Each year, International Gay Bowling Organization recognizes members whose dedication, leadership, and generosity have made a lasting impact on our organization and our community. During the 2026 Annual Tournament in Denver, four remarkable individuals were honored for their extraordinary contributions through the Tom Hack Service Award and the Fellowship Award.
These honorees represent the very best of IGBO: volunteers who lead with heart, serve without hesitation, and continually strengthen the bonds of fellowship that define our organization.
2026 Tom Hack Service Award Recipients
Richard Villanueva
For more than a decade, Richard Villanueva has been one of the driving forces behind the scenes of IGBO. Since assuming leadership of the Membership Committee in 2012, Richard has become known not only for his tireless work ethic, but also for the warmth and enthusiasm he brings to every aspect of the organization.
As Membership Chair, Richard oversees the countless details involved in coordinating league awards and recognition items for members across IGBO. From ordering and organizing awards to packaging and shipping them across the country, his dedication ensures leagues and bowlers receive the recognition they deserve. Over the years, his role expanded far beyond membership responsibilities, with multiple committees eventually being consolidated under his leadership because of his reliability and organizational skills.
Richard has also become an important educator and mentor within IGBO, frequently assisting past Presidents with leadership and HR-related training presentations at General Membership Meetings. His ability to foster professionalism, teamwork, and collaboration has helped strengthen the organization at every level.
Perhaps most notably, Richard has become the welcoming face of IGBO’s Annual Tournament through his leadership of the New Bowler Mixers. His efforts help first-time participants feel included, supported, and immediately connected to the IGBO family. Through his kindness and commitment, Richard has helped countless new bowlers find a sense of belonging within the organization.
For his years of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to IGBO, Richard Villanueva was proudly named a 2026 Tom Hack Service Award recipient.
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Jeff Weinberg
Jeff Weinberg’s impact on IGBO spans decades of leadership, mentorship, and service to the bowling community. A longtime member of the Garden State Gay Bowling Organization, Jeff has dedicated more than 35 seasons to maintaining league statistical databases and preserving the history of LGBTQ+ bowling through meticulous recordkeeping and organizational leadership.
Jeff served 12 seasons as league Secretary and eight seasons as President, helping guide and strengthen the organization through years of growth and change. Even after relocating from New Jersey to Wilton Manors, Florida, Jeff immediately immersed himself in his new bowling community, continuing the same mission that has guided his involvement for decades: creating a fair, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for bowlers.
Throughout his years with IGBO, Jeff has served on numerous committees, including the Audit and Fellowship Committees, while also mentoring league secretaries and assisting organizations facing operational challenges. He has consistently emphasized the importance of integrity, fairness, and preserving the reputation of the sport and the organization.
Jeff’s volunteer spirit extends beyond administrative work. Whether serving as a House Manager at tournaments, supporting annual events, or helping members behind the scenes, he has become a familiar and trusted presence throughout the IGBO community. Previously honored with the IGBO Fellowship Award in 2015, Jeff continues to embody the values of service and community that define the organization.
In recognition of his decades of dedication and leadership, Jeff Weinberg was honored as a 2026 Tom Hack Service Award recipient.
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2026 Fellowship Award Recipients
Leonard Bain
The IGBO Fellowship Award is the organization’s highest honor, recognizing individuals whose sustained dedication and service embody the true spirit of fellowship. Few individuals exemplify those qualities more completely than Leonard Bain.
Leonard’s involvement with IGBO began in 1986 at the Cincinnati Mid-Year Tournament and quickly evolved into a lifelong commitment to the bowling community. Early in his volunteer journey, Leonard became heavily involved with Kansas City’s MAKIT Tournament, contributing in numerous behind-the-scenes roles including sponsorship coordination, tournament preparation, and program production.
In 1988, Leonard was elected Director of MAKIT, demonstrating the leadership abilities that would define his decades of service. His commitment remained steadfast even after his Army Reserve unit was activated during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, temporarily interrupting his bowling involvement while he served overseas in Saudi Arabia. Upon returning home in 1991, Leonard immediately sought ways to reconnect with IGBO and resumed leadership responsibilities within MAKIT shortly thereafter.
Leonard later helped lead Kansas City’s successful bid to host the 2006 IGBO Annual Tournament and served as Co-Director for the event. He has continued volunteering extensively through tournament operations, bracket management, fundraising activities, and IGBO Gives Back initiatives, including community service projects benefiting animal shelters and charitable organizations.
Beyond bowling, Leonard’s volunteerism extends deeply into his local community. He has worked with the Kansas City Sports Commission, assisted with charity runs and major sporting events, volunteered with Cornerstones of Care, supported military remembrance programs through Wreaths Across America, and continues to dedicate countless hours to civic and charitable causes.
Known as an “unsung hero,” Leonard consistently steps forward to help wherever needed, never seeking recognition for his efforts. His decades of service, humility, and commitment to helping others perfectly embody the spirit of fellowship that this award represents.
For a lifetime devoted to service, community, and IGBO, Leonard Bain was proudly recognized as a 2026 Fellowship Award recipient.
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Tim Locke
Tim Locke has long been recognized as one of the most passionate, energetic, and community-focused leaders within IGBO. Since relocating to Jacksonville in 2009, Tim has played a pivotal role in growing the local bowling community, helping merge two leagues into a stronger organization and establishing a tournament that continues to sell out year after year.
Tim served as Tournament Director from 2009 to 2013 and later returned as Co-Director in 2019, a position he continues to hold today. His leadership extends far beyond tournament operations. Tim has consistently challenged bowlers and community members alike to become involved in charitable causes and community outreach initiatives.
Under Tim’s leadership and encouragement, Jacksonville’s bowling community has supported numerous charitable projects, including coat drives, food drives, toy drives for children affected by HIV/AIDS, pet supply drives, and fundraising campaigns benefiting the Northeast AIDS Network. Through these efforts, nearly $20,000 has been raised for charitable causes.
Tim also founded Dylan’s Dream, a scholarship nonprofit created in memory of a coworker’s child who passed away from cystic fibrosis. The organization provides scholarship opportunities for students affected by the disease, further demonstrating Tim’s dedication to improving the lives of others.
Known affectionately by many as the “Mouth of the South,” Tim is recognized for his honesty, humor, and direct approach, but even more so for his generosity and compassion. Friends and fellow bowlers consistently describe him as someone who makes others feel welcomed, included, and valued. He is often the first to volunteer his time, energy, and resources whenever help is needed.
For his unwavering commitment to fellowship, leadership, and community service, Tim Locke was honored as a 2026 Fellowship Award recipient.
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The 2026 award recipients remind us that IGBO is much more than bowling. It is a community built on friendship, service, leadership, and the shared commitment to lifting one another up. Congratulations once again to Richard Villanueva, Jeff Weinberg, Leonard Bain, and Tim Locke for their extraordinary contributions to IGBO and the countless lives they have touched along the way.
