UNIVERSITY PARK, IL - Governors State University Athletic Director Tony Bates announced the addition of the Women's Bowling program competing in the NAIA and CCAC beginning in 2023-2024. Melanie McDaniel was named the Head Women's Bowling Coach of the Jaguars earlier in the Spring.  This week Coach McDaniel announced the tentative upcoming season schedule for 2023-2024.

McDaniel from Joliet, IL was a three-time All-American bowler at NCAA Division I Alabama A&M University. Individually, she was Freshman of the Year in 2009 (SWAC), Bowler of the Year in 2012 (SWAC). Was a 4-time 1st team all-conference and 3 time All-American for the Bulldogs.

Melanie is currently a member of the Professional Womens Bowling Association (PWBA) tour with a scoring average of 225. In 2022-2023 she was an assistant coach at Saint Xavier University in the CCAC.

"I always get excited when our Jaguar family grows. We are starting Women's Bowling and Coach McDaniel is a great fit to start our team. She is a pro bowler herself with the ability to teach young ladies the game at a high level. I'm looking forward to watching this team grow!," said Bates of new coach McDaniel.