NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State athletics department announced today that former Spartan great and NSU athletics hall of famer
Thea Aspiras and longtime assistant coach
Aundray Darden will lead the NSU bowling program for the upcoming season. Aspiras will hold the title of interim head coach for the year, while Darden will serve as the associate head coach.
Both are very familiar with the program. Aspiras was an All-MEAC bowler during her time at NSU from 2010-14, and she served as an assistant coach last year under previous head coach Wilhelmenia Harrison. Darden also served as an assistant coach under Harrison for 14 seasons from 2005-19. Harrison retired following the conclusion of the 2019-20 season after spending 15 years as head coach for the program.
"I would like to thank Norfolk State University and Ms.
Melody Webb for giving me for this amazing opportunity," said Aspiras. "I would also like to give a special thanks to the two coaches who have been there for me, Coach Harrison and Coach Darden. Both are amazing individuals who have taught me how to become a great leader and have encouraged me to reach above and beyond. They have taught me the meaning of being a true Spartan: commitment, motivation, sacrifice and team.
"I am excited to coach our women's bowling team that I was once part of. I look forward to working hard with the future leaders of tomorrow and continuing the legacy of our program."
She was a four-time first-team All-MEAC honoree during her time at NSU. Aspiras was named the 2011 MEAC Rookie of the Year and a second-team All-American that same year. She also earned honorable mention All-America her junior year in 2013.
She led NSU to the MEAC title in 2012, its only conference title to date, and currently holds school records for career average (198.0) and average in a season (201.7 in 2012-13). Aspiras was inducted into the NSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019, the first bowler in school history to earn that honor.
The NSU program reached new heights during Darden's 14 seasons as an assistant coach. He helped lead its ascension that culminated in the 2012 conference title and four straight MEAC Southern Division titles from 2011-14. The Spartans reached as high as No. 10 in the national rankings and were a consistent top 20 team for several years. NSU won 72 percent of its conference games during an eight-year stretch from 2010-18 during the program's pinnacle.
