September 25, 2026
The Ursuline College Athletic Department has announced the addition of its fifth men’s athletic program: Men’s Bowling.
Since first announcing plans to add men’s sports in 2024, Ursuline Athletics’ roster of men’s athletic programs includes indoor and outdoor track and field, cross country, golf and now bowling – all competing at the NCAA Division II level.
“Ursuline College is excited to build on the strength of our growing athletics program with the addition of men’s bowling,” said Athletic Director Cindy McKnight. “We are committed to creating opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high level while becoming an important part of our campus community.”
Men were first admitted to Ursuline College in 1969 and currently account for approximately 10 percent of the College’s undergraduate enrollment and 13 percent of student athletes. The addition of men’s bowling is part of Ursuline’s continued efforts to create opportunities that attract and engage more men across campus.
“There is a lot of momentum on the Ursuline College Campus, and our Arrows are a big part of that. Expanding athletics has helped fuel our record-breaking incoming class, full residence halls, and the vibrant energy on campus," said President Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D. “The addition of men's bowling reinforces our commitment to growing a competitive athletics program, while ensuring that even more student-athletes will have a chance to be part of Ursuline's exciting next chapter."
Women’s bowling has been part of Ursuline Athletics since 2011 and has established a strong foundation for the sport within the Arrows program. The women’s program has provided the College with more than a decade of experience in collegiate bowling and has helped establish the sport as an important part of the Ursuline athletics community.
“After seeing the impact of our women’s bowling program, we knew this was the right time to expand,” McKnight added.
"It's been great to see our male athletes embrace what it means to be an Ursuline Arrow - showing the same dedication to both academics and athletics as their female counterparts. As we enter the second season of competition for our men's cross country and track and field teams, and first for men's golf, we’re excited to officially add men’s bowling to our roster,” she continued.
Recruitment for men’s bowling is underway. The team will begin its inaugural season in winter 2027–2028.
