John York is the head coach of the women's college bowling team at Wilmington University. He was been the head coach since 2016. Previously, he also coached the men's bowling club team at New Jersey Institute of Technology where he was the Eastern Intercollegiate Bowling Conference (EIBC) Coach of the Year in 2012 and named to the Top 100 Coaches in Bowler's Journal International Magazine in 2010, 2012, and 2014. We were lucky enough to have John York walk us through some recruiting information for college bowling.
1. What are some of the most important qualities you look for in a college bowling recruit?
The 3 most important qualities I look for are physical ability, academic status, and current and future goals.
2. What is the best way for a recruit to get on your radar?
Direct emails prove that you have initiative. Recruitment videos and local sport shot competitions are the best ways for me to notice recruits.
3. When and how should a player contact you?
By NCAA rule, we cannot communicate with our female PSAs until June 15 following their sophomore year of high school. Once we reach that point, I am always available to communicate with any PSA who shows interest in our program. The best way to contact me is by sending me an e-mail. My address is on our college website, and I answer everyone who contacts me, either right away or within a few days at most. Again, I believe recruiting is ongoing year-round.
4. What are your expectations for incoming players as students and athletes?
Be better tomorrow than you were today.
5. What are the main dos and don'ts for a recruit's bowling highlight tape?
| Do | Don't |
| Take videos on sport shots | Take videos on house shots |
| Include some spare conversion shots | Make the videos too long |
| Include contact information | Include slow motion video |
| Include intended majors | |
| Include areas of interest | |
| Include how far you are willing to travel | |
| Include academic standing | |
| Include shots with tape on the ball to demonstrate rev rate |
6. Timing is everything. When do you recommend recruits share their highlight reels with you?
I read and respond to everyone who contacts me. I believe recruiting is ongoing 24/7/365, so I have no preference. I treat every player who reaches out to me with gratefulness and respect and in return, I expect the same from them. The earlier they reach out to me with an e-mail, video, etc., the more we are able to interact and see if we are a match. I am the first person to watch and evaluate highlight reels, which usually take place shortly after I receive them. I will often allow my assistant to view it afterward.
7. What is the top advice you can offer a recruit?
Be visible and responsive.
Related: Have a Ball: An Introduction to NCAA Bowling
8. Is there anything else you would like to tell recruits?
Our roster is small, players get lots of hands-on training, and we want players who really love the sport and want to take their games to a higher level. We are a Division II program, but do our best to compete like a DI program, since that is who we compete against. I believe it helps create a good perspective that life is not fair, and sometimes you have to go the extra mile to get ahead, and that's ok.
Image Credit: Wilmington University Athletics
* Originally published on July 3, 2023, by Bella Nevin
