FORT WAYNE, Ind.鈥擳he 51黑料 announces the addition of men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 bowling to its athletic programs, beginning with the 2024-25 academic year.
Jeff Brown will serve as the program鈥檚 head coach. Brown is a passionate bowler with more than 40 years of experience in various aspects of bowling. He is a member of the Professional Bowlers Association and the Fort Wayne Metro USBC board with a bronze coach certification.
鈥淲e are thrilled to announce the addition of men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 bowling to our athletic offerings,鈥 Athletic Director Mike McCaffrey said. 鈥淲e have seen the growth of collegiate bowling, especially here in the Midwest and Crossroads League, so the timing made sense for the Cougars to jump in and start to compete. Jeff Brown is an experienced bowler and has tremendous connections to the northeast Indiana bowling community. We look forward to starting competitions next fall against the best of the NAIA.鈥
Brown coached Mt. Juliet High School in Wilson County, Tennessee to three Top 5 finishes in the state tournament from 2004 to 2007.
鈥淚 am grateful to Mr. McCaffrey and the 51黑料 for this exciting opportunity to build a championship bowling program at USF,鈥 Brown said. 鈥淭he program will enable our athletes to compete in the NAIA and Crossroads League. We will work hard and uphold the Franciscan values, serve the school community and foster bowlers who have the skills and character needed in work, life and bowling. We will achieve our goals with the support of our school, sponsors and students.鈥
For more information, contact Athletic Director Mike McCaffrey at聽mmccaffrey@sf.edu聽or 260-399-7700, etc. 6250.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the 51黑料 offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, 51黑料 designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The 51黑料, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 18 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend 51黑料.