DALLAS – The Sacred Heart University bowling team is set to join Conference USA as an affiliate member prior to the start of the 2025-26 season, the University and league announced on Monday afternoon.

Conference USA is the gold standard in Division I women's bowling, as the conference boasts the last three national champions and had seven teams ranked in the top 10 of the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) End of Season Poll. 

"I am thrilled at the opportunity for our bowling program to compete in a conference with such national recognition," said Executive Director of Athletics Judy Ann Riccio. "I am confident that the Pioneers will quickly show the country that they belong among all of the outstanding programs in Conference USA."

In addition to adding Sacred Heart, Conference USA is also bringing in Nebraska and Wright State. Nebraska finished last season ranked third by the NTCA and was the lone non-CUSA program in the final four of the NCAA Tournament. Wright State ended the year ranked 21st. 

The Pioneers' storied history made them a perfect candidate to join this league. In 32 years as a program, SHU has established itself as a national stalwart. The Pios won a record six conference championships while competing in the Northeast Conference (NEC) and appeared in the NCAA Tournament nine times. 

Head Coach Becky Kregling, who has guided the team since its inception in 1993, has led SHU to 15 USBC National Championship Tournaments, including 10 straight years before the start of the NCAA Tournament. She is also a six-time NEC Coach of the Year and a two-time Eastern Intercollegiate Bowling Conference Coach of the Year. Kregling also serves as the NTCA Treasurer. 

"We feel fortunate that Conference USA accepted us to be a part of their prestigious bowling conference," said Kregling. "We will continue to uphold our team's focus on high standards to maintain our success on and off the lanes."

Sacred Heart is coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign that saw the team rank 12th in the final NTCA Poll, the second-highest ranking by an independent program. After just missing out on an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, the Pioneers went to the Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITC) in Las Vegas to play teams from all over the country. 

Make sure to check sacredheartpioneers.com for more information about the Pioneers' first season in Conference USA.