CRANBERRY TWP — If Mike Coyle didn't feel like a president before, he does know.

The Butler resident and former Butler County Bowling Association president was honored at a testimonial dinner Saturday night at the Pittsburgh Marriott North.

Coyle began serving his term as the 72nd president of the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association at the annual convention in July.

He received numerous gifts Saturday, including a clock, a plaque and an engraved serving tray, from various bowling associations throughout the state.

"I feel speechless right now," Coyle said. "No words can fit what I'm feeling."

Coyle is a 1971 Butler graduate and has been a manufacturing supervisor for Magnetics for the past 32 years.

He began bowling 45 years ago, learning the game from golfing buddy Bob Haven, who was part owner of B&W Lanes in Butler.

"Bob invited me to stop by the lanes and he would teach me to bowl," Coyle said. "B&W Lanes were in Bon-Aire Plaza, which also had the grocery store my family shopped at.

"I begged my mother to let me go in (B&W Lanes) one day while we were grocery shopping and she let me. When I walked through those doors, they opened up a whole new world for me," he added.

Coyle joined his first league in the 1970s and won his first singles tournament in 1984. He accepted appointment to an open position on the BCBA board in 1991 at the urging of Jim Bowser, Jake Atwell and the late Hal Phillips.

Coyle served as president of the BCBA from 1996-2005. Butler hosted the men's state bowling tournament in 2004 and will do so again in 2012.

He was elected to the BCBA Hall of Fame for meritorious service in 2005. Coyle was elected fourth vice president of the PSBA in 2006 and climbed the ladder to his presidential term this year.

"No way can one person do this alone," Coyle said. "I've worked with tremendous people and great friends on the Butler board. They've pushed me, prodded me and supported me."

Bowser was PSBA president in 2003-04 and Mike Shenesky of Zelienople held the office in 1984-85. Bowser now serves as association manager for the BCBA.

"Mike and I have been close friends for 35 years now," Bowser said. "We've been through a lot together. He deserves this."

Coyle said Bowser has "had my back and been by my side through thick and thin."

Atwell has been Coyle's longtime doubles partner in tournaments. Jim Hepler is first vice president of the BCBA and served as master of ceremonies Saturday night.

"Mike did a tremendous job as our (county) president and he'll do the same for the state," Hepler said. "He's still on our local board, too, so we'll continue to pick his brain."

Coyle lauded his wife, Val, whom he married in 2004 and bowls with in a mixed league.

Val Coyle is an officer with the Butler County Women's Bowling Association.

"When you look for a friend, you look for somebody who shares the same interests as you," Coyle said. "When you look for a partner, you look for someone who shares the same passion as you.

"When I married Val, she was not a bowler, Once I convinced her to join a mixed league with me, she was hooked. She shares my passion for bowling and organizing."

The PSBA promotes, organizes and conducts annual bowling tournaments throughout the state. It operates its own Hall of Fame and supports the Pennsylvania USBC youth bowling program as well.

There are 93,000 sanctioned bowlers in Pennsylvania this year.