Feb. 20, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS — After a steady diet of competition in which NCAA-sanctioned teams face the same opponents on a regular basis, Vanderbilt Coach John Williamson is tossing his No. 1 rated Commodores a big change of pace.
Vanderbilt will join 79 other collegiate club bowling teams at the 40th annual Hoosier Classic Saturday and Sunday at the Woodland Bowl here. It is believed to be the oldest and one of the most competitive college tournaments in the nation as the men’s and women’s club teams compete for $20,000 in prize money – the one feature that the Commodores obviously will not participate.
“We are really looking forward to this competition,” Williamson says. “There are 28 women’s teams in the field and we are the only NCAA team here. Bowling began as a club sport and many universities have not transitioned to the NCAA for a variety of reasons, including expense. But for us, this is going to be all about bowling against excellent competition, not their affiliation.”
One of the things Williamson likes about this tournament is that the top eight teams get bracketed exactly the same way as the NCAA Championship will run. Total pin fall in team games will determine the championship bracket, done by Baker games.
“Our fans should understand that there are some very good club teams,” Williamson cautions. “Nobody should think this is going to be easy, far from it. But we think it will be fun to see how we stack up against new faces and we are definitely going to give it our best shot.”
Vanderbilt, 67-13 for the season, will travel seven to this tournament with sophomore Ellen Morrison, a former Illinois two-time prep champion, joining Josie Earnest, Brittni Hamilton, Michelle Peloquin, Tara Kane, Karen Grygiel and Brittany Garcia.
Earnest will be competing Saturday (play begins at 8 a.m.) on little rest after arriving at the team hotel well after midnight. The 2008 NCAA Player of the Year will be in Nashville Friday evening to accept the Tennessee Female Amateur Co-Athlete of the Year Award along with former Tennessee Lady Vol basketball star Candace Parker. It is a major award both for Earnest and the emerging sport of bowling.
“We think it is important and fitting that Josie is at the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet to receive this in person,” Williamson says. “She has worked hard for years and deserves that recognition. We are very proud of her and understand what she means to our sport.”
The Hoosier will be a test of endurance for everyone. There are two, three-team game blocks Saturday starting at 8:15 a.m. (ET) and a potentially long day to follow Sunday with one more three-game team block before moving to the bracket finals at about noon. Awards are tentatively slated for 3:00 p.m. (Indianapolis is on Eastern Time.)
Because the competition is not NCAA-based, won-loss records will not count toward Vanderbilt’s season record.
The Hoosier Classic has been popular for years due to its large field, extremely challenging lane conditions and position as a late-season tune-up for the national tournament. Even with the large field, at one recent point there were 14 teams on the waiting list to enter.