NASHVILLE, Tenn. — National Player of the Year Mabel Cummins has been hired as an assistant coach on Vanderbilt’s bowling staff head coach John Williamson announced Monday.
“This is a terrific win-win for us,” Williamson said. “Mabel will do some recruiting, alumni relations and player development. We are well aware that her primary goal is medical school in two years, but she also has a passion for bowling and she has a passion for Vanderbilt bowling. She’s young, she’s connected and she has a great reputation. Her former teammates look up to her. She’ll be a great resource for a couple of years.”
Cummins recently graduated after one of the most remarkable, all-around college experiences on record. She helped lead the Commodores to the 2023 NCAA Championship, represented the United States in international competition multiple years, was a six-time Dean’s List student in neuroscience and was a campus leader as president of the prestigious Honor Council.
“When you dedicate your life to doing something—which I’ve done since I was four or five years old—you can’t lose that love and passion for bowling,” Cummins said. “I’m really excited that Coach and [associate head coach] Josie [Barnes] are able to keep me on for another two years. It’s going to be a learning curve for me and the team, but I’ll see how the other side works.”
Cummins has long been in demand with clinics and community appearances and is eager to dig into the teaching aspects of her new role.
“My favorite part has always been coaching,” she said. “I love working with people and sharing the knowledge I’ve learned since I started competing.”
Cummins will debut as a recruiter in Indianapolis this week at the Junior Gold, the nation’s largest junior tournament, where she shined for many years as a competitor.
“Of course, I have experience of having bowled Junior Gold since I was 12 but now I’m looking forward to seeing it from the perspective of a coach and recruiter,” Cummins said.
Once that tournament concludes, both Williamson and Barnes are looking forward to tapping into Cummins’ vast experience and abilities.
“I’m eager to assist with player development,” Cummins said. “There was a lot that Josie and I worked on together—especially during tournaments—to help with lane play and things like that. This will make it easier during practices to give more one-on-one attention, which will be beneficial to their…