Recent Vanderbilt bowling graduate and four-time All-American Isabel Allen will join the Commodores as an assistant coach.
“We are very excited to have Issy step into a coaching role,” head coach John Williamson said. “She’s knowledgeable and passionate about bowling and will be a valuable resource to us. She has proven success bowling on the collegiate, national and international levels. Our current team members look up to her, and we know she’ll be a great role model for our group.”
The 2024-25 season was Allen’s first with the Commodores, during which she garnered second-team All-America and All-Conference USA honors. That year, she made a team-high four all-tournament teams, highlighted by MVP honors at the Prairie View A&M Invitational.
Before coming to Vanderbilt, Allen was one of the first-ever members of the Jacksonville State bowling program that went on to win the 2024 NCAA Championship in its inaugural season.
From 2020 to 2023, Allen bowled at McKendree where the Bearcats won the 2022 NCAA Championship and 2023 ITC Championship. As a freshman, she was honored as the NTCA Rookie of the Year and Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year.
In May 2024, Allen earned her undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State in integrated studies. She graduated from Vanderbilt with a master’s in medicine, health and society in August 2025.
“I’m thrilled to be transitioning from a student-athlete to assistant coach, and I’m truly honored to join such a dedicated and talented coaching staff,” Allen said. “Working alongside Coach John and Josie and contributing to the development of this exceptional group of athletes is an exciting opportunity. It’s especially meaningful to be part of a program like Vanderbilt, known for its tradition of excellence and success. I’m looking forward to a great season!”