The Staten Island USBC Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was officially inducted on Friday evening, May 23rd, during the annual Championship & Hall of Fame Awards Dinner at LiGreci’s Staaten. This year, two longtime contributors to the Staten Island bowling community, Joanne Soto and Anne Marie Rubilotta, received the organization’s highest honor.
Joanne Soto was inducted for Meritorious Service, recognizing more than two decades of work on behalf of Staten Island’s league bowlers. A bowler since childhood, Joanne returned to the sport in her twenties and never looked back. She’s served as the league secretary of the Friday Night Mixed Quartets at Rab’s Country Lanes for 22 years and held the role of Association Manager twice; first from 2007 to 2015 and again since 2022.
In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the local association, Joanne has volunteered her time on several committees, including Hall of Fame, Tournaments, Lane Inspection, and more. Joanne’s commitment to ensuring our bowlers are recognized and that events run smoothly has had a major impact behind the scenes.
Anne Marie Rubilotta was inducted for Superior Performance, a recognition of over 20 years of competitive consistency and achievements on the lanes. She’s averaged over 200 in league play for two decades and has four perfect 300 games to her credit. Her high series is 798, and she’s come close with two 299 games as well.
In 2017, Anne Marie posted the highest women’s average in the SIUSBC at 217. Most notably, she made Staten Island history as the first woman to bowl a perfect game in the 63-year history of the Staten Island USBC Women’s Championship Tournament. A former board member and multiple Staten Island USBC Women’s Championship Tournament title holder, Anne Marie’s achievements speak for themselves.
“Joanne and Anne Marie represent the very best of Staten Island bowling,” said Jim Episcopia, President of the Staten Island USBC. “Joanne’s work behind the scenes has kept our association moving forward, and Anne Marie’s success on the lanes speaks for itself. It’s a well-deserved honor for both of them, and we’re proud to celebrate their accomplishments.”
The evening also included recognition of tournament champions from the past season and several special award presentations:
- Service to Bowling Award: Jim Labetti, Jr.
- League Officers of the Year: Trish Kelly, Joanne Quinn, and Anne Piazza
- 2023–24 Season High Average Awards: Kelly Dorsey (226) and Sean McAuliffe (241)
The Staten Island USBC Hall of Fame was formed in 2006. All members inducted in 2005 and earlier were inducted by the predecessor organizations of the Staten Island USBC, the Staten Island Women’s Bowling Association and the New York Bowling Association. The Hall of Fame is governed by the Staten Island USBC Hall of Fame Committee and consists of two categories, Meritorious Service and Superior Performance.
Click here to learn more about the 2025 Championship Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner.