Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
The bowling program has quietly entered its second decade at Davenport University. Since their inception in 2008, they have produced some very talented bowlers. One of which was Olivia Clark, who bowled for the Panthers from 2014 to 2018.
 
Olivia came to Davenport from Jackson, where she was an all-state bowler in high school, with a career average of 204. For Clark, the choice to come to DU was based on both education and the opportunity to extend her bowling career into the collegiate ranks.
 
"I went looking for competitive programs in Michigan," Clark stated. "[DU] fell within the credentials of the business program that I wanted to pursue, and academics and athletics aligned for me."
 
In four seasons with the Panthers, Clark's game average was just under 176, while knocking down 52,130 pins. Her favorite part of her experience at Davenport was the respect and recognition the team received from the university.
 
"[Looking at other programs] I appreciate more the transportation aspect, having our own team bus. Food being covered, staying at decent hotels. The fact that the school funded the sport so we could travel to compete, and get ourselves out there and the school itself."
 
After graduating from DU with a Bachelor's in Finance and Master's in Business, Clark received a job with Consumers Energy, a company that she interned for in 2018. There she works within their MISO Settlements department, but still looks towards moving up in the company.
 
"I have a three-year plan. I currently work in an advising role, and the idea is that I would like to move to a consultant role. That means I would be able to help teach new employees we hire in the future."
 
That does not mean Clark is off the lanes, though, as she just finished her first season as a coach at Concordia University Ann-Arbor, while helping out back in her hometown of Jackson. With the platform she is on, she can both teach the next wave of bowlers, while also being able to promote the game as well.
 
"It's a way to give back. I always tell people to come and watch an event to know how competitive it is. I'm really trying to promote the sport, and gain more appreciation than just throwing the ball with friends on a Friday night With the high school and youth bowlers in my hometown, we're letting them know is there is a future in college."
 
She has not hung up her own shoes yet either. Olivia still bowls in weeknight leagues, in hopes of staying fresh to take a shot at the professional ranks.
 
"I want to start doing regional events, and compete in them regularly. Once getting my feet wet there, I'd like to try in a professional tournament in the [Professional Women's Bowling Association], and test my skills against some of the best in the world."