The William Penn men’s and women’s bowling teams will be under new leadership as one individual’s strong navy and gold history will replaced by two with the same background.  Athletics Director Nik Rule is excited to announce that husband and wife alumni Cameron and Kirstin (Newberry) Foster will take the reins with Cameron leading the men’s program and Kirstin guiding the women’s squad.

“Kirstin and Cameron bring a unique energy, dedication, and perspective that will position us uniquely to continue to nurture a culture of success on and off the lanes,” Rule said.  “The WPU bowling programs are two of our most successful programs in the last decade and in the last two years have been a few of the most dedicated programs to our athletic department culture as a whole. The Fosters believe in the culture we are building here and believe strongly in how our bowling teams can continue to contribute in a way that will lead to program success, high achieving student-athletes, and the cultivating of an environment that will lead to dedicated alumni. We could not be more excited to have them on our Team.”

One of the most decorated bowlers in school history, Cameron Foster garnered five All-America awards, including collecting a first-team nod from the NAIA in 2013.  He was picked for three all-Midwest Collegiate Conference teams, headlined by being named MCC Player of the Year in both 2013 and 2014.

Cameron concluded his 295-game career (most in program history) with the highest pin average at 206.9.  He has three of the best single-season averages all-time and is tied for the highest single game ever at 297.  A member of two MCC championship squads, Cameron also led William Penn to four USBC Sectional tournaments and one USBC National tourney.

Cameron graduated from William Penn in 2014 with a degree in Business Management.

“I am honored that WPU thought of Kirstin and I to be the next successors of the program,” Cameron said.  “This program has come a long ways since its inception in 2009 and both programs have had many successes over the years.  We look to continue to build on what Coach Brooks has done over these last few seasons and look forward to what the future holds not only for us but for the program as well.”

Returning back to his home state of Utah following graduation, Cameron has competed well in numerous amateur, professional, and international events.  He has rolled multiple perfect 300 games with one coming in the 2019 US Open and another in the 2021 USBC Open Championship.

As a youth, he helped West Jordan HS to a state title and earned an All-State honor.  He posted seven perfect games as a youth and won numerous local and regional titles.

“To be a part of the program as a player in its early years to now helping the program continue to grow as a coach is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I could not be happier WPU chose us,” Cameron said.

Kirstin Foster also has enjoyed a star-studded career, beginning with numerous youth titles in her home state of Michigan. She was named to the all-Michigan team and bowled the first perfect game in the association’s history.  She owned the second-highest average in the state as well.

A 2014 graduate of William Penn with a degree in Secondary Education (Endorsement in American History/Government), Kirstin was a four-time letterwinner for the Statesmen.  She ranks second all-time with 251 career games played and sixth with a career pin average of 181.4 (high game of 278).

“I am excited for this endeavor of ours,” Kirstin said.  “Cameron and I have a passion for William Penn and for bowling, so why not combine them together?!  I am looking forward to this opportunity and excited for what the future holds for the program as well as for us.”

Kirstin helped WPU to a pair of MCC titles, four USBC Sectional appearances, and one qualification to USBC Nationals.

She was also extremely involved on campus, serving as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (now called the Association of Student-Athletes) and Phi Alpha Theta, vice president of the Student Government Association, and treasurer of Lambda Delta Phi.  Kirstin was WPU’s nominee for the NAIA’s Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character award as well.

Since graduating, Kirstin has continued to be a force on the lanes, claiming multiple titles in the Utah State Bowling Association and Great Salt Lake Bowling Association.  She has been selected to the Great Salt Lake all-city team on four occasions and is a three-time Bowler of the Year.  Kirstin, who broke the city record for single-season average (235), has earned other high finishes throughout the nation.

“I owe William Penn a lot and I am thankful that the University has chosen us to continue on with the bowling program; it feels like we are coming home,” Kirstin said.

“Our goals for the teams are to give the student-athletes a memorable experience while attending William Penn,” Cameron and Kirstin said.  “We want to help them grow on and off the lanes, putting student before athlete.  We want to help prepare them for what lies beyond college whether it be on or off the lanes.”

Brooks departs after three years at the helm, highlighted by guiding the men to qualifications in two USBC Nationals and three NAIA Nationals as well as a Heart of America Athletic Conference crown in 2021.  The women also prospered under his leadership, winning a league crown in 2019 and qualifying for a combined three national events.

Brooks helped three of his athletes to All-America honors, while 23 garnered all-Heart recognition.

“What Coach Brooks did for our bowling programs is incredible,” Rule said.  “He transformed the ethos of the program and instilled a belief in team, in WPU, and a dedication to the big picture that will make an everlasting impact on the DNA of this program.  A strong leader will always leave something better than they found it and Coach Brooks has most definitely done that.”

“My time at William Penn has been nothing short of fantastic,” Brooks said.  “The faculty, fellow coaches, and administrators have been great to work with and learn from.  It has been so fun and rewarding to lead such a great group of student-athletes the last three seasons and have former players realize their ability to coach and move into leadership roles themselves.  I will forever be grateful for my time in this role.  The program is being left in great hands and in a great position and I am excited to see what the future holds.”