This week, Sacred Heart assistant bowling coach Steve Peloquin stops by the Coaches' Corner and describes some of his experiences at the 2006 NCAA Bowling Championships.

"Two weekends ago, I had the privilege and opportunity to attend the NCAA Women???s Bowling Championship. Along with this event is the YES program. As the assistant coach for Sacred Heart University, I volunteered to assist in the program at last year???s championships. When Tim Clark sent out information on this year???s event, I immediately volunteered my services not knowing if our team would be selected as a participant in the event as they were last season.

"The YES program is truly an outstanding program that allows bowling to be brought to the youth of America. Bowlers of today began mostly in junior programs in their youth and continue to bowl into their golden years. This program allows both boys and girls of every culture to participate. Physical size and ability are of no concern as all beginners are of the same level. Bowling is an acquired skill.

"This year I had the opportunity to bring two of our players to the clinic. This was a tremendous success! Watching the interaction of my ladies with different age groups and levels and the participants reaction to the college players was a pleasure. The closeness in age was a factor and the participants were able to relate better to the players. Questions about college life and bowling for an institution were more easily asked and answered. This setting was helpful in opening the eyes of the players to begin to understand what we as coaches / instructors go through. It was also beneficial to see these young ladies in another light, as maturing young women.

"This is a great way of giving back to the ???community.??? It shows the kids it is alright to be a smaller part of something larger and one person can make a difference. The kids who took part in the clinic can see that there are different avenues to get to college. You don???t have to be the biggest, strongest, or tallest. Bowling is the great equalizer ??? all you need is desire and perseverance. This is by far the best kept secret of the NCAA."