UMES Dedicates Bowling Lanes to Coach Sharon Brummell

Princes Anne, Maryland -- In her 14th year as coach of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's bowling team, head coach Sharon Brummell has accomplished a lot. Three National Championships, five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships, 20 All-America players, five MEAC Coach of the Year awards and two National Coach of the Year honors are just a few of the more glaring recognitions. Beyond the hardware however, Brummell has brought joy, pride, exposure, and recognition to the small Princess Anne, Md. campus and today, the school publicly thanked her for her efforts.

In a ceremony open to the campus and attended by current and former campus dignitaries and current and former players, her parents and family, the bowling lanes were formally named the Sharon D. Brummell Bowling Lanes.


UMES - 2011 NCAA Bowling Champions

"I can't believe this is happening," said Brummell in a speech at the event. "People ask me how you become a champion and I look around this room and answer, this is how you become a champion. You have people who support you in what you do," she told the large crowd packed inside the bowling center.

The six lane center, housed in the ten-year old Student Services Center (SSC) right on campus, are used for student recreation as well as by the team as one of their two practice facilities. They are adorned with championship banners, photos of all the All-America bowlers from the school's history, all coached by Brummell, photos of the national championship wins and a newly placed mural above the lanes of Brummell throughout her coaching career.

"I was in tears," Brummell added. I had seen the prototype of this but to see it in person really took me aback. I have to thank my Mom and Dad, who attend all my championships, my son Bobby, sister Colleen and husband Vince. They have been there every step of the way."

"This is a more than deserved honor," said Director of Athletics Keith Davidson. "What this woman has accomplished in her sport is amazing. Three national titles in four years and to be the first woman to win an NCAA title and the first African-American to win the NCAA and USBC Collegiate titles, what else do you need to solidify yourself as a legend in this sport? I think I can say with certainty that she is not only one of the best bowling coaches in the country, but one of the best college coaches in the country, period."

"I am just glad the campus could do something like this" said Kimberly Conway Dumpson, the University's Director of Alumni Affairs and Planned Giving who helped secure donations for the naming of the facility, including a major gift from alumnus and bowling supporter Melvin Hill. "This accomplishment stands proudly with anything else done in collegiate coaching, the entire campus, alumni and all our faculty and staff are just so proud of her."

UMES' new Interim President Mortimer Neufville also spoke at the event, stating, "Brummell is a role model for us, this recognition is well deserved."

Perhaps what summed up the occasion best were words by Dr. Hallie Gregory, the Athletics Director at Holly Grove Christian School, who was the athletics director at UMES that hired Brummell for the position. "As an athletic director you have to hire and fire a lot of people. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don't. But with Sharon Brummell I know that I got it right. I can rest my laurels on her and know that she has done an amazing job and made UMES the pinnacle of collegiate women's bowling."

By UMES Sports Information

O'Quinn, Aspiras named NSU Spartans' top athletes

Kyle O'Quinn, a junior basketball player from Jamaica, N.Y., and Thea Aspiras, a freshman bowler from Great Bridge High, were named Norfolk State's male and female Athletes of the Year at the school's athletic banquet Monday night.

O'Quinn became NSU's first MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and was named first team all-conference after ranking fourth in the nation in blocked shots (3.4 per game) and fifth in the country in rebounds (11.1 per game).

Aspiras was named the MEAC bowling Rookie of the Year, a first for NSU. She also became NSU's first first-team all-conference bowler, and is NSU's first bowling All-American after she was named to the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) second team. She averaged 197.5 per game this year, including a high game of 277.


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UMES's Rodriguez named NCAA Division I Player of the Year

All-American Maria Rodriguez

DETROIT, MI -- Maria Rodriguez has a big hand in the success of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (UMES) women's bowling program and Wednesday she was recognized for it with the NCAA sport's highest honor.

Rodriguez was names the Division I Player of the Year by the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) at the NCAA Tournament Banquet on the eve of the championship.

"What an honor," said Rodriguez. "I am truly humbled by this; it is great to be recognized by the coaches who have driven this sport to where it is. For me it justifies all the hard work, all the sweat, blood and tears that have literally gone into my college career. It is an awesome feeling."

