Lou Hrivnak has spent his life balancing a business career and his love for 5 pin bowling. A native of Czechoslovakia, Lou originally settled in Guelph and, in his first game of bowling ever, Lou rolled 262. However, Lou’s bowling career was short circuited by the second World War and, while he wanted the air force, Lou ended up in the navy, serving his chosen country from 1943-46.

Following the war, Lou returned to Guelph and, before settling in Toronto in the sheet metal business, Lou also tried the grocery and hardware business in Vancouver. As such, in 1949, he began the very successful Steel Art Signs, which was originally established on Eastern Avenue before settling at Warden Avenue and Highway 401 in 1955.

While the business expanded, Lou was introduced to bowling and this activity would become his stress release from the businessworld. Five pin bowling came naturally to Lou and, while joining his first league at Acorn Central, which was located on Sheppard St. in downtown Toronto, his base of operation was Spadina Bowl and Danforth Broadview.

Sweeps or "pot" games were everywhere and there was a weekend schedule that would bring the hardiest soul to his knees. The action began on Friday night with a 7:00 p.m. league at Danforth Broadview. From here, the group would move to Queen City Bowl at Logan and Queen Sts. And bowl sweeps all night. Following breakfast, some of the more athletic individuals would play handball in one of the many nearby schoolyards. At 2:00 p.m., of course, the City Major League started and, following the focal point of the weekend, a more complicated skill game called "26 count" began at Spadina Bowl and lasted until midnight. Finally, the group called a halt but continued the action on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Spadina or Bayview Bowl. In all of this, Lou was an active participant and a consistent winner.

By 1955, Lou had joined the Toronto City Major League and, not only won the annual singles competition, but also won the high average title in 1956 with a 292 season mark. In all, Lou bowled five perfect games, two at Spadina and three at Danforth Broadview. As well, he added a 1059 triple and his major league team on Saturday, Gage Printing, established a three game record of 4589. Lou bowled on two other major league teams, namely Pete’s Grill and Tuxedo Junction and his teammates included, among others, Hall of Famers Rusty Starr, Bert Garside, Bill Hoult, and another of tonight’s honorees, Primo Falcioni. On several occasions, the Tuxedo Junction team would arrive at the lanes in full top hat and tails.

At this time, 5 pin bowling was entering the television era and, in 1956, Lou bowled in the very first televised match against Hamilton’s Joe Baird. In addition, Lou qualified to bowl at the Sportsman Show and his opponent was none other than Rusty Starr.

Eventually, the pressures of the business world caught up to Lou as Steel Art Signs grew into a multi-million dollar operation. The company was eventually sold in 1972 but a new company, New Art Signs, was started with Lou’s son Tom at the helm. Lou married his wife, Viola, in 1947 and as well as a son, Tom, have two other children, Leo and Susan. In all, nine grandchildren have joined the family and today Lou enjoys skiing and boating and some ongoing business interests.