About Inductee

Ralph Kelly Sturgill was born on October 15, 1913 in KeoKee, Virginia. Ralph became a resident of Madison County in 1953. In the 1920's and 30's when Ralph was growing up, there were no organized sports like we have today. Ralph credits his high school coach, Coach Kagin, as having the greatest impact on the beginning of his athletic career. Coach Kagin began by coaching Ralph in basketball and track. When Ralph moved to Kentucky he began playing baseball and was introduced to the sport of bowling. It was the sport of bowling that was to become Ralph's passion. Ralph started his bowling career in 1940. During Ralph's second tour with the Army in Europe, the Army made him NCO in charge of athletics in Lentz, Austria and Frankfort, Germany. Besides supervising six bowling lanes there, he participated in U.S. Army tournaments in Europe. When Ralph moved to Huntsville it was only natural that he continued to follow his interest in bowling. With his wife's encouragement he became very involved with bowling. His tireless efforts helped to promote the sport of bowling to all ages throughout the area. He was Chairman of the March of Dimes Bowling Tournament (1961-63), Coach Instructor of junior bowling leagues, and a member of the Huntsville and State Bowling Associations. He held official positions in each.