Head Women’s Bowling Coach Dorothy Neal has been appointed senior woman administrator (SWA) at Saint Augustine’s University, according to Athletic Director George Williams.
“Coach Neal is the ideal choice for this position,” Williams said. “With her 30 years of coaching experience, she will enhance the athletic department in this role.”
This is Neal’s second stint as senior woman administrator at the University. She will continue to coach bowling while serving as SWA.
An advocate for women’s sports, Neal was once the president of the CIAA bowling and softball coaches associations. She is a member of the Women Bowling Coaches Association, the Women Softball Coaches Association and the National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association.
“I would like to thank Coach Williams for the opportunity,” said Neal, who is also the University’s director of intramural sports. “It is an honor to accept the position.”
A Saint Augustine’s University graduate, Neal began her illustrious coaching career as the women’s basketball assistant from 1985 to 2000, when the Lady Falcons experienced some of their greatest successes on the hardwood. Working under head coach Bev Downing, Neal helped guide the Lady Falcons to five 20-win seasons. Neal coached 14 All-CIAA basketball players during her tenure as an assistant.
The Lady Falcons qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1992 and 1993 and led the nation in scoring in 1989 (85.1 points per game). In 1992, the Lady Falcons averaged 90.9 points per game which is the 14th-highest team scoring average in Division II history.
Neal was head softball coach at Saint Augustine’s University from 1990 to 2011. Prior to becoming head coach, Neal was an assistant softball coach for five years including 1989 when the Lady Falcons won the CIAA championship.
In women’s bowling, the Lady Falcons have regularly finished near the top of the division standings and qualified for the CIAA Championships under Neal’s direction. She coached Nicole Sciortino, a four-time All-CIAA bowler who was named the league’s most valuable bowler and rookie of the year during her career.
Neal arrived at Saint Augustine’s University as a talented student-athlete. A high school standout from Wilson, N.C., Neal played three years on the women’s basketball team. She graduated with a B.S. degree in human performance and wellness in 1985 before embarking on a coaching career.
— Office of Sports Information
