Youngstown State’s Doug Kuberski named Southland Bowling League Coach of the Year
For the second time in his four-year tenure, Youngstown State’s Doug Kuberski has been named the Southland Bowling League Coach of the Year. The conference announced its superlative awards on Thursday ahead of the 2023 Southland Bowling League Championship.
Kuberski, who became a Penguin midway through the 2018-19 season, was previously named the Southland Coach of the Year and NTCA National Coach of the Year in 2019-20.
“In the four years I’ve been at YSU, Coach Doug has continuously given this program 100 percent every week,” said senior captain Megan Grams. “He is dedicated to the continual growth of this program and to his players at the individual level.
“For him, it’s not just about bowling. He cares about our mental and physical health and ensures that we are having a positive college experience with fun memories. He has helped redefined what it means to be a Penguin bowler and the pride that comes with that. I couldn’t think of a more deserving coach for this award.”
Big year for Doug Kuberski
Kuberski has led Youngstown State to its best head-to-head record in program history so far this season. The Penguins went 78-39 in their nine regular-season tournaments, and their .667 winning percentage sits ahead of the 2019-20 team’s school-record mark of .653. YSU finished eighth or better in all nine of its regular-season tournaments, and it began the campaign with back-to-back runner-up finishes at the MOTIV Penguin Classic and the Dezy Strong Classic. Kuberski earned his 250th win as a Penguin on Oct. 29, 2022, and his 300th victory came on March 3.
The Penguins are averaging a school-record 200.21 in Baker games, and they are just behind last season’s school-record pace in traditional games at 199.34. YSU is also track to set new school standards for fill-frame percentage (84.24%), spare percentage (69.12%), makeable spare percentage (82.48%), and single pin spare percentage (87.89%).
In addition to Kuberski’s award, Vanderbilt’s Mabel Cummins and Alyssa Ballard were named the Southland Bowling League Bowler and Newcomer of the Year, respectively. The awards were decided based on a vote of the league’s head coaches.
Youngstown State will begin competition at the Southland Bowling League Championship on Friday at 9:30 a.m. The Penguins are the fourth seed in the tournament, and they will begin the tournament against fifth-seeded Sam Houston. YSU will try to win the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament or boost its resume for a potential at-large invitation.
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