Salisbury, NC- Livingstone College Bowling is heading into the 2025–26 CIAA Bowling Championships as one of the conference's top contenders, securing the No. 3 seed after a breakout regular season performance. Despite being predicted to finish 7th in the CIAA Preseason Order of Finish, the Blue Bears surged past expectations with a 29–19 record and a strong .604 winning percentage.
The team posted 33,431 total pins across the season—outpacing several higher‑ranked preseason predictions and solidifying themselves as one of the CIAA's most improved programs.
The CIAA Championships will be held March 20–22 in Richmond, VA, with all eight conference teams competing in a double‑elimination format. Livingstone will open championship play at 9:00 AM at Bowlero Bowling in Mechanicsville, VA, where they will face the No. 6 seed, Elizabeth City State University, in an early first‑round showdown.
A Season of Overachievement
Livingstone entered the year labeled an underdog. Instead, the Blue Bears bowled with purpose and consistency from the opening weekend. Their .604 win percentage reflects clutch spare shooting, disciplined Baker play, and a lineup that continued to improve each outing. By season's end, Livingstone had climbed all the way to the third seed, far surpassing expectations.
2025–26 CIAA Predicted Order of Finish
- Fayetteville State University
- Virginia Union University
- Bowie State University
- Shaw University
- Elizabeth City State University
- Virginia State University
- Livingstone College (Actual finish: 3rd)
- Johnson C. Smith University
Championship Mindset
Now positioned in the top tier of the bracket, Livingstone enters Richmond with confidence and momentum. Their matchup against ECSU will be a key test, but the Blue Bears' body of work this season suggests they are fully capable of making a deep run.
With steady improvement, strong chemistry, and a renewed belief in what this team can accomplish, Livingstone College Bowling is set to make noise at the CIAA Championships.
2025-2026 Bowling Championship Bracket
