Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, Aurora University will sponsor intercollegiate men's bowling, the 26th varsity sport for the Spartan athletic department.
Rich McElmeel the current head coach of the AU women's bowling program will add the men's duties to his portfolio and be the Head Coach of both Spartan bowling programs. The men's program will function as AU's 26th varsity sport while competing in the USBC. The Spartan bowlers will call Funway Bowling and Entertainment their home lanes.
"I am pleased that we have continued our history at Aurora University of discovering ways to accommodate the interests and abilities of students, which led us to sponsor men's bowling," said Vice President for Athletics Jim Hamad. "This will prove to be another exciting opportunity for students and the campus community. Having Rich on staff to lead this new program, with his experience and proven success, makes this an exciting venture."
AU and McElmeel have begun the recruitment effort to build a roster for the men's program. Those interested in participating in collegiate men's bowling at Aurora University are encouraged to contact Coach McElmeel for further information at rmcelmeel@aurora.edu.
ABOUT AURORA UNIVERSITY
Aurora University, founded in 1893, is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution dedicated to providing students with an exceptional education. Located on a beautiful 39-acre campus in Aurora, Illinois — the state's second-largest city — AU is approximately 40 miles from Chicago. AU serves a diverse community of 5,900 students across more than 60 undergraduate academic programs and a variety of graduate degrees. In 2018, the university earned the federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution
AU students can participate in more than 60 musical, literary, religious, social, and service organizations, as well as contribute to campus governance. The university also fields 24 NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletic teams. Faculty, staff, and university leadership are committed to student success, offering strong academic support programs, hands-on learning opportunities, internships, career services, and community partnerships that prepare students to achieve their academic and professional goals.
For more information, visit
aurora.edu.
Aurora University is a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), Northern Collegiate Hockey Association and College Conference of Wisconsin and Illinois (bowling). The NACC began its first season of competition in the fall of 2006 and consists of 13 colleges and universities from the shared-border states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Member schools include: Alverno College, Aurora University, Benedictine University, Concordia University Chicago, Concordia University Wisconsin, Dominican University, Edgewood College, Lakeland University, Marian University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Rockford University, St. Norbert College and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
ABOUT THE UNITED STATES BOWLING CONGRESS (USBC)
The United States Bowling Congress is committed to providing a quality competitive bowling experience for college students through USBC Collegiate. The vision of USBC Collegiate is to provide quality bowling programs which encourage social, recreational and athletic student participation on all college campuses.
