Columbia 300, Schools Ready for 2019 Collegiate Bowling Season
HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY – Columbia 300 has a rich tradition of excellence in the world of bowling. Nowhere is the tradition more exemplified than in its sponsorship of collegiate bowling.
“Programs such as the Savannah College of Art and Design, Vanderbilt and Webber epitomize the spirit of Columbia 300,” said Rob Gotchall, manager players and performance. “Their work ethic and commitment to winning championships adds to the legacy of the brand and, in turn, Columbia 300 is able to leverage its resources to help the athletes and programs achieve their goals.”
“It truly is a win-win for all parties,” he said.
Katie Thornton, head coach of men and women’s bowling at SCAD-Savannah, the 2019 NAIA National Champions, said she could immediately see the benefit of a partnership with the brand.
“We would not have been able to get to the level our program is at so quickly with the support received from Ebonite International, and Columbia 300,” Thornton said. “From literally the first conversation we had, there was no hesitation to begin support of us and believing in what we were going to build in Savannah.”
Vanderbilt University, 2018 NCAA champions and 2019 runner-up, is a tremendous success story both on, and off, the lanes and continues to grow alongside Columbia 300.
“When our program was just getting going, our budget was not sufficient and we had no track record of success to sell ourselves to the bowling community,” said John Williamson, head bowling coach at Vanderbilt University. “We were tremendously grateful for Columbia 300 stepping up to give us much needed assistance.”
“Over the years, as we achieved more success, Columbia 300 has grown with us, making sure to provide the expertise and quick service we need.”
“It takes a lot to win a national championship,” he said. Columbia 300 plays a major role in the equipment and expertise required to do so.”
Del Warren, head coach at 2019 ITC national champions Webber, said the goal is always to win a national championship, but over the course of the next five years, program development is also an area of focus.
“I’m trying to put things in place so the coaches can grow,” Warren said. “Only if we grow can we translate that into the athletes and the overall program.”
“Having a culture that pushes to get better every day is the only way we’re relevant in five years,” he said. “I know Columbia 300 and Ebonite International will continue to do the same, which is never settling for the status quo.”
In addition to SCAD-Savannah, Vanderbilt and Webber, Columbia 300 also sponsors Adelphi, Arkansas State, Columbia College, Maryville, Nebraska, Pikeville, Prairie View A&M, SCAD-Atlanta, University of the Cumberlands, UNLV, and Youngstown State.
Be sure to watch Columbia 300 social media, as well as the athletic pages of these schools, to keep up with all the collegiate bowling action this year.