NCC women’s bowling to be cut from varsity athletics

As of Monday, March 27, the administration notified the NCC women’s bowling team that they were to be cut from the varsity athletic program as of the 2023-24 academic year. NCC admin cited budgeting, rostering and a lack of a head coach as the main reasons for the change. This decision would prevent the team from receiving athletic department funding and disqualify them from competing in CCIW and NCAA tournaments. 

Student Affairs sent out an email early Thursday morning to announce changes for the upcoming fall semester. This email included their plans to change the bowling team into a club sport. 

This came as a shock to the athletes on the team, so they met with Student Affairs members on March 30 to discuss the possibility of reversing the decision.

Season outlook

The 2022-23 season saw a spectacular performance for NCC women’s bowling, as compared to previous seasons, and the team is audibly proud of its improvement. The achievements earned by the team this year are as followed: 

• Jessica Ramirez, ’24, received recognition as the CCIW Women’s Bowler of the Year for her performance. Ramirez averaged a 184.9 pin average. She also holds the title of 2021-2022 First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year.
• Talia Roti, ’23, earned secondary honors with All-CCIW Second Team recognition for her performance. She averaged a 169.1-pin average this season. 
• Jillian Brinkmann, ’26, earned the 2022-2023 RESPECT award. 

Not only did the team earn individual awards, but they also made it to the finals of the CCIW tournament. They placed 3rd overall. 

Call for action

The co-captain of the women’s bowling team, Ramirez, reached out to the Cardinal community in hopes of gaining support from the community to prevent the plans from going through. Many social media accounts affiliated with NCC shared this call to action. A form allowing students or community members to voice their support also made its rounds.

On the day of the planned meeting, several NCC community members showed up to back the team. Due to the anticipated large crowds and resulting safety concerns, Campus Security decided not to allow the large group of people to enter the meeting room.

When asked about NCC’s decision to cut the varsity program, Ramirez expressed her concerns.

“It’s very heartbreaking. My teammates and I have worked so hard for [our achievements]. We don’t want to see the program go,” said Ramirez. 

Along with Ramirez, one of the three graduating seniors of the program, Yvette Beltran, ’23, also shared their reaction.

“It’s very unfortunate that this happened during the moment the team experienced the highest point of the program, I was in disbelief […] the moment I discovered the team was being cut,” said Beltran. 

First-year athlete, Deena Rachel, ’26, spoke on her frustration about the decision.

“I’m very angry at this decision that they’re taking away the bowling team. It is the only reason I came to NCC,” said Rachel.

Student-athletes are not the only ones upset by the news. Roti’s father, Jay Roti, explained his emotions as a parent on the team.

“My daughter had a great experience as a bowler throughout her whole life, although losing a year due to COVID-19. It is upsetting to see the college get rid of a special sport,” said Roti.

Administration informed women’s bowling that any prospective students already committed to the team either have been, or will be, notified about the school’s decision to cut the team.