BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Illinois Wesleyan University Director of Athletics Mike Wagner announced Henry Van Bogaert as the next head coach of the IWU bowling program Monday, July 31. Van Bogaert will begin his role Tuesday, Aug. 1.
"We are very excited to have Coach Van Bogaert lead our women's bowling program," said Wagner. "We have made tremendous strides in each year of the program's existence and I believe he is the right person to take it to the next level."
"I'm excited about what this role will bring," added Van Bogaert. "This bowling program is only several years old, and I think a great foundation has been laid, and I want to continue to build on it."
Van Bogaert comes to Illinois Wesleyan from Lincoln College, where he had an extensive role in creating Lincoln's men's and women's bowling programs back in 2019. Van Bogaert served as the head coach of the programs until the institution's closure in 2022.
"I'm most excited to be back to coaching," Van Bogaert said. "I enjoyed it a lot and missed coaching when Lincoln closed. The bond you develop with the student-athletes is lifelong. I look forward to being back on the lanes, both coaching and learning from the student-athletes."
"During the interview process, Coach Van Bogaert's love of the game, experiences as a head coach, and commitment to supporting and developing his student-athletes in and out of the sport was very evident," Wagner said.
Van Bogaert prides himself on his ability to implement strategic training programs while offering individualized coaching and feedback. He has a collaborative coaching style and is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive team environment.
In the 2021-22 season, Van Bogaert led the Lincoln men's bowling team to the quarterfinals of its NAIA National Qualifier Tournament in Chesterfield, Mo. Earlier that season, Van Bogaert coached Blaine Hunt to a fourth-place finish at the Columbia 300 Western Shootout, earning Hunt All-Tournament honors.
In addition to his coaching roles, Van Bogaert has served as a firefighter and paramedic at the Naperville Fire Department since 2011. A 2019 graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Van Bogaert received his bachelor of science degree in Fire Service Management.
