CLEVELAND, Ohio (Apr. 9)- Veteran Saint Vincent College head women's bowling Coach Jeff Zidek was named the National Tenpin Coaches Association National Division III Coach of the Year.

Zidek, in his ninth season as the Bearcats head coach, led Saint Vincent to a 45-4 overall record, which was the highest winning percentage (91.8%) in the entire NCAA. 

The veteran coach helped lead the Bearcats to qualify for the NCAA National Tournament for the second season in a row, while also helping the Bearcats qualify for their first-ever US Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships, one of 16 teams competing in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Zidek and the Bearcats won the AMCC Conference Tournament for the second season in a row, while earning 6 first place tournament wins, three second place, and three third place results over the course of the season as well.

The Bearcats were placed in the Pittsburgh region of the NCAA Tournament, competing against Belmont Abbey in the opening round of the tournament last Thursday. SVC suffered a 2-1 defeat in that opening round, ending their NCAA Tournament.

Late last month, Zidek earned his fourth AMCC Coach of the Year award, while helping five Bearcats land All-Conference honors.

Zidek becomes the first coach in the history of the Saint Vincent Athletic Department to be named a National Coach of the Year.

"Throughout the years, we are very appreciative of all that Jeff Zidek has provided to Saint Vincent College and our student athletes," Saint Vincent Athletic Director D.P. Harris said. "We congratulate Jeff on receiving this outstanding national award and are proud to see him recognized on a national level."