By Steph Robbins Boeding ’99

Soon, wrestling and baseball won’t be the only Wartburg athletics programs with pins and strikes. The college has announced the addition of men’s and women’s bowling as varsity sports, beginning competition in the 2018-19 academic year.

Joe Squires, former Waldorf University head men’s and women’s bowling coach, will lead the program. He served at Waldorf for two years, taking the men’s team to its first postseason bid in 2015-16. The Warriors made a repeat appearance in 2016-17.

Wartburg fans will enjoy the unique atmosphere of collegiate bowling competition, Squires said. 

“There is nothing like sitting on the edge of your seat, as a fan, when your team throws a ball and you’re hoping for a strike. There is always cheering and noise going on; it’s a part of the demand for focus during the games and competitions,” he said. 

The men’s and women’s teams will practice at Waverly Bowl Inn and will travel for competition. Squires has been recruiting bowlers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois, reaching out to high school coaches and promoting the new program. Bowlers have already committed to play at Wartburg in fall 2018, and Squires will continue to recruit heavily in the region this spring.

“I hope they can enlighten the general public about the growing interest in the sport, especially at the youth level,” said Keith Denton, former Waverly Bowl Inn co-manager. “I also hope our youth bowlers see there are opportunities for them at the collegiate level. It’s exciting that Wartburg is taking this step and that the Waverly Bowl Inn will get to be a part of that.” 

Collegiate teams use the baker scoring format, which Squires said is “a little different than what the recreational bowler is used to.” In baker scoring, five teammates bowl toward one game score. The first teammate bowls frames 1 and 6, the second teammate bowls frames 2 and 7, and so on, with the fifth teammate bowling frames 5 and 10. 

“It promotes an even greater emphasis on team play and the team dynamic in bowling,” Squires said.

This marks the first new men’s program since soccer was added in 1982 and the newest women’s program since lacrosse was established in 2013. The two bowling teams will bring Wartburg’s total number of varsity teams to 22—11 each for women and men. Wartburg’s bowling teams will compete as independents, as bowling is not an Iowa Conference-sponsored sport.

“Bowling is a very popular sport within our state and region at the high school level,” said Rick Willis, Wartburg athletic director. “The number of college teams has been growing in recent years. We are excited to offer this opportunity for prospective students.

“Joe’s experience as a college bowling coach, his understanding of the regional bowling landscape, and his liberal arts background make him an excellent fit for our program.” 

Prior to Waldorf, Squires was the head boys bowling coach for two seasons and the girls bowling coach for one season at Mason City High School. The Albert Lea, Minn., native bowled at the varsity level all four years in high school and qualified for the state tournament three times. Squires earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell College in 2008 and his master’s degree from Waldorf in 2016. 

Several other schools in the Central region have women’s bowling programs, including Augustana College (Ill.) and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Augustana’s team began its inaugural season last fall.