Mike Sarade
Committed
Those that were associated with Mike Sarade knew him as a man who was committed to helping people enjoy life to the fullest. He wanted people to smile as much as he did throughout his lifetime. Mike was elected to the Hall of Fame not only for his bowling ability but also for serving many, many others in the bowling community. Mike grew up in a poor family. So poor that he lived in a tent for four years during the great depression. That certainly made Mike appreciate the many good things that happened to him in his lifetime. One of the good things that happened was his wife, Anne, who he was committed to for more than forty-five years. That marriage brought much joy to Mike and produced three wonderful children; Shirley, Mary Ann and Michael. When Mary Ann became president of the Greater Muskegon Women's Bowling Association, it marked the first time a father and daughter had been president of their local associations. Mike was president of the Greater Muskegon Bowling Association during the 1957-58 season.
Mike's commitment to bowling was outstanding. At one time during his career, he bowled six nights a week. Talk about commitment! Mike was captain of the Lockage Men's Store team that bowled together for twenty-nine years. Members of that team included Bill Majeski, Tiny Kowalski, Greater Muskegon Bowling Association Hall of Famers Vern Plichta and Orrie Lauretti. Over the course of twenty-nine years the team won seventeen League Championships, five Michigan State Elks Championships, and in 1960 won the National Elks title. In 1979 at the age of 70, Mike was fortunate enough to win the Elks National Senior title. Mike's highest average in more than 50 years of bowling was 195, and his highest game was 288 with his highest series being 727.
Mike's biggest commitment and his most lasting contribution to the sport was running the Elk's Annual Handicapped Children's Bowling Tournament. Mike had a soft spot in his heart for handicapped and disabled kids, and it showed. Mike ran the tourney for seventeen years and it netted thousands upon thousands of dollars for handicapped children. Mike also spent every Saturday morning working with these kids during the bowling season. Now that's being committed. And as if Mike didn't have enough to do. He was also involved in many local sports, including the Muskegon Clippers Class A baseball team. He was general Manager of the Clippers, a farm team of the New York Yankees and was instrumental in bringing Mickey Mantle and his good friend Elston Howard to Muskegon in the 1950's.
Mike Sarade was totally committed and a fantastic contributor to the sport of bowling. He passed away in 1982 and he certainly is missed but not forgotten. He is indeed a welcome addition to the Greater Muskegon Bowling Hall of Fame.