Brookville, N.Y. - LIU Post Director of Athletics and Recreation Bryan Collins revealed Wednesday that the department would be expanding in the 2016-17 academic year with the addition of women's bowling as a varsity sport.
"We are always looking to increase opportunities for our student-athletes and I am excited to announce that women's bowling will be a part of the Pioneer tradition in 2016," Collins said. "There is a growing interest in bowling. For many years, we have had prospective athletes come into our offices and discuss the possibility of starting a women's bowling program.
"The East Coast Conference, which we are a part of, sponsors bowling as a championship sport," Collins later added. "Our local competitors and institutions are adding it, and we felt it was imperative to offer bowling as an opportunity to our students."
Leading the Pioneers at the helm is Edward Raven, a nationally-certified United States Bowling Congress coach and a former 10-year member (1994-2004) of the Professional Bowlers Association.
Raven, who will be making his coaching debut at the collegiate level, has worked with several bowling legends and all-stars, including Don Johnson, Fred Borden and Jeri Edwards. He has also collaborated with 12-time PBA Champion Jason Belmonte and Diandra Asbaty at the International Art of Bowling.
In his 48 years on the lanes, Raven, an assistant professor at LIU Post, has tallied 31 scores in the 270-279 range, and bowled one perfect game. Additionally, he has posted four 800-plus series and four 7-10 split conversions.
"We are pleased to appoint Edward Raven as the first head coach of our women's bowling program," Collins stated. "Edward had shown a strong expertise and great interest in starting up the program, We are happy to have such a passionate coach on board at LIU Post."
"I am excited for the opportunity to be the head coach of the Pioneers' women's bowling team," said Raven. "Bowling has been my passion for many years and I am looking forward to our inaugural season. This is a fantastic opportunity, not only for myself, but for the student-athletes as well, to not only compete in a sport that they love, but to get the chance at an excellent education at LIU Post."
Raven also mentioned: "LIU Post prides itself on its academic excellence, and we are enthusiastic about bowling and getting a quality education. With a strong work ethic, the desire to succeed on the lanes and a commitment to learning in the classroom, we have the opportunity to develop the program and our student-athletes into some of the best around."
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
