CHARLES MILAN III
FOR COMPETITIVE ABILITY

Charles' biography as it appeared in The ICBA 24th Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremonies Program, October 16, 2005

Tonight the ICBA proudly welcomes Maine's All-Time Candlepin Icon, Charles Milan III, into its Hall of Fame.
One could legitimately argue that Charles's induction into the Hall of Fame is long overdue; however, Charlie would likely protest that it is premature! After all, at age sixty-eight, he just finished as Runner-Up in the 2005 Maine State Men's Championship!
Charlie has won the aforementioned title a phenomenal twenty-three times in his illustrious Candlepin career, setting several Maine State and World records along the way. His Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Team Titles abound; his television appearances span five decades and reflect many victories and several outstanding performances.
Charlie started his unabashed assault on Maine State Candlepin titles in 1951, winning the Junior State Championship at the age of fifteen and repeating again in 1952. In 1955 he won his first adult title and repeated the fete in 1956. After having spent some time away from the game in college and in the Army, Charlie returned to his winning ways and captured the 1959 Maine State Singles Crown. Charlie hasn't skipped a beat since that title; his outstanding ability has enabled him to compete with the game's best into the new millennium!
Charlie has received several accolades throughout the years for his many accomplishments. To name a few, in 1969, SPORT ILLUSTRATED named Charlie one of the fifty best athletes in the State of Maine; in 1982 Charles Henry Milan III became one of the youngest athletes, and first male bowler, to have ever been nominated and inducted into the Maine State Sports Hall of Fame! In 1990, the City of Brewer, Maine issued a certificate of commendation recognizing Charlie's twenty-second "State of Maine Championship" title.
Charlie's contributions to the Candlepin Industry are bountiful. He ran the Charlie Milan and the Bridget Milan Memorial tournaments for years at his Bangor-Brewer Lanes. For the past twenty years, he has run the American portion of the World Invitational Men's Team Championship tournament that he helped found. He has hosted and bowled on countless television shows throughout his career, even playing the Candlepin version of Ben Stein on one program where bowlers competed in roll-offs to earn the right to face Charlie "under the lights"!
Married to the former Marie Gosselin, Charlie is most proud of their four children, Dawn, Charles IV, John and James. Tonight we join Charlie's wonderful family in welcoming one the game's living legends into the ICBA Hall of Fame.