Hillsboro’s Shane Ison elected an inaugural member of the Ohio High School Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame

HILLSBORO — Hillsboro’s Shane Ison has been elected to the inaugural class of the Ohio High School Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame. 

The first class — for 2026 — saw Ison, the current Hillsboro boys bowling coach, be selected with a group of 10 other coaches from around the state for their years of success coaching student-athletes, as Ison’s teams have been state qualifiers for a number of seasons. 

The ceremony, which takes place Aug. 30 at the Worthington Hills Country Club, will put Ison in the history books as being a member of the first class of the Coaches Hall of Fame, along with Joseph Altimore (Perry Massillon); Bob Bobbitt (Beavercreek); Greg Coulles (Centerville, Kettering Fairmont, OHSBCA); Tom Hart (North Olmsted); Rick Hartings (Coldwater, OHSBCA); Linus Hartings (BCAO); Jane Kline (Bellefontaine); Andy Parker (Miamisburg, Centerville); Frank Ruggerie (BCAO); and ​Kurt Scott (Urbana).

Getting there, however, has been a 13-year journey for Ison, as he helped build the Hillsboro Indians’ bowling program – which began in 2013 – from the ground up. 

From being at HHS from the start of the varsity program, to the Hall of Fame, Ison has been a part of the success for the boys bowling program, as the teams have won conference and  district championships and placed at the state level. 

The usually vocal Ison said he was “at a loss for words” when he received the news he was a member of the inaugural class. 

“I was in shock. I couldn't believe that I was elected to the Hall of Fame. I was speechless, which doesn't happen very often,” he said.

Although he started coaching at Hillsboro 13 years ago, Ison’s participation in the sport began long before that, growing up in the sport with his parents beginning their courtship on a bowling date in Hillsboro. Ison also said his brother, Sean, bowled in the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association). Even today, Ison is the general manager at Highland Lanes, and his children have been, or are currently, standout bowlers at Hillsboro High School. 

“My family was all bowlers on both sides of my family. My mother, Connie Ison, and father Dale Ison actually had their first date at the bowling center here in Hillsboro at the old Highlander bowling center out by the Dairy Queen,” he said. “My brother, Sean Ison, was a huge inspiration in me becoming the bowler I am today. I used to go watch him bowl on the PBA tour, where I got to meet a lot of really good bowlers and was helped along the way. I really appreciated all that they did for me, so I wanted to pay it forward and get into coaching.”

Speaking of family and bowling, Ison has had the rare opportunity to coach his children Zach and Rylie while at Hillsboro. During his tenure, Zach finished in the state Top 25 in Division I and II. Rylie this past season as a sophomore was state runner-up in Division I, and this summer she placed 16th at nationals. 

Besides their success on the lanes, Ison is just as proud of his children away from the sport and with their success in the classroom. 

“Anytime you coach your own kids, it is a very hard thing to do. When you are at the bowling center you are their coach, and the moment you walk out you are their dad,” Ison said. “This is something we have all learned to do well. Of course, everything doesn’t go as planned, and you have to be stern. 

“On the dad's side, you want to shelter them from the bad, but I feel we have got a good system in place to handle those situations. I have two of the best kids, and I couldn’t be more proud of what they have accomplished through this journey so far. As their coach, their work ethic and passion for the game is unmeasurable. One of the other things I’m proud of is they both work equally as much in the classroom. Zach is a senior at Shawnee State and is about to graduate with his engineering degree, and Rylie will be a junior at Hillsboro High School with over a 4.0 GPA.”

In the history of the Indians’ boys bowling program, HHS has been state qualifiers 10 times (’15, ’16, ’17 state runners-up, ’19, ’20, ’21, ’22, ’23, ’25, ’26), including this past season where the Indians placed ninth place overall in Division I. 

Being a coach is not about wins and losses for Ison, though having success is important, as he said being involved in the improvement of his players means the most to him.

“It has been the most enjoyable thing that I have ever done in my life, career-wise,” Ison said. “As a player I have met so many good people along the way. We have a saying, ‘Once in the bowling family you're in the bowling family for life,’ and it’s true. As for coaching, watching the kids grow in the sport that I love and knowing that I contributed in some way is a very special thing for me.

“We want our student-athletes to be great on and off the lanes. We have had some pretty awesome kids come through our program over the years. I can honestly say we have never had a bad kid. They may not all have set any records on the lanes, but they learned to be good teammates and positive adults in society. When it comes to the success of the teams, we are always willing to work on things, and you have to have kids put the time and effort in. 

“I have a saying, ‘I can teach you anything you want about the game of bowling, but there is one thing I can’t teach, and that’s heart,’” Ison continued. “I believe our kids buy into that when they are having a bad day and try to have the heart to be a good teammate, good person, and make a difference in a positive way.”

Also with being a coach, Ison said the most important aspect he wants his players to achieve is learning important life skills. 

“I hope our bowlers learn some really important life skills for sure, like having a schedule, learning to be a better person on and off the lanes, and always having reachable goals,” Ison said. “Without goals, what are we doing it for? Working for something and achieving your goal is rewarding. Of course they will always have all the memories we make over the time as an HHS bowler.”

With Ison being elected to the Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame, it means a lot to the longtime Hillsboro head coach for the fact the dedication he’s showing to his team, bowlers and the sport itself has been seen by his peers. 

“Being inducted to the Hall Of Fame is almost unbelievable. I’m so grateful for the people that notice the hard work and dedication that I have for the program. Over the past few days, with all the messages and congratulations I received, I didn’t really realize that so many people thought I deserved this honor, which has been special in itself,” Ison said. “Of course being an athlete myself, you always think of the end goal and that’s being inducted to the Hall of Fame, but only a few ever get there. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to represent the school and the kids that have made it possible for me to get this award.”

The journey has been full circle for Ison as Hillsboro’s head coach with the HOF selection, but he didn’t get there alone, and Ison had many thanks to give. 

“I would like to first thank the love of my life, my wife Kimberly Ison. She allows me to do what I do with all the long talks, long days and nights preparing for the upcoming events. She has always supported me and is my rock,” he said. “My kids, Zachary and Rylie. I missed some of their events before they were in high school to allow me to be a coach, and they never complained. 

“Jim Winner (Chief). If it wasn’t for Jim Winner, we would not have high school bowling in Highland County. Chief was the SCOL (South Central Ohio League) Commissioner and got the ball rolling and guided me through the first couple of years where it really exploded in our local area. Without him, I would have never had the opportunity to be a coach at Hillsboro High School. 

“To all the high school bowlers, your hard work and dedication made this all possible,” Ison continued. “They all just earned another trophy for the trophy case and one that will be cherished by me forever. To Hillsboro City Schools, thank you for believing in me and allowing me to coach some pretty amazing kids.”

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 28 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.