Kim Terrell-Kearney has stepped down as head coach of the Delaware State University Bowling Team as announced today. After two seasons at the helm of the DSU bowling team, the 2009 National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Coach of the Year has left Delaware State for a position at the United States Bowling Congress in Arlington, Texas.

 

"It was a tough decision to leave Delaware State because of the wonderful student-athletes and staff I was privileged to work with the past two years," said Terrell-Kearney. "I’m grateful to the University administration and athletic department for the support which enabled the bowling program to reach new heights. The student-athletes in the DSU bowling program are among the best in the country, and I’m certain they will continue to bring pride to the University. From a personal and professional standpoint, it's a tremendous　opportunity to work with the U.S. Bowling Congress. Delaware State University will always hold a special place in my heart."

 

"The DSU Athletic Department is losing a quality coach and we are saddened by her departure," said DSU Director of Athletics Derek Carter. "Kim has done tremendous things for our bowling program as well as the University, making our program one of the nation’s elite. She will always be a part of the Hornet family and we want to wish her all the best."

 

Terrell-Kearney guided the Hornets to a school-record 119 wins (119-38) and first-ever appearance in the NCAA Women’s Bowling Championship Tournament this past season. The Hornets advanced to the national semifinals, two wins shy of reaching the national championship. Named the 2009 (MEAC) Coach of the Year, Terrell-Kearney also captured the bowling team’s first MEAC Tournament championship in March.

 

During her two-year stint as the head coach of DSU Bowling, Terrell-Kearney posted a 193-85 record, including a 48-9 mark in MEAC play. She coached four all-conference selections, including the 2008-09 MEAC Rookie of the Year (Adriana Jaime), eight academic all-conference honorees, and four NCTA All-Americans. This past season, Terrell-Kearney became the first Delaware State coach, in any sport, to earn a victory in an NCAA post-season contest (2-2).

 

In August of 2008,　Terrell-Kearney　won her second U.S. Women’s Open championship. She　captured the 2008 title with a 216-189 victory over Trisha Reid in the championship match of the U.S. Bowling Congress major event in Romeoville, Ill.　

 

Terrell-Kearney, who also won the 2001 Open championship, built an early lead and held on to win her third-career major title.

 

In the championship match, Terrell-Kearney struck on four of her first five shots to take a 24-pin lead at the halfway point, while Reid mustered just three strikes in the entire game.

 

The Terrell-Kearney/Reid championship contest also marked the first matchup of African-American athletes for a professional title in the history of bowling.　　

 

Terrell-Kearney joined the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) tour in 1989 after a successful four-year collegiate career at San Jose State University. She was the 1989 PBWA Rookie-of-the-Year.

 

From 1990 to 2002, Terrell racked up a number of tour championships, including the 2001 Women’s U.S. Open and the 2002 WIBC Queens title. In addition, she has been a member of the U.S. Junior National Bowling Team coaching staff the last four years.

 

Terrell-Kearney has also worked in various capacities for major bowling suppliers during her professional career. In addition to other duties, the San Francisco, CA native has served as a national representative for Brunswick, Inc., Linds World Impex and Ebonite International. She has also represented the United States Bowling Congress as a national spokesperson, and participated in the organization’s campaign to increase membership.

 

In 2005, Terrell-Kearney was inducted into the California State Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame and the San Mateo County (CA) Hall of Fame. She was selected as the San Francisco Black Sports Hall of Fame Athlete-of-the-Year in 1991.

 

As a collegian, Terrell-Kearney was a two-time College Bowling Writers Association All-America. Terrell earned a BS in health science from San Jose State in 1987.

 

A search for DSU’s new bowling coach will begin immediately with an announcement to be made in the upcoming weeks.

"We must now look towards filling her vacancy. We will be looking for a strong candidate who embodies a strong passion and commitment to academic and athletic excellence," said Carter