Arthur O'Connor was named the third coach in the history of the Adelphi University women's bowling program on Dec. 21, 2022.
2025-26 was the best season the Adelphi bowling program saw so far under O'Connor. Adelphi finished fourth in the postseason, falling in a heartbreaking semifinal match to Kutztown, but there were plenty of reasons for the Panthers to hold their heads high. The team increased its average by 12 pins per frame, improved its fill percentage by 6%, and raised its first-ball 9+ rate by 6.9%. Strike percentage went up by 4.8%, while overall spare shooting increased by 12%. There were boosts in both single-pin (4.7%) and multi-pin makeable spares (4.8%). The Panthers also reduced splits, improved 10th-frame execution, and saw a 7.4% increase in Baker doubles. O'Connor coached freshman Marissa Funk to a Second Team All-ECC Selection and Funk was named Adelphi's Female Rookie of the Year.
The 2024-25 season saw an improvement in win percentage for the Adelphi women's bowling team and included an upset win over #6 seeded Daemen in the ECC Championship. Under O'Connor's tutelage, team MVP Tiffany Wong was first in the conference in individual split conversion rate with a 26.0% while also leading the team in in fill percentage (76.8%) and single pin spare conversion rate (92%) at the ECC Championship.
In his first full season leading the Panthers in 2023-24, O'Connor managed his first All-Conference player, with Blanca Fraticelli landing on the All-ECC Third Team.
A renowned influencer in the bowling community, O'Connor has been coaching on the youth circuit since 2012.
In that time, O'Connor has built a highly-regarded network at Jib Lanes in Queens that has expanded from six youth bowlers in its infancy to over 100 children presently. He was named the USBC David Dahms Coach of the Year in 2021 for his demonstrated commitment to coaching, sportsmanship and knowledge of the organization's rules.
Additionally, O'Connor's expertise has made its way over to Maple Lanes in Rockville Centre, in his role of Director of Coaching. Appointed in 2018, O'Connor mentors Individuals and teams for bowling competitions, and helps striving high school athletes find the right college opportunities.
Now, O'Connor now makes his debut on the collegiate stage, where the Panthers advanced to the finals of the ECC Championship a season ago.
"I have always looked at Adelphi as the most prestigious bowling head coaching position in the tri-state area," O'Connor said. "I am humbled and honored to have been named the coach here at Adelphi. I look forward to guiding their team and continuing a long tradition of winning on the lanes and in the classroom".
Academically, the 'Cats have a sparkling reputation of placing among the leading bowling programs in the country in grade-point average. Back in the 2019-20 academic year, Adelphi posted the highest cumulative grade-point average in the nation at 3.82.
"We are thrilled to have Arthur join the Adelphi family. He comes with a great reputation in the bowling community for his knowledge and teaching ability," said Adelphi Director of Athletics and Campus RecreationÂ
Danny McCabe. "We are excited for him to start applying his technique with our athletes. The Adelphi University bowling program has a great tradition and we look forward to Arthur adding to that history."
O'Connor also has a vivid presence on YouTube. His "
Art of Bowling" channel has amassed over 32,000 total subscribers and three million views to-date.
O'Connor's Year-by-Year Coaching Record
| Year |
-Overall- |
-Notes- |
| W-L |
Pct. |
| 2022-23 |
4-42 |
.086 |
Named head coach on Dec. 21 |
| 2023-24 |
32-90 |
.262 |
|
| 2024-25 |
26-70 |
.271 |
|
| 2025-26 |
34-41 |
.453 |
|
| 4 Seasons |
96-243 |
.283 |
