Illinois Wesleyan selects Anthony Lunsford as Head Bowling coach

Posted on October 7, 2019
Illinois Wesleyan made the announcement on Monday. (Photo courtesy: Illinois Wesleyan University)

By IWU Communications/Katie Gonzales

BLOOMINGTON – Anthony Lunsford, former collegiate bowling standout at Ashford University, has been selected as the Illinois Wesleyan University bowling coach IWU Athletic Director Mike Wagner announced Monday, Oct. 7. Lunsford will be the first coach in the program’s history.

“Anthony’s experiences as a collegiate bowler and his passion for the sport,” Wagner said. “His dedication to the sport and the student-athlete experience make him a great fit for the Illinois Wesleyan family and the future of our bowling program.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to return to Illinois Wesleyan and help build this program,” Lunsford added. “Bowling has been a passion of mine for most of my life; having the chance to bring that passion to IWU is incredible and I am eager to see what we can accomplish.”

Lunsford has more than 15 years of experience with the sport of bowling, dating back to his time as a youth bowler. He served as a volunteer youth league coach from 2009 to 2013, before embarking on a collegiate career at Ashland. 

Most recently, Lunsford has competed as an adult bowler in Illinois and Iowa. Aside from his own competition, he has also mentored youth bowlers in the area and coached them in preparation for collegiate competition.

During his time at Ashland, Lunsford competed at the NAIA level and helped AU to an NAIA National Tournament appearance in 2014-15. He also led Ashland to a pair of tournament wins and a runner-up finish prior to transferring to Illinois Wesleyan.

A 2018 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, Lunsford currently resides in Bloomington, Ill.

Lunsford and the Titans will officially begin competition in the 2020-21 academic year.

IWU Communications can be reached at [email protected]. 

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