BALTIMORE, Md. - Morgan State University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics, Dena Freeman-Patton announced today the hiring of Michael Blakeney as the new head coach of the Morgan State women's bowling program.
 
Blakeney arrives in Baltimore with more than a decade of collegiate head coaching experience, an extensive background in player development, and a lifelong passion for the sport. 
 
"Michael Blakeney is a proven leader whose more than a decade of head coaching experience, commitment to student-athlete development, and passion for winning make him the right person to lead the Bears women's bowling program," said Freeman-Patton. "We are excited about the vision he brings and confident he will build a culture that aligns with our goals at the National Treasure."
 
Throughout his career, he has established a reputation for building competitive programs while emphasizing academic achievement, leadership, and personal growth among his student-athletes.
 
"I am very grateful to Morgan State for allowing me to lead the Morgan State Women's Bowling program," said Blakeney. "There is a large amount of history at this program, and I'm excited to begin a part of it. I can't wait to get back on the lanes to help this program grow."
 
Most recently, Blakeney spent nine seasons as the head women's bowling coach at Chestnut Hill College, where he led the NCAA Division II program to wins over several Division I teams. Prior to Chestnut Hill, he served as head women's bowling coach at Cheyney University and has coached at the high school and collegiate levels for more than two decades. 
 
"Blakeney's diverse background mixed with his knowledge of bowling from high school to professional, makes him well-rounded, and fitting to guide the Bears into the program's next chapter," said Denise Thompson, Bowling Sport Administrator and Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications & Brand Advancement. 
 
He holds a Master of Education in Sport and Recreation Administration and a bachelor's degree in Sport and Recreation Management from Temple University, along with an associate degree in Bowling Center Management from Vincennes University.
 
Blakeney has taken part in Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) regional tournaments and boasts 11 perfect games (300 pins) in his career. He is also a United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Silver Level Coach. 
 
ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master's degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.