CLEVELAND — The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tournament of Champions will happen in northeast Ohio this year. It’s one of five major PBA tournaments and the only PBA event that is by invitation only.

What You Need To Know

  • Chris Via said he is ready for one of the biggest moments of his bowling career

  • The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tournament of Champions will take place in northeast Ohio this year

  • The PBA’s presence in Ohio has been strong since the 1960s

Chris Via said he's ready for one of the biggest moments of his bowling career, as he wiped his bowling balls for practice. 

“There is oil out on the lane. So they can actually strategically place the oil and make it harder or easier for us,” he said.

Via shuffled through all his bowling balls and made sure he was ready for the PBA Tournament of Champions.

“We have a bunch of different bowling balls, and when you think about if from a golfer's term, there are basically the clubs in our bag and we have to figure out which ones are going to work best for us,” he said.

Via has been bowling ever since he was a kid. He grew up in the southwest Ohio city of Springfield. He said he’s proud to be back in Ohio for one of the biggest moments of his career.

“Just kind of growing up, I wanted to be a lot like my dad, and he was super into bowling," he said. "So I was there watching him all the time and, you know, just wanted to end up doing it myself. So from a young age, just started bowling and never stopped."

The PBA’s presence in Ohio has been strong since the 1960s. The Firestone Tournament of Champions was held in Akron at the time, and that history made this experience much more special for Via.  

“Just being able to be here, as a home town kind of favorite, it’s a really cool feeling," he said. "I know a lot of people from here from the area that can come out watch me and support me. It’s an awesome feeling."

Via said he’s hoping to leave the game the loves knowing he’s inspired others.

“Hopefully I can be remembered as one of the good bowlers and also a good person. I enjoy the sport," he said. "I enjoy giving back, and if I can give back and having a really good career, I’ll be pleased."