Cramer Hired To Start Bowling Program
11/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 3, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin Director of Athletics Robert Hill announced on Monday the hiring of former Ladyjack volleyball player Laura Cramer as the first head coach of the newly-formed Ladyjack bowling team.
"Laura was an outstanding athlete and has the experience, having been an athlete, to be able to organize and start a program," Hill said. "Her abilities as a professional bowler will also aide her in starting this program. I have all the confidence that we are on the right track in getting this program off the ground."
Women's bowling, in addition to women's golf, is being added to aide in SFA's move toward gender equity in athletics as defined by Title IX legislation. The sports will fill the void left when women's equestrian transitioned from a varsity to a club sport last spring.
SFA is the second SLC member to add bowling, following Sam Houston in that regard, with other SLC institutions expected to follow suit. The Ladyjacks will use the local bowling center for practice and competitions and are set to begin competition in the 2009-10 season. Cramer will use the remainder of this school year to recruit athletes and develop a schedule.
Cramer is returning to her alma mater after spending time in the business world following her playing career as a member of the Ladyjack volleyball team. While a student-athlete at SFA, Cramer helped the Ladyjacks claim three consecutive Southland Conference titles and was named 2005 Southland Conference Player of the Year.
She was a two-time All-SLC and Academic All-SLC selection, and was a key part of the 2006 Ladyjack team that enjoyed the most successful season in the history of SFA by going 31-4 and claiming the SLC regular season and tournament titles. That squad advanced to the NCAA Tournament where it knocked off Alabama in the first round.
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