Recruits

This is something that most players will be take advantage of from the beginning of the fall semester. Free practice allows athletes to take the new information they are learning and apply it on the lanes. Shocker bowlers have access to free practice both on and off campus. Student-athletes are encouraged to take advantage of this privilege, as most collegiate bowling programs do not offer this opportunity to their bowlers.

Every student-athlete in the Shocker Bowling Program receives a 200 page binder known as a "team book." This binder is filled with cutting edge educational material on all major facets of the sport of bowling. Information on the physical game, bowling equipment, lane play, sports psychology, and physical conditioning is included in the team training binder. The information in each team book comes from a variety of elite sources, such as the USBC Coaching Certification Program; former Team USA Head Coach, Fred Borden; the Kegel Company and materials designed specifically for the Wichita State University Bowling Program. This binder is brought to each educational session where our staff of master instructors supplements the binder with further handouts and information. The information in this team binder is highly beneficial to improving a student-athletes skills and abilities both on and off the lanes.

Every student-athlete in the Shocker Bowling Program is able to attend these classes throughout the year. Each class will cover a different topic. Subjects that may be discussed include: time management & study skills, drug & alcohol awareness, physical game, equipment, lane play, sports psychology, professional tours, life after college, bowling balls, team play, and physical training.

Topics will be presented by numerous guest speakers who are professionals and experts in their field. Most of these speakers are well known in the bowling industry and come from all over the country. These experts include world renowned sports psychologist Dr. Dean Hinitz, and WSU's nationally recognized coaching staff fronted by Mark Lewis and Rick Steelsmith. The lessons provided by these individuals greatly contribute to making the program's Elite Training Program successful and unprecedented. Most of the material presented during these sessions will be beyond what is included in the TEAM BOOKS.

With the support of several corporate sponsors, USBC sanctioned intercollegiate bowlers in the program are allowed to purchase new bowling balls, bags, shoes and accessories at deep discounts. This exceptional program gives athletes the ability to purchase, drill and use the latest bowling balls at significantly reduced cost

It is the goal of the Shocker Bowling Program to give EVERY student-athlete who goes through our tryout process the opportunity to be their absolute BEST. Players outside the Selected Team are encouraged to participate in the DEVELOPMENTAL COACHING PROGRAM following the conclusion of tryouts and team selection.

The Associate Coaching Program is designed to help student-athletes improve their bowling skills. The Developmental Coaching Program is a series of coaching sessions throughout the college bowling season to help players improve their individual skills and learn what it takes to be a successful player at the collegiate level and beyond. Additional alumni will occasionally assist Coach Steelsmith and Coach Lewis with these sessions. Some of these alumni may include, Francois Lavoie, Packy Hanrahan, and other alumni who live in the Wichita area and volunteer their time to help student-athletes,

This extraordinary group of coaches include national collegiate champions, PBA & PWBA members, junior and adult Team USA members and USBC Bronze and Silver certified coaches. The main goal of the Developmental Coaching Program, along with the entire Elite Training Program, is to improve each players skills, coupled with the player’s strong work ethic, to advance to higher levels within the Shocker Bowling Program.

The Developmental Team competes in 3-4 collegiate tournaments during the fall semester.  This gives these players the chance to test their skills in a competitive environment, and learn how to compete on a team. 

The Developmental Team meets to practice once a week during the fall semester with the head coaching staff. These team practices mimick a selected team practice and gives the players an idea of what to work on for the coming season.

The selected team competes in 10 to 12 collegiate bowling tournaments every season. The season kicks off in October, with post-season play beginning in March.

The selected team meets four times a week for structured team practices.  These practices are run by coaches and team leaders, and consist of a wide variety of drills, mini competions, and team building activities.

Each player takes part in a 2 on 1 session once a week.  Two players will meet with Coach Steelsmith simaltaneously to work on their physical game with the aid of video, and the Specto Bowling System.

Every player on the selected team will meet with a small group once a week to take part in a structured curriculum designed to improve their mental game and to learn how they compete as a cohesive unit with their teammates.