Rodriguez is the first National Player of the Year UMES has ever had since becoming a Division I program and, along with teammate Kristina Frahm one of two four-time All-Americans in school history.

"I am so proud of Maria," said head coach Sharon Brummell. "I know she feels vindicated. She gave up a lot to come here and start her bowling life anew but in the end it has been great for her and great for our program and university. She has been a driving force in elevating this program to the status we have today. She deserved this award."

Frahm joined Rodriguez as a First-Team All-American, the second selection of her career and fourth overall. Martha Perez was a Second-Team All-American and Anggie Ramirez earned her first All-American selection being named to the third team.

Rodriguez earned her third Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year award earlier this season and finished with an average of 210.44. She was named to three All-Tournament Teams this season, was a MEAC Bowler of the Week and even had time to earn the honor of top bowler in her nation's Team Trials. She also earned her third All-MEAC award this season and posted the second highest pinfall of any women's bowler at any ISC sectional.

HAWKS SET FOR OPENING DAY OF NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Live Video | Tournament Central | 2011 UMES Post-Season Guide (NCAA)

TAYLOR, Mich. - Arriving in Detroit Tuesday night, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's bowling team got settled and prepared for the coming days and their pursuit of a second national championship in the last four years. For seniors Maria Rodriguez, Kristina Frahm and Martha Perez a title would mean a nice set of bookends for their careers. The three were freshman on the 2008 championship team.

The Lady Hawks arrived early at Skore Lanes on Wednesday to get in their 90-minute practice session and tested different shots, balls and positioning as well as reading the shot (the oil pattern laid down on the lanes the teams will bowl on for the event). Following their practice, each team member had to select and enter just five balls for tournament use, checking them in, having them weighed and even having uniforms inspected for championship play.

After a daunting trip to two different Target stores (the team had to purchase matching belts for competition), they settled in for some rest before the banquet that evening. After winning numerous awards, including four All-American honors, Rodriguez being named Player of the Year andFrahm earning the NCAA Elite 88 Award it was off to a team meeting and bed for the long day ahead.

By UMES Athletics

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Howard Tabs Big Conference Wins in Season Finale

MILLSBORO, DEL. – The Howard bowling team wrapped up their season at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference North Tournament on March 5 with three head-to-head wins over Coppin State (840-693), Hampton (884-875) and Morgan State (821-806).

The Lady Bison (30-75, 8-17 MEAC) posted their best winning percentage (66.7 percent) in head-to-head competition in Millsboro, Del. during their third MEAC North Tournament trip this season. Howard’s win over Morgan State was their first win against the Lady Bears all year as MSU held the 5-0 advantage before taking their first loss to the Lady Bison. The Lady Bison also sacked their second season win over Hampton–their first came on Jan. 22, 2011 at the Lady Bulldog Classic.

The win over Coppin State secured a season sweep over the Eagles as HU went 4-0 against CSU over the course of the season.

Howard was unable to overcome Delaware State or Maryland-Eastern Shore in head-to-head matches, as the Lady Bison fell 730-886 and 751-1009, respectively. The Bison failed to force a win over DSU and UMES all season in this category of play.

Jasmine Hardesty bowled a personal high of 189 pins during the tournament, which is her second best this season. Her season high came in the Kutztown Invite on Jan. 28, 2011 where she bowled 198.

Taneeka Hanna averaged 154 pins in her four games, nearly peaking her career best of 159.6 pins, a mark she reached during the first MEAC North Tournament back on Nov. 13, 2010. Alexzandria Johnson also reached her second-best average of the year, averaging 172.2 pins on five games to tie a previous mark she met during the first MEAC North Tournament.

Johnson was second on the team with pins knocked down with 861 behind Briana Uzzell who tallied 888 pins for the Bison. Uzzell has served as a critical member of the Lady Bison and accumulated the most pins for Howard (9,198) this season, averaging 177.6 knock downs. Her personal high came during the Kutztown Invite on Jan. 28, 2011 where she bowled 256, a mark that still leads the Bison.

