Bowling to roll onto LIU Post campus

Hayley Rydowski

Bowling, one of America’s greatest indoor pastimes, is having resurgence in the LIU Post student body.In fall 2016, a female bowling team will be established on campus. 

Edward Raven, an assistant professor in the medical imaging department in LIU Post’s School of Health Professions and Nursing, will be the team’s head coach.  

“I am excited for the opportunity to be the head coach of the Pioneers’ women’s bowling team,” Raven said. “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, to not only compete in a sport that they love, but to get the chance at an excellent education at LIU Post.” 

The LIU Post athletics department sent out e-mails this semester to all female students inquiring about interest in joining the team. For the first year, the team will consist of five to eight members, with the anticipation of eventually building up to 12 members.  

The athletic department is investigating several bowling centers for practices, and one will be chosen as the home for the team within the upcoming weeks.

 Once a “home house,” which is what the coach referred to as the bowling alley where the team will practice, is established, try outs will be held. 

The season will be starting in October 2016. Practices will begin as soon as “home house” is chosen. 

An annual bowling tournament will also take place on Long Island next week. 

The International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO) group and The NY/NJ Metro lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) group will present the Gotham Open Bowling Tournament during the weekend of April 9 to 10 at Farmingdale Lanes, in Farmingdale, NY. 

LIU Post alumnus Danny Schrafel (08’), a bowler in the IGBO league, is thrilled that bowling will soon be coming to campus. He spoke  about the upcoming IGBO tournament.  

“What I love most about bowling in IGBO leagues and events is the camaraderie. Typically, bowlers tend to self-segregate based on their ability level. Having an external force, such as being a league which caters to the LGBT community, bridges that gap.” 

The tournament, which is in its 28th year, will bring together bowlers, friends, families, and guests from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas for a weekend of competition, camaraderie, and fun.  

During the tournament, activities outside of bowling, such as evening hospitality parties, raffle prizes, additional fundraising events, the Gotham 2016 Journal, Promotional Welcome gift bags, and a weekend awards banquet, will be held for the bowlers and their guests. In the months leading up to the tournament, fundraisers have been held throughout the tri-state area, to help with subsidies, and gain sponsorships. 

For more information about the tournament, contact event directors Brian Parsons (bgo0028@yahoo.com) and Bert Messina (bertmessina@gmail.com). 

This article was originally published in the Pioneer, the award-winning student newspaper of LIU Post, www.liupostpioneer.com, and is republished here by Blank Slate Media with the permission of the Pioneer. 

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