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Edison State Adding Men’s and Women’s Bowling to Athletic Programs

The Edison State Community College Athletic Department is excited to announce it will add men’s and women’s bowling to its list of intercollegiate athletic programs beginning in the fall of 2025.

February 25, 2025

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The Edison State Community College Athletic Department is excited to announce it will add men’s and women’s bowling to its list of intercollegiate athletic programs beginning in the fall of 2025.

“We’re thrilled to add men’s and women’s bowling to our athletic offerings,” said Edison State Athletics Director Justin McCulla. “We’ve seen the growth of collegiate bowling, and we think bowling will allow us to recruit students in a sport that’s popular in our area at the high school level. The timing made sense for Edison State to jump in and start both programs.”

The College has brought in Phil Baker as Head Bowling Coach for both the men’s and women’s teams. Baker started the Urbana University bowling team in 2008, and he brings a wealth of experience to building the program at Edison State.

“Coach Baker is a lifelong participant and advocate for the sport of bowling, and I’m excited to have him as Edison State’s first Head Bowling Coach,” said McCulla. “His combination of coaching experience at the collegiate and high school levels, his work with high-level bowlers, and his involvement with the game make him the ideal coach to start this program.”

McCulla added, “I wanted a coach who could recruit high-quality young men and women who are great students, people, and athletes. And of course, it’s important to have a coach who wants to build a winning program. Coach Baker is committed to excellence and helping everyone around him become better every day. He’s the kind of person we want to join our department.”

The men’s and women’s bowling teams will join Edison State’s baseball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball, and volleyball teams to compete in Region XII as Division II members of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and as members of the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC).

Those interested in playing should email Edison State Athletics Director Justin McCulla or call 937.381.1555.