Arkansas State University

Karen Syrocki knows Arkansas State’s bowling program inside and out. After all, she was part of Coach Chris James’ very first recruiting class. She was the young program’s first-ever senior when she graduated in 2007. Syrocki served as the team captain and bowled 76 games (most on the team) with 14,931 total pin fall her final season. She finished that year with an average of 196.46 and had a high game of 256. Named to National Tenpin Coaches Association 2005 and 2006 All-Central Region team and to the All-American honorable mention team in 2006, she was extremely active in university activities including serving as president of ASU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in 2005-2006. Karen won the team’s Leadership Award in 2006. 

She came to ASU after spending two years at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y. While there, she was selected as a NJCAA All-American and finished third in singles at the 2004 NJCAA tournament. Karen had the highest three-game series (688) at 2004 NJCAA Championships. Recently she finished second in the handicap singles division of the 2007 Arkansas State Women’s Bowling Tourny and first in the scratch all-events with a score of 2004 for nine games.

Syrocki was born in Brockport, New York. She received her degree in mathematics education from Arkansas State in 2007. In addition to coaching, she is a graduate assistant for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Student Services.