“I just couldn’t get away from it,” he said. “When I used my eligibility up in college, I wanted to stay involved with the program, so I decided to come back and help coach this team.”

The 2007 graduate could tell upon his return that the men’s team is a lot more experienced now than when he bowled with them.

“This year’s team, by and large, is an amazing team,” Uffman said. “They compare with some of the top teams in the country.”

His impressions proved true when the team took home a trophy last weekend, dubbing them Big Ten champions.

The men’s team finished eighth among 52 teams at the Hoosier Classic bowling tournament held Saturday and Sunday in Indianapolis. It was the first time the Hoosier Classic hosted the Big Ten event.

Karl Nickolai, the team’s coach of 22 years, said he knew the strength of his team and wasn’t surprised when it walked away with the trophy.

“I expected them to have a big performance,” Nickolai said. “To go in there and compete against the Big Ten teams was important to us.”

The men’s bowling team currently ranks No. 11 in the nation and its wins this past weekend secured their spot in March sectionals, which qualifies teams for the national tournament. The women’s bowling team will join them.

Together, brother and sister duo Michael and Katie Cabot will travel to the American Heartland Intercollegiate Bowling Conference, which will host both teams this weekend in Youngstown, Ohio. Performing well in this tournament will bring the teams one step closer to becoming conference champions.

Katie Cabot, a no-preference freshman, said there are days the tournaments can be rough, lasting six to eight hours.

Finance sophomore Michael Cabot said he enjoys sharing the experience with his little sister and he also sees it as an opportunity to keep an eye on her.

“It’s fun because I get to help her out when she’s not mad at me or when she’s not annoyed about bowling,” he said.

This being Katie Cabot’s first year away from her home in Maryland, she said she is happy that she decided to join the women’s team.

“They’re like my best friends,” Katie Cabot said.

Nickolai can relate to the students’ camaraderie. He also bowled for the MSU Intercollegiate men’s bowling team when he was a student more than 25 years ago.

“We advanced to the national championship and finished second,” he said.

Marketing junior Brian Shockley said he feels that Nickolai and Uffman are top-notch coaches.

“When you’re having a bad day, (Nickolai) always tries to put a smile on your face,” he said.

One of the best things about coaching for Nickolai is watching his players develop into well-rounded bowlers, he said.

“It’s a thrill to see them succeed and overcome hurdles,” Nickolai said.

While Adam Dee, mathematics senior and captain of the men’s team, was satisfied with last weekend’s accomplishments, he said he expects the team to move further along making it to nationals.

Shockley agreed, focusing on the next upcoming hurdle — sectionals in March.

“I think we have one of the best teams and I think we can win,” Shockley said. “As a matter of fact, I expect us to win.”