Oct. 10, 2014
Vanderbilt and Arkansas State’s bowling teams will have a soft launch to their respective seasons Sunday afternoon when the two powerful programs meet in Vanderbilt’s campus bowling facility for a non-counting exhibition.
The fourth-ranked Commodores and the No. 2 rated Red Wolves will meet in the Recreation Center for an afternoon of Baker and team games that will involve the entire rosters of both programs. The bowling will begin approximately 12:45 and could last until about 5:00 p.m.
It is the first such exhibition for Vanderbilt, which has typically traveled to nearby Alabama A & M for a recognized quadrangular event. While the NCAA will not officially recognize any statistics, both teams lose one day of competition from their season allotment, which is of no concern to either coach.
“This is going to be an excellent teaching opportunity for both teams,” Vanderbilt Coach John Williamson says. “With our new facility and unique lane conditioner we can bowl on a very competitive surface in a variety of situations that will benefit both of us. On top of that, we see a lot of Arkansas State over the year and our teams have a lot of respect for each other.”
Williamson expects to divide his roster into two teams that will square off against Arkansas State units in both Baker and team games over the afternoon.
Area fans are cautioned that while there will be top quality bowling and no admission fee, the four-lane facility will have little if any room for anyone but the collegiate bowlers. There is no spectator space in the otherwise practice facility.