Thiel Athletics rolls out new mobile platform The new platform for on-the-go Tomcat fans to follow is www.thielathletics.com/mobile, powered by Sidearm Sports. When users simply type thielathletics.com on a mobile browser, they will automatically be redirected to the new adaptive site. However, the URL for the mobile-specific site is www.thielathletics.com/mobile. The adaptive athletics website replaces the previous mobile site and provides access to all content created on the desktop version of thielathletics.com in an easier-to-navigate interface with touch screen menus makes it easier for fans to access live video, game recaps and box scores from their mobile devices. For fans looking to follow the Tomcats on-the-go, a variety of other social media methods are available as well. The Tomcats are on Twitter (@thielathletics), Facebook (facebook.com/TCAthletics) and Instagram (@thielathletics).
Women’s Bowling Added to Sports Roster
Women’s bowling, which will initially be a club sport for the 2014-2015 season, will become the 23rd varsity sport sponsored by Thiel in the 2015-2016 academic year, bringing the total to 11 women’s sports and 12 men’s sports. “When we began to explore adding another sport, we wanted to provide additional opportunities for female student-athletes that would also increase our compliance and commitment to Title IX,” Leipheimer said. “Women’s bowling accomplishes these goals, and it is also a cost-effective sport that continues to grow rapidly at the national level.” Since the NCAA officially offered a championship opportunity in the sport of women’s bowling in 2004, it has been one of the fastest-growing NCAA championship sports. Thiel becomes the 10th NCAA Division III institution to add women’s bowling and the 63rd school overall in the nation.
Hayes Named Cheer and Dance Coach Kristie Hayes was tapped as head cheer and dance coach in the fall 2013. Hayes arrived in Greenville after serving as the head cheerleading coach at Saint Francis University last season. In addition to her coaching duties with the Flash, she served as the assistant marketing coordinator, helping to facilitate the promotional activities taking place during Saint Francis home games. Hayes has spent the past eight years with the Universal Cheerleaders Association in Pittsburgh. While there, she served as the head instructor and trainer for the northeast region and was responsible for teaching new material, choreography and tryouts for athletes of all ages. She graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in sports management.
The NCAA conducts a National Collegiate Championship in the sport, which means that Thiel would compete against schools from all three NCAA classifications if it were to advance to the national finals. Dan McMillen ’86, men’s and women’s golf coach, will coach the new team. McMillen is no stranger to the bowling alley. Prior to playing golf professionally for 25 years, McMillen competed at the junior and high school levels. “We are thrilled to be able to offer a 23rd varsity sport, especially one that is so popular in Pennsylvania,” McMillen said. “Having recently chartered a NCAA DIII women’s golf team (in 2009), it excites me to recruit to Thiel more student-athletes who wish to compete at the collegiate level in the sport they love.” Thiel’s women’s bowling team will compete and practice at Celebrity Bowl in Greenville, Pa. The Bell • Fall 2013
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