Academy legend to retire this summer
4/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 19, 2007
The Air Force Academy released today that Associate Athletics Director for Recruiting Support Jim Bowman has announced his retirement, effective this summer. Bowman will be leaving after 49 seasons at the Academy.
Bowman first came to the Academy in 1958 as a physical education instructor. He was anmed the head junior varsity football coach in 1960. He led the junior varsity for four years before taking over the freshman team. Bowman coached the freshmen until 1975 when he went back to the junior varsity head post. After the 1975 season, Bowman stepped down from coaching to devote his full duties to recruiting support.
In his five seasons as the junior varsity head coach, Bowman compiled a 24-4-1 record. His 1963 and 1975 teams went undefeated. In his 11 seasons as the freshman coach, Bowman led the squad to a 37-28 mark. A 1951 graduate of Charlevoix High School in Michigan, