YSU program gets set for fall

March 15, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

The newest addition to the Youngstown State University sports lineup is women’s bowling which begins its initial varsity season in the fall.

First-year head coach Chelsea Gilliam already has hit the ground running hoping to sell her program to prospective recruits.

On the job since September and working hard on the recruiting process, she’s also been taking the steps to ensure that her program remains in compliance with NCAA rules and regulations.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s meeting at Avion Banquet Center, she noted that the Mahoning Valley has some exceptional scholastic bowling programs and the tri-state area has served as her current recruiting base.

“It has been fun to hit the recruiting trail while getting things in order for our first year of competition,” Gilliam said. “We have athletes coming in from Ohio, Illinois and Michigan, and we expect to be competitive from the outset.

“We also hope to be one of the eight remaining teams in the national tournament with the ultimate goal to win it all and bring a title to YSU. Competition starts in October while the national tournament takes place a year from April in Baton Rouge, La.”

Women’s bowling became a NCAA sanctioned sport during the 2004-05 academic year while men’s bowling remains at club status.

A native of Rockford, Ill., Gilliam has been bowling since she was 5 years old, growing up in a family that called bowling alleys their second home.

“I grew up in bowling centers as my parents bowled and so did all of my siblings,” she said. “I bowled throughout high school and as a junior, was fortunate to be a part of part of my high school’s state championship team [Winnebago High School] in Winnebago, Ill.”

Gilliam, who finished fourth individually at state her senior season, earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and four letters as a member of the tradition-rich bowling program at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky. Canfield’s Andrew Letscher, who finished second overall at state this past season, will attend Pikeville in the fall.

“My senior year, we won the NAIA Invitational championship and believe me, there is no greater feeling than being part of a championship team,” she said. “That was in 2012 and while I’ve won a ring as an athlete, I am now ready to win one as a coach.”

Upon graduation, Gilliam accepted a graduate assistant coaching position on the Union College bowling staff. After a brief stay at the Barbourville, Ky., school, she took over as interim head coach for men’s and women’s teams.

She became full-time shortly thereafter and spent the next two years with the Bulldogs’ program.

Building the YSU women’s program into a national contender is a challenge she has fully embraced

“I’m very excited to be here and cannot wait to for the competition to begin,” she said. “My hope is to show everyone a side of bowling that they didn’t know existed.”