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For 39 years, bowling was
part of Mark Jackson’s life and for 27 of those years Mark
bowled at the highest competitive level afforded in his
sport. For Mark to remain successful in bowling for that
length of time it has required him to practice, have a high
level of fitness, tremendous drive, focus and dedication, as
well as TIME! It has meant traveling, sometimes great
distances, two or three times per week during the bowling
season to bowl in a competitive level league. It has also
involved entering up to twenty tournaments per year. Some
of these tournaments require participants to bowl over
thirty games per day, a real test of your physical fitness
and concentration. Many bowling tournaments are on holiday
week-ends like Thanksgiving and Mother’s day so it has also
meant sacrificing family time.
 Mark started out as a
youngster and his interest, ability and competitive drive
propelled him to his impressive record of successes
including qualifying to represent Alberta at 21 different
National Championships, winning four Canadian Championships,
being named National Tournament All Star three times,
winning the TSN Pins Game and garnering the top prize nine
times at money tournaments across western Canada.
In his long career, Mark has
travelled across Canada, made life –long friends in the
bowling community and gained self gratification. Being the
intense competitor that he is, Mark admits he has missed
the competition and the camaraderie since retiring from the
sport he loves....but, like most athletes, his body gave out
before his desire. Mark feels that if he no longer had to
endure the physical efforts required in his day job, he
would probably still be bowling....so, once he retires, you
never know, bowling might again be part of his life!
It is really
special for me to be introducing Mark tonight as he and I
started out together in the Wetaskiwin Youth Bowling Council
league when we were in junior high and l, like all of your
Wetaskiwin friends and the kids you grew up with, are so
proud of your achievements.
Mark, you have
been recognized for your accomplishments by the receiving
the City of Edmonton Salute to Excellence Award twice and by
being named one of the Century of Excellence Top 100 Male
Bowlers by the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association. Tonight
you are being honored by your home community for the passion
you have for your sport, your ability to remain competitive
for so many years and your innumerable successes. It is
with pleasure that we induct you into the Wetaskiwin and
County Sports Hall of Fame.
Return to Mark Jackson inductee page
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