Q&A with Kingsway Regional鈥檚 bowling coach Michael Mulligan
SWEDESBORO, N.J. — A Q&A with Kingsway Regional’s girls and boys bowling coach, Michael Mulligan.
What is your background in this sport?
Michael Mulligan: In 5th grade, my school announced that there would be Saturday morning bowling at the local bowling alley. My friends organized a couple of teams and from 5th to 8th grade, we bowled in that league. In high school, I joined the team and played on varsity from freshman year to senior year. I have been coaching for 14 years at Kingsway and 2 for Gloucester Catholic ( 16 years total).
Name a person who inspired you to play/coach this sport.
Mulligan: My childhood friend鈥檚 father, Joe O鈥橞rian, was my first coach. He spent time with us on Saturday mornings teaching us about the game. My high school bowling coach, Walter 鈥淏ud鈥� Whitman, next to my father, has been one of the most important and influential people in my life. He treated all of his bowlers like his children. Long after I graduated high school, I remained in contact with Bud and his family: I was close friends with his son Brian and his daughter Beth. I would later go on to serve as an assistant to Brian on the Gloucester Catholic team. We lost Bud in December of 2013. A month later, the Kingsway boys鈥� team went on to win its first sectionals championship to advance to the state finals. I always wish I was able to share that moment with him. I like to think he was there in spirit.
Describe the most memorable games/tournaments/championships your team has won.
Mulligan: In terms of team competition, I will always remember the roller coaster feeling of the boys鈥� sectionals win in 2014. For the girls鈥� team, a huge accomplishment was winning 3 straight division titles during a time of divisional and conference change. In that time, the girls won consecutive Holiday Bowl Championships. A few of the most memorable individual moments was when Diante Fields won the Individual State Championship for Kingsway. I attribute this as the moment Kingsway bowling was put on the map. Diante was wonderful in mentoring young bowlers. From there, the team took off. Or when Katie Robb represented Kingsway in three consecutive single state championships, placing in the top 10 twice.
Describe your proudest coaching moment. I am most proud of Joshua Everwine.
Mulligan: Throughout his four years on the team, Josh, a student with a disability, went from using a ramp his freshman year to free-hand bowling by his senior year. Josh ascended to varsity for his last match as a Kingsway Dragon. Josh鈥檚 love and enthusiasm for the game and his teammates is something I often think about to this day. He is an example of hard work and perseverance.
What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from being a coach?
Mulligan: Cherish the small things- the strike from a struggling bowler, the high game or series from a bowler, the team effort in meeting a goal, and the display of sportsmanship. Even after a loss, I encourage the team to reflect on where they were struggling, what caused them to have a poor performance, and what adjustments they can make for the next match. Winning is great, but if you can鈥檛 enjoy the small victories along the way, there will be an unfulfilled hollowness in winning.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach?
Mulligan: That each bowler gained something from his or her experience on the team. It may be technique, dealing with winning and losing, how to be a teammate to others, creating a personal identity鈥�.something that later down the line each can connect back to his or her experience on the team. My dad once said to me, 鈥� When you came to me in 5th grade wanting to join the Saturday morning league, I never knew it would amount to this鈥�. Like Steve Jobs once said, 鈥� You can鈥檛 connect the dots going forward, you can only connect them going backward, and that has made all the difference.鈥�
Please share a quote with a message of advice or support for the team.
Mulligan: Thank you! Thank you for sharing your love of this sport. I wish you all the best!
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