PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville has hired a new director of bowling and women's bowling coach, and the new hire has an impressive resume.
 
Amber Griffin will bring three national championships to her new position.
 
Coach Griffin is the third women's bowling coach since the program started in 2001, and the second director of bowling in school history.
 
I am truly excited for the opportunity to continue the legacy of the UPike program," said Griffin. "It is a storied program and I can't wait to get there and learn all the ins and outs. 
 
"I'm excited to get to continue my passion at a university that holds such high regard to the program and contribute everything I can do win some championships."
 
Griffin was named head coach at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where she guided the Lumberjacks to three national championships. They claimed the NCAA title in both 2016 and 2019 and won the Intercollegiate Team Championships in 2022.
 
In addition, she guided SFA to NCAA runners-up finishes in 2015 and 2022.
 
Prior to her time at SFA, Griffin was the head bowling coach at her alma mater, Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she coached for four seasons beginning in 2007. She led the Warhawks to two ITC appearances.
 
"The student-athlete experience has been the upmost important part of my job over the last eighteen years," said Griffin. "While my primary focus was on my program, I have also assisted our family bowling center business remotely."
 
As an undergraduate, Griffin helped start the program at Wisconsin-Whitewater, helping them to immediate success, winning three Wisconsin Collegiate Bowling Conference championships in her career.
 
Griffin will take over a program accustomed to success. The Bears have missed the ITCs only once since the inception of the program in the 2001-02 season and claimed the national championship in both 2004 and 2008.
 
The Bears have won three NAIA titles as well.