WATT RETURNS TO LEAD PENN STATE ALTOONA WOMEN'S BOWLING PROGRAM

Penn State Altoona athletics has announced the hiring of Toni Watt as its next head coach of the varsity women’s bowling program.

Watt, who was a three-year standout bowler for Penn State Altoona, becomes the program’s third coach since its inception as a varsity sport beginning with the 2009-2010 season.

“I am very grateful and excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Penn State Altoona women’s bowling program again, this time as a coach,” said Watt. “I had wonderful and memorable experiences during my time as a student-athlete bowling for Penn State Altoona that helped shape me into the person I am today.”

A native of Altoona, Watt attended Bishop Guilfoyle High School before graduating from Penn State Altoona with a degree in Business in 2012. At Penn State Altoona, she served as the captain of the women’s bowling team from 2009-2012, including the program’s inaugural season as a varsity sport. Watt was twice named the team’s Most Valuable Player while also picking up Academic All-American and Academic All-Conference honors. At the conclusion of the 2011-2012 academic year, she was named Penn State Altoona’s Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, one of the athletics department’s top individual awards recognizing excellence in both academics and sports.

Watt was also acknowledged for her academic prowess at Penn State Altoona by earning the President’s Award and gaining membership into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national student-athlete honor society.

“Ms. Watt was a fine example of a Penn State Altoona student-athlete during her time with the women’s bowling program. I am excited to see her now join our department as a coach, and I know that she will run a great program,” said Penn State Altoona Director of Athletics Brent Baird. “We feel it is important to support women’s athletic opportunities, as women’s bowling is an emerging sport in the NCAA and the AMCC is the first conference in Division III to feature it as a championship sport.”

In addition to her playing experience at the NCAA level, Watt has been an active bowler locally, participating in several leagues, as well as local and state tournaments, for the past 18 years. Her coaching experience includes a five-year stint as a volunteer girls’ volleyball coach at Saint Rose of Lima School in Altoona.

“I look forward to working with the returning and new players to assist them in growing as student-athletes,” Watt stated. “I am honored to help the bowling program continue to grow and be competitive, and I anticipate a great season.”

Penn State Altoona women’s bowling competes in the NCAA as part of the AMCC. The program will begin its eighth year as a varsity sport this fall.