Delaware State University’s most successful athletic team will not compete anymore this season.
The DSU women’s bowling team will not conclude its 2022-23 schedule, the university announced Wednesday, due to the Feb. 23 traffic accident involving the team’s bus.
Two team members and a DSU staffer who were aboard the bus are still being treated in Virginia hospitals, DSU said.
The charter bus transporting the team to an event at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro was traveling south on Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County when it ran off the road and overturned at 11:15 a.m., according to Virginia state police. The driver, Lloyd Archer, was charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain control of a vehicle. There were 10 passengers on board in addition to the driver.
“Delaware State University is grateful for the outpouring of prayers and well wishes for our student-athletes and staff as we continue to heal during this time,” DSU athletic director Alecia Shields-Gadson said in the school’s announcement.
The Hornets, who had five top-three finishes this season in tournaments, were ranked 16th nationally in the most recent National Tenpin Coaches Association Division I Top 25 and 20th in the NCAA Ratings Percentage Index.
The early end to the season means DSU will miss the U.S. Bowling Congress, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and NCAA Regional tournaments.
Delaware State has won three MEAC championships – in 2009, 2010 and 2016 — since the MEAC began sponsoring women’s bowling in 2000. The Hornets reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in 2009.
Katie Robb became the first Delaware State athlete to win a national championship two years ago when she was U.S. Bowling Congress’ Intercollegiate Singles Championship winner.
Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com