Johnson and Jordane Frazier aren’t too far behind Uzzell as they rank second and third on the team with pins knocked down with 8,643 and 8,204, respectively.

In a series of four games against CSU, DSU, UMES, MSU and Hampton during Baker play, the Lady Bison posted a 1-4 record, including a win over Coppin State (635-559). Howard dropped to DSU (675-750), UMES (620-809), MSU (699-794), and Hampton (611-677).

Despite leaving with only one win in the Baker matches, the Lady Bison are riding high on their recent accomplishments and notable wins, including that against then-No.1 Vanderbilt. Howard is set to cruise into the MEAC Championship Tournament that will take place in Greensboro, N.C. on March 18 and before entering into the NCAA Championship Tournament in Taylor, Mich. on April 14.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
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Howard Bison Snag Four Wins in MSU Invite

PERRY HALL, MD.--The Howard bowling team competed in the eighth annual Morgan State Invitational Bowling Tournament over the weekend. The Bison (27-73, 5-15 MEAC) snagged four wins and dropped seven matches in their final meet before the MEAC tournament.

The Bison went 1-4 in the head-to-head games on Friday, losing to Monmouth (819-888), Sacred Heart (817-944), Florida A&M (837-858) and N.C. Central (726-785). Howard’s lone win came over Elmhurst as the Bison took down 814 pins compared to Elmhurst’s 756, marking their 10th win in head-to-head competition on the season.

In the quad baker games Howard split four matches, winning two over Long Island (669-655), MEAC rivals Norfolk (778-694) and dropped a pair of matches to Bethune-Cookman (636-669, 684-773).

Nebraska dominated the MSU Invitational and would earn their second consecutive championship by the close of the weekend, marking their sixth title in eight years. Maryland Eastern Shore took second, and Vanderbilt, the 2009 champions of the invitational, placed third.

Alexzandria Johnson averaged 168 pins over the weekend, dropping a total 840 pins in five games while teammate Jordane Frazier amassed 824 pins in five games, bringing her weekend average to 164.8 pins.

The Howard bowling team will have their eyes set on a successful trip to round out their season in Millsboro, Del. on Mar. 5 for conference play. Visit Howard-Bison.com for updates on Bison Bowling.

By Tiffany White
Sports Information Assistant
Howard University

She's Got Game: FAMU Bowling Team On A Roll

Success is a common word used when talking about the FAMU Women's Bowling Team. In the middle of their season, the 9 women squad is continuing their quest to reach their goals. " We are trying to reclaim our division championship title." says coach Sheila Martin.

Most recently the Lady Rattlers finished at the top of the FSU Seminole Bowling Classic, and 4th in the MEAC Southern Division Tournament. These bowlers will compete in two away tournaments before bowling again on their home lanes in the beginning of February. They know in order to keep their 18th national ranking and inprove on it, its going to be a team effort.



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Bowling: UMES Perched Atop December NTCA Poll

UMES Head Bowling Coach Sharon Brummell

After an eventful fall semester, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore of Princess Anne, MD was ranked as the No. 1 NCAA women’s bowling program in the country by the National Tenpins Coaches Association in its December national poll. UMES received 16 out of a possible 25 first place votes.

Highlighting their successful first half was the Hawks’ championship match victory over the University of Central Missouri to win the 20-team Hawk Classic in Millsboro, DE. UMES (41-7) also ended in second place at the 18-team Jersey Jamboree in Howell, NJ; and owns a commanding six game lead in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division after 20 matches.

Ranked second was Fairleigh Dickinson University of Teaneck, NJ, 2010 NCAA national champions. The Knights (40-9), who collected four first place votes, won the championship of the Jersey Jamboree by defeating UMES in the title match; finished in second at the 22-team Jeanette Lee Invitational in Midlothian, VA; and after nine matches sits in a first place tie in the North East Conference with three other schools.

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National Tenpin Coaches Association Poll

December 2010

Rank	School (first-place votes)	Season Record
1.	Maryland-Eastern Shore (16)	41-7
2.	Fairleigh Dickinson (4)	40-9
3.	Nebraska - Lincoln (5)	19-3
	tral Missouri	26-14
5.	Sam Houston State	28-13
6.	Arkansas State	26-10
7.	Kutztown	41-13
8.	Sacred Heart	35-14
9.	New Jersey City	36-13
10.	Adelphi	41-18
11.	St. Francis (NY)	33-16
12.	Vanderbilt	13-17
13.	Valparaiso	27-20
14.	Alabama A&M	11-5
15.	Stephen F. Austin	15-13
16.	Norfolk State	28-15
17.	Delaware State	24-22
18.	Florida A&M	21-12
19.	Minnesota State - Mankato	19-18
20.	Louisiana Tech	27-17
Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically)
Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC; Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX;  Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA; State University of New York Institute of Technology, Utica, NY;  University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.

Delaware State bowler a star in the driver's seat

Bower is Pennsylvania track's first female feature race champion.

During the school year, Nicole Bower is on a mission to bring Delaware State University its first NCAA team championship in any sport. But during the summer, Bower kicks off her bowling shoes and puts on her racing helmet and firesuit to race sprint cars at tracks in Pennsylvania.

On the bowling lanes, Bower helped the Hornets advance to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament last spring. She has found success behind the wheel, too. In early May, Bower led all 20 laps of the 358 sprint feature at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicburg, Pa., becoming the first female to win a feature race at the half-mile clay track. The "358" designation refers to engine displacement. Bower lives about 15 minutes from the track in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

"It was unbelievable," said Bower, who began her racing career at the age of 12 in a quartermidget, often racing at New Castle's Airport Speedway. "It took quite a few days for the win to set in. I had dreamed of standing in victory lane at Williams Grove for a long time. All of the great drivers have been there ... and to get that opportunity is just great."

The 19-year-old will gott yet another thrill on August 5, when she competed against Sprint Cup regulars Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart in the Ollie's Bargain Outlet "Battle at the Grove" charity race at Williams Grove.

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Kearsley bowler Danielle Hale commits to Morgan State

Danielle Hale selected the Lady Bears over Jackson State and Delaware State University.

Flint, Michigan -- One of the fastest-growing sports on both the high school and college level is bowling and one of the finest bowlers in the area will be taking her game to the next level when the college bowling season begins later this year.

Kearsley High School (Flint, Michigan) senior Danielle Hale signed a college scholarship June 8 to continue her career at Morgan State University in Baltimore. "This is a great thing for Danielle and for all girls bowling in the area," said Kearsley coach Rob Ploof. "Morgan State is getting a very good bowler from Kearsley and she will instantly make that team much better. I am extremely proud of Danielle for everything she has accomplished in bowling at Kearsley."

Hale helped Kearsley to one of its finest seasons ever this past winter. She averaged 186 for the Hornets this season and had a 78 percent spare percentage. "I am really, really excited about bowling in college," Hale said. "I'm ecstatic about the opportunity. I was thinking that I would not get the opportunity to bowl in college and I was so happy when I had the chance." She received an assist in her college recruitment from Flint Northern coach Mike Balentine, who was attending an NCAA bowling tournament in Tennessee when he talked to college coaches and let them know about Hale.

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UMES Lady Hawks Fall; Finish 5th in NCAA Bowling Championship

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J.—Some things just aren't meant to be. With a team that has no seniors, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) will try again next year to claim their second NCAA Championship. They bowed out early, falling to New Jersey City University 4-1, and finishing tied for fifth in the nation. "We always come in with the expectation of winning," said Sharon Brummell, UMES head coach. "I think we got a fresh start this morning after a rough day yesterday. We played well under pressure in our win over Vanderbilt but we made a lot of mistakes and I think the team that makes the least mistakes on this shot will be the winner."

Mistakes may be an understatement, the Lady Hawks (103-37) left 15 open frames in their five games against NJCU (78-45), 10 of which were splits. "We couldn't get Paula going," said Brummell of sophomore All-American Paula Vilas. "She is the key to our engine, she starts us up. She wanted it so bad but as the lead-off we need her to strike and we just couldn't get her, or anyone for that matter, adjusted to the pattern." The pattern, Brummell speaks of, is how the oil is laid on the lanes.

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