Amherst, N.Y. - Daemen College Director of Athletics Bridget Niland announced today the hiring of David Zajac as the Interim Head Women's Bowling Coach. Zajac steps in for Jennifer Kinyon who stepped down for personal reasons last month, after guiding the Daemen program through its first season of existence in 2015-16.
Zajac brings a wealth of experience to the position, both as a coach and through his own playing career. His playing experience includes a stellar scholastic career at Niagara Falls High School, and later serving as captain of teams at both Erie Community College and Saginaw Valley State University. At ECC, Zajac was a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American. He helped the Kats capture the 2011 NJCAA national championship after averaging a national-tournament best 224 pins per round.
Zajac got his start in coaching at the scholastic level, spending time as an assistant coach for his alma mater, as well as for Lockport High School. He also spent time assisting the program at Niagara County Community College, before becoming the head varsity coach at Kenmore East High School, a post he held from 2013-15.
In addition, Zajac has named Daniel Antkowiak as his assistant coach. A former Erie Community College bowler as well, Antkowiak brings a resume that includes five Greater Buffalo City Tournament championships. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Greater Buffalo United States Bowling Congress which exists to promote bowling among all age groups in the area.
Also, Joe Hannon, the former head varsity coach at Maryvale High School, has agreed to come on as a coaching consultant for the program, lending years of experience to the coaching staff and student-athletes.
"We had to move quickly on this with our bowling season already underway, and David's name quickly rose to the surface as someone who could lead our young bowling program," Niland said. "It became quickly evident how respected he is in the local bowling community, and his own collegiate experience at an NCAA Division II student-athlete at Saginaw Valley State made him that much more attractive to us. With the additional staff he's put in place, I feel very confident about the direction our bowling program is headed."
"I am honored to be a part of Daemen Athletics and the women's bowling program," Zajac said. "Western New York has always been known as a bowling hot spot of sorts, and with the sport being such a big part of my life, I am very optimistic as to what we can build this program into. My goal is to grow the program, with the help of the coaching staff and athletic department, into a contender in the world of NCAA women's bowling. I am humbled by Athletic Director Niland and Daemen College for choosing me for this fantastic opportunity."
The Daemen College women's bowling team opened its 2016-17 season at last weekend's Bud Whitman Memorial Tournament hosted by Kutztown University at Berks Lanes in Reading, Pa. The Wildcats went 2-7 at the tournament, picking up wins over Virginia State University and Mount Aloysius College.
Kinyon led the team to a 14-31 record in its inaugural season last year. which included an apperance in the first-ever East Coast Conference Championship tournament for women's bowling. The East Coast Conference, which has expanded to include 10 members in women's bowling this season, is one of just seven NCAA conferences to sponsor women's bowling as a championship sport, and one of only two comprised solely of Division II institutions.
Provided by the Daemen Sports Information Department.
