Thompson's own 'Italian Stallion' enters Canadian 5-pin bowling hall of fame - Action News
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Manitoba

Thompson's own 'Italian Stallion' enters Canadian 5-pin bowling hall of fame

Nick DiVirgilio of Thompson, MB, has been inducted into the Canadian 5-Pin Bowling Associations Hall of Fame, being honoured for his many accomplishments throughout his professional career.

'As a 17-year-old, you're just like, "How is this even humanly possible?"' former teammate says

A man holding a orange bowling ball which he prepares to throw down the lane.
Nick DiVirgilio has competed in bowling for over 20 years, winning numerous championships and becoming the top-ranked five-pin bowler in the country in 1990. (Ethan Butterfield/CBC)

A legend in the world of Canadian five-pin bowling is being inducted into the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers' Association Hall of Fame for his accomplishments and contributions to the sport.

"I was very excited to be recognized," Nick DiVirgiliosaid. "I put 40 years of my life into bowling five-pin."

DiVirgilio, who will be officially inducted on June 3, has been called a legend in the sport of five-pin bowling, with major achievements atnational and international championships. He was the top-ranked bowler in the country in 1990.

"That was one of the best memories," he said. "To achieve that, you gotta be the best in the game for [years]."

Another one of DiVirgilio's favourite memories was earning the bronze medal during an international tournament when he was 25.

"[It] was a surprise to me," he said. "I didn't think I would achieve that because, internationally, it wasnot one of my best bowls."

An old photo with a man bowling on it reads
Nick DiVirgilio bowling a perfect game in 1974 with a score of 450, the highest possible score in five-pin bowling. (Submitted by Ryan O'Callaghan)

DiVirgilio first started bowling when he was 24.

Hewas too old to compete with Youth Bowl Canadain the national tournaments at the time, sothe following year heplayed internationally instead and picked up his bronze.

"That year, that just kept me going," he said.

"Then there were a lot of tournaments, cash tournaments. I started to enter those tournaments, started winning, travelling across the country."

Ryan O'Callaghan, a buddy and bowling teammate of DiVirgilio, was thrilled to hear that his friend was being inducted.

"Well deserved," he said. "[I'm] just very happy that he's going to be recognized nationally for his achievements in the game over the years, which are quite a few."

A man in a black bowling shirt stands next to a man with a beige cap and red hoodie
Nick DiVirgilio, left, and Ryan O'Callaghan were bowling teammates and are still friends today. (Ethan Butterfield/CBC)

O'Callaghansaid he was "over the moon" when, as a young player, he got to bowl on DiVirgilio's teamat the old Thompson Lanes bowling alley on Churchill Drive.

"Just having the opportunity, in a setting like that, to bowl with one of the legends of our game," he said, "it's nice to have the opportunity."

One of O'Callaghan's best memories of DiVirgilio is from that time.

"I watched him throw 18 strikes and bowl over two games like it was nothing," he said.

"As a 17-year-old, you're just like, 'How is this even humanly possible?'"

Coming to Canada

DiVirgilio, nicknamed the Italian Stallion (after Rocky from the movie of the same name), moved from Italy to Torontoin 1962. He moved to Thompson in April 1964.

"After the war in Italy, there wasn't much there to live on," he said.

"My dad, my sister, emigrated to Toronto [in 1960].My dad applied to Inco Mine, their main office was in Toronto, and he was accepted to come to Thompson."

When DiVirgiliocame to Canada, he first went to Toronto to do an apprenticeship before he moved to Thompson to visit and work with his dad at the mine.

"I wanted to be on the apprenticeship and the electrical. He said, 'Well, sorry, but we have no apprentice. We have journeyman,'" DiVirgilio said.

"I said 'Well, I'll take anything.'"

DiVirgiliowenton to own different businesses in Thompsonand is now the owner/operator of the N C Crossroad Lanes bowling alley and lounge, which is celebrating its 24th anniversary this March.

For future bowlers

At 78, DiVirgilio doesn't compete much anymore, as his knee has kept him from the circuit, but he still bowls when he can and keeps his focus on giving back to the community.

A man in a black bowling shirt holds a picture that reads 'Nick, The Italian Stallion'
Nick DiVirgilio, owner of NC Crossroad Lanes in Thompson, is being inducted into the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers' Association Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in the sport. (Ethan Butterfield/CBC)

"I support that community 110 per cent," he said.

"[I] coach the kids, improve the sport to the kids, and I help them along the way."

For aspiring bowlers across the country, DiVirgilio has one important piece of advice.

"Make sure you're mentally fit," he said. "That's number 1, you've got to be mentally prepared.

"Keep your cool. Be mentally prepared. Throw the ball."

Thompson bowling champ to enter national hall of fame

2 years ago
Duration 3:08
Now 79, Nick DiVirgilio will be inducted in June to the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers' Association Hall of of Fame.

Corrections

  • A previous version of this story said that the old Thompson Lanes bowling alley was located in Thompson's North Centre Mall. In fact, it was located at 93 Churchill Drive.
    Mar 13, 2023 4:25 PM CT