Basil "Buzz" Fazio (February 7, 1908 – February 15, 1993) nicknamed the "Buzzer" was a pioneer and early American bowling star during the mid-20th century.
Known equally for his fierce competitiveness and audience pleasing theatrics, Fazio’s professional career spanned from the early 1940s to the late 1960s.
The six-time ABC (American Bowling Congress) and two-time PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) champion began his career during bowling’s golden era of "Team" play.
Born in Aultman, Ohio, near Akron, Fazio was brought to Detroit in 1947 to join the fabled Stroh’s Beer Bowling Team. The diminutive Fazio, who stood but 5’ 3" and weighed near 140, captained Stroh’s for nine seasons and continued the team’s tradition for success started by his predecessor and fellow Hall-of-Famer Joe Norris.
During the 1950s, the Fazio led Stroh’s Beer squad, featuring Lee Jouglard, Tom Hennessy, Pete Carter, Tony Lindeman, and Ed Lubanski, captured numerous tournaments including the ABC Team Championships in 1952, 1953 and 1954.[1]
In 1955, at age 47, Fazio won the ABC Masters Singles Championship; a feat he nearly duplicated 13 years later in 1968, when at age 60, he was runner-up to Pete Tountas. Fazio also teamed up with Stroh’s teammate Tony Lindeman to win the ABC Doubles Championship three times. (1951, 1952 & 1954)
During the 1950s, before the formation of the PBA, Fazio and his contemporaries competed on TV shows like Make that Spare, Bowling for Dollars and All-Star Bowling, the latter of which was hosted by Detroit legend Fred Wolf. Among the many bowling highlights in his career, Fazio was the first to roll an 800 series on live TV. (802)[2] He also won seven consecutive televised matches in Chicago in 1955.[1]
In 1957, Fazio left the Stroh’s team and moved to St. Louis to form the Falstaff Beer Team.
During the 1958 ABC Tournament held in Syracuse, NY, Fazio attended a meeting at the Hotel Syracuse. Sixty men including Don Carter, Frank Esposito, Dick Weber, Carmen Salvino, Billy Welu, Steve Nagy, Harry Smith, Ray Bluth, Dick Hoover, and Junie McMahon attended. They were there to listen to an Akron attorney named Eddie Elias speak about starting a Professional Bowlers Association. After listening to his proposal, thirty-three of the men, including the “Buzzer” each contributed $1,650 to start the organization and the PBA was then formed.[3]
Fazio captured a pair of PBA titles in the 1960s. His win in Sacramento, California in 1965, at the age of 56, made him at the time the oldest man to capture a PBA Tour championship. That record stood until 1994, when PBA star John Handegard eclipsed the mark by winning the PBA Northwest Classic at age 57 years, 139 days.[2]
Fazio's bowling accomplishments earned him enshrinement in both the ABC and PBA Halls-of-Fame.
After retiring from competition, Fazio continued to represent the Brunswick Corporation as he had for many years as a player. He hosted the PBA Buzz Fazio Open in Battle Creek, MI and in 1973, served as PBA President.
Though slowed by injuries related to an auto accident and subsequent surgeries, Fazio remained involved in the bowling community during retirement. He often participated in local bowling leagues and served as coach and instructor throughout the 1980s and up until his death at age 85 in 1993.