BUTLER TWP — When it comes to bowling, Mike Coyle came across a few triggers in life.

He met Bob Haben, a friend of his father's, at Hiland Golf Course as Coyle rode his bike there virtually every day as a youngster.

“I was maybe 10 or 11,” Coyle recalled. “I was introduced to bowling on the golf course. Bob wanted to get me into bowling, so he brought me over to the old B&W Lanes (former Bon Aire Bowl location) where he worked. That's how I got started.”Hal Phillips (then Butler County Bowling Association secretary), Jake Atwell and Jim Bowser talked him into coming to a BCBA board meeting in 1991.Coyle's been involved with the board ever since.Those triggers served him well.He's served the sport even better.Coyle, 68, has been selected for induction into the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association Hall of Fame for meritorious service. The Butler resident will be formally inducted in July of 2022 at the PSBA's annual convention in Harrisburg.This year's convention is being held virtually. Next year's will induct the HOF honorees from 2020-22.PSBA president in 2010, Coyle will be inducted four years after Bowser was inducted into the PSBA Hall.“Jimmy's my hero, simple as that,” Coyle said. “He was an inspiration for me. I wanted to do what he did.”Mission accomplished.Coyle has been involved in organized bowling for more than 40 years. His highest career single-season average is 204, his highest all-time series 789.He has bowled in 34 PSBA championship tournaments, 10 PSBA mixed tournaments, 10 PSBA senior tournaments and eight ABC/USBC tournaments.His teams have won two Butler County Bowling Association Championship Tournaments and he's won a pair of BCBA singles tourneys.“I've bowled three perfect games, all natural ones that occurred during no-tap events,” Coyle said. “So I didn't get any awards or anything for them.“But I know I bowled those games.”Inducted into the BCBA Hall of Fame in 2005, Coyle has contributed to bowling even more in administrative roles.“Mike is well-deserving of this (PSBA HOF induction),” Bowser said. “He's been a true leader in the state association. He's been a difference maker.“Technology-wise, he's led us into this modern age. He created the IT and Human Resources committees when he was PSBA president and those committees still exist today.”As a line officer, Coyle helped change the primary duties of area directors from contacting local assocations to visiting bowling centers and talking with bowlers.He headed the committee responsible for bringing the state bowling tournament to Butler in 2004 and 2012. He also helped the BCBA acquire the state tourney in 1994.“Mike knows how to get people involved,” Bowser said.The state tourney returns to Butler in 2022 — the same year Coyle is going into the PSBA Hall of Fame.“I never thought of that. That's a pretty neat thing,” Coyle said.Coyle was appointed as association photographer upon Larry Parenti's death in 2012. He continues in that role today.He served as Area Directror Training Chairman for three years. He has operated the computer and handled presenters at all Committee and Board meetings — as well as the PSBA Convention — since 2012.“When something needs done, Mike steps in,” Bowser said. “He's just a really good guy. He'll help fellow bowlers with equipment during league play.“He's an ambassador for the game.”Fellow local association member Skip Weyand nominated Coyle for the state Hall of Fame.“I know all of the people involved with bowling locally ... I've bowled with and against them, served on committees with them,” Coyle said. “But most of the people across the state who voted me into the Hall of Fame don't know me from Adam.“They've seen my work. They respect what I've done. That's why they voted for me.“And that's what I'm most proud of,” Coyle added.

Coyle