as well.

"My whole family bowled," said Brower. "But my sister and I really took off with it and became bowling fanatics. I went to regional tournaments when I was younger, but then I kind of hid out for a while and spent time with my family.

"My sister became a bowling pro in New Jersey about a year ago. When we were younger, we helped each other through things and made bowling fun for each other. We always competed against each other. We made $1 bets. I think she is sending me a dollar from New Jersey for this."

But Brower's sister is not the only one in the family with the bowling bug. He and his wife, Renda, bowl in a league together on Sunday nights, and his children, Alex 4, and Allissa 2, can't wait until they are old enough to start bowling themselves.

"I'm lucky that my wife is nice enough to give me the time to do the sport," said Brower. "If it wasn't for her, I probably wouldn't be here."

Although his wife is understanding about his passion for bowling, she was a bit skeptical when Brower told her of his accomplishment.

"When I did it, she was waiting outside in the car with the kids," said Brower. "And when I told her, she didn't believe me until my team captain came out and told her too."

Ironically, Brower, now 28 years old, used to work at the very place where he got his back-to-back 300s.

"I worked here about 12 years ago." said Brower. "I worked for Mike Gilliam. I bowled here and at Wawasee."

Perhaps the person most surprised by the feat is Brower himself.

"I usually average a 213 game," said Brower. "This is my highest total of three games so far. I think 750 was my highest before. But back-to-back 300s, I can't explain it."

According to Warsaw Bowling Association secretary Brian Landis, no one in Warsaw has ever bowled back-to-back 300 games.

"No one has ever bowled two 300s in a series, and never back-to-back," said Landis. "A lot of people have had 300 games, I've never heard of anybody doing it twice in one game. In the same week, but never in the same night."

Tuesday night at Gilliam Lanes, Landis and WBA First Vice-President Kenny Simpson presented Brower with a plaque engraved, "Warsaw Bowling Association Proudly Recognizes Chad Brower 'Back-To-Back' 300 11-28-00."

Brower also will receive a ring for his accomplishment. [[In-content Ad]]