Berit served as a student-athlete and student assistant coach for the bowling program at Adelphi

RINDGE, N.H. (July 31, 2013) – Franklin Pierce University Director of Athletics Bruce Kirsh announced on Wednesday that Kim Berit has been named the head coach of the newly-created Franklin Pierce women’s bowling program. Berit will begin her duties in Rindge on Sept. 1, and will spend the entire 2013-14 school year recruiting a full roster of female student-athletes to compete for the program. The Ravens will begin intercollegiate varsity competition in the 2014-15 season.

“We are very excited to name Kim Berit as the first head coach in the program’s history,” Kirsh said. “Kim had an impressive collegiate career, both in athletics and academics. She has a passion for the sport of bowling, and will serve as a strong leader for the female bowlers that will be coming to Franklin Pierce over the next few years. I look forward to working with her, and seeing the program grow under her guidance.”

Berit bowled for Adelphi University during her collegiate career (2008-12), and was one of the top academic performers in the sport at the national level as she was a four-time NTCA Academic All-American. She was also presented with the Northeast Conference (NEC) Commissioners Award for Academic Excellence during each of her four years.

Various injuries impacted Berit’s playing career in college, but it did not thwart her attempt to help the program and head coach Robert Cincotta. Berit worked as a student assistant coach, meeting with prospective recruits, and managing the program’s multimedia initiatives (including social media sites, highlight videos & live streaming of tournaments online). Her efforts in helping the program were vital as the Panthers eventually claimed the 2012 ECAC Bowling Invitational.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity Franklin Pierce University has given me to build its brand new bowling program,” Berit said. “The sport of collegiate bowling is continuing to grow, which is exciting as it provides more opportunities for high school bowlers to continue their careers. I believe we can build a quality program here at Franklin Pierce, which will give student-athletes not just the opportunity to bowl, but also to receive a terrific education as well.”

Berit graduated from Adelphi in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a minor in communications. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in sports business from New York University, and is also working in the ticket office of the New York Yankees.

“Being a part of the Adelphi bowling program will benefit me moving into this new position,” Berit said. “Adelphi grew from a young program to one of the top teams in the northeast during my four years, so I understand the time and commitment it takes to build a program. I’m very proud of what we were able to accomplish at Adelphi, and I believe with the same hard work and determination Franklin Pierce can build its bowling program into a competitive one as well.”

For more information on Franklin Pierce women’s bowling, please visit the team’s page at http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.) To follow the program even further, please visit Franklin Pierce Athletics on YouTube (www.youtube.com/FranklinPierceSports), Twitter (www.twitter.com/FPUathletics), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens).