CALDWELL, N.J. – Caldwell College will be adding the intercollegiate sport of bowling, Executive Director of Athletics Mark A. Corino announced. The NCAA program will begin play during the 2014-15 academic year, bringing the number of intercollegiate athletics programs offered by Caldwell College to 13.

"We are certainly excited to be adding another program to our growing athletics department," Corino said. "We are in the process of applying for associate membership into the Northeast Conference, which is one of the top conferences in the country for bowling. With the support of our administration, I am confident that our bowling program will become an asset to our department as well as the institution, and we look forward to competing next winter."

Caldwell's 12 current intercollegiate programs compete at the NCAA Division II level in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Bowling, which is a women's sport, has one division, classified as a "National Collegiate" sport, with 64 programs nationally. The Northeast Conference for bowling includes four institutions from New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson (Teaneck), Monmouth, New Jersey City University and St. Peter's. Adelphi, Kutztown, LIU Brooklyn, St. Francis Brooklyn, St. Francis (PA) and Sacred Heart are the other current members of the Northeast Conference.

According to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, 212 high schools in New Jersey offer girls' bowling.

"Caldwell is excited to continue its commitment to athletic program expansion and especially in the area of women's athletics," said Joseph J. Posillico, Vice President for Enrollment. "Bowling is a great opportunity for young women, and we believe we can be competitive. We are moving quickly to start by September 2014 and we're looking forward to reaching out to high schools with bowling programs in hopes of securing their best and brightest student-athletes."

For more information on the new bowling program, contact Ken Yokobosky at kyokobosky@caldwell.edu.