Kansas City, Mo. — The MIAA took action today to sponsor women’s bowling as an NCAA championship sport. The league’s first women’s bowling champion will be crowned at its inaugural conference tournament to be held March 25-26, 2017 at the KC Bowl in Kansas City, Kansas.

“The MIAA is excited to sponsor this opportunity for women’s collegiate student-athletes that have a passion for bowling.” Commissioner Dr. Bob Boerigter said. “Our Members and Associate Members who provide this sport are committed to both student academic success and they also seek to provide a quality competitive athletics experience for their student-athletes. All believe the MIAA bowling championship will provide that opportunity.”

Drury University of Springfield, MO, Elmhurst College of Elmhurst, Ill., Maryville University of St. Louis, Mo., McKendree University of McKendree, Ill. and Nebraska Wesleyan University of Lincoln, Neb. were all accepted into the MIAA as Associate Members.

They will join current MIAA members the University of Central Missouri and Lincoln University in the 7-team MIAA Bowling league.

In addition to the conference tournament, the schools have agreed to a schedule of regular season common events that will provide the framework to seed the conference championship. Student-athletes on each team will be eligible for weekly player-of –the-week honors as well as post-season all-conference athletic and academic awards.

— MIAA Press Release —