Sometimes, the most meaningful calls aren’t the ones you expect… They’re the ones that validate a lifetime of quiet dedication, early mornings, late nights, and a love for a game that never wavered.
For Robert Butler, Jr., that call has arrived.
The Staten Island USBC is proud to announce Butler will be inducted into the Staten Island USBC Hall of Fame for Superior Performance, becoming the 52nd individual to receive the nod for the Association’s highest honor, and just the 13th inductee since the Staten Island USBC became officially established in 2006.
Election into the Hall of Fame represents more than numbers. It’s a recognition reserved for those who have not only excelled on the lanes, but who have helped shape the culture of bowling in the Staten Island community.
And Butler’s story is just that.
A lifelong bowler who has been involved in the sport since the age of six, Butler was introduced to bowling by his parents while they bowled at Bowling on the Green. What started as afternoons spent at the lanes quickly turned into a lifelong passion that would shape decades of accomplishment, friendships, and memories.
“For me, bowling was always more than a game,” Butler reflected. “When I started bowling as a kid, I fell in love with the sport. I was happiest when I was bowling in my afternoon league at Bowling on the Green.
“I never thought about being in a Hall of Fame. And now to be voted in by my fellow bowlers who have bowled with me and against me, it’s a great honor that the voters think that highly of my bowling ability.”
Over the years, Butler didn’t just participate in the game, he excelled at it.
For the last 23 consecutive seasons, he has maintained an average above 200, highlighted by a 228 league average during the 2012–2013 season. His resume reads like a highlight reel: 16 perfect games, a high series of 827, with continued participation today across three leagues.
But beyond the numbers, it’s his consistency, competitiveness, and love for the sport that define him.
Butler is a four-time Staten Island USBC titleholder, including capturing the prestigious SIUSBC Masters Championship in 2023, an event where he has reached the tournament finals six times. His successes also include SIUSBC Men’s Championship Doubles titles in 2007 and 2024, and an Open Doubles Championship in 2018. earned alongside his wife, Hillary, making it a true family milestone.
Butler has remained a constant presence in Staten Island’s tournament scene, with multiple finals appearances in the Staten Island Singles Classic and New Year Singles Classic, including the latest runner-up finish in the 2024 New Year Singles Classic.
Butler’s influence extends well beyond the score sheet. He dedicates his time as a league officer for two leagues, serving as both Secretary and Statistician. In those roles, he does far more than take a deep dive into the numbers, he runs the leagues from start to finish, organizes side pots, and keeps bowlers engaged through social media, often highlighting achievements and recognizing fellow bowlers.
“This honor is so much more than achievements, it’s about legacy,” Daniel Moffit, Staten Island USBC President, said. “Robert represents what this Hall of Fame stands for. His sustained excellence, competitive spirit, and respect for the game have made a lasting impact on bowling here on Staten Island. We are proud to recognize him among the very best.”
The Staten Island USBC Hall of Fame, established in 2006, continues the tradition of honoring greatness previously recognized by its predecessor organizations, the Staten Island Women’s Bowling Association and the New York Bowling Association.
Butler will officially be inducted as part of the 20th Annual Staten Island USBC Champions & Hall of Fame Awards Dinner, to be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at LiGreci’s Staaten.
The evening will celebrate and honor tournament champions from the past season and feature several special award presentations, including the Contributions to Bowling Award, League Officer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and recognition of the 2024–25 Season High Average Award recipients.
For Butler, this moment is not just about a career, it’s about a journey on the lanes. One built frame by frame, season by season, alongside teammates, competitors, and family. And now, his name will forever be enshrined among Staten Island’s finest.
For more information on Staten Island USBC and its Hall of Fame, visit siusbc.org.