By Jennifer Roback
For the past four years, Professional Women's Bowling Association star Kelly Kulick, 44, has assisted Bryan O'Keefe in coaching Junior Team USA but on December 16, 2021, she was named the official head coach of the program. The decision comes after O'Keefe was named head coach of Team USA back in June.
Starting in 2022, the USBC Hall of Famer and USBC Silver coach will be responsible for more than two dozen Junior Team USA members and members of the developmental team.
"There are few things more special and rewarding than standing on the podium and hearing our national anthem, but helping others experience that for the first time might be one of those things," Kulick told USBC.
"I'm extremely proud of my career with Team USA, and I'm excited to continue that by helping the next generation of champions reach their dreams."
Kulick is a veteran PWBA Tour member and has been a Level 3 Master Dick Ritger coach since 1995, according to USBC, she is also the first woman to win a Professional Bowling Associate Tour title, after winning the PBA Tournament of Champions in 2010.
Earlier this year, Kulick also took home two medals at the 2021 International Bowling Federation Super World Championships in Dubai and was named co-Most Valuable Player.
"Kelly has been a huge part of Team USA's on-lane success over the last 20 years, and she has been a great influence for the Junior Team USA players through her role as an assistant coach," O'Keefe said.
"Her transition to this new opportunity is a logical next step in her career, and I know it will be seamless due to her experience as a player and coach and because of her familiarity with international competition. I respect Kelly as a competitor and as a colleague, and I know she will be a great leader for the next generation of young standouts."
Kulick's new coaching position will being at the upcoming Team USA trails event starting on January 2, 2022, in Las Vegas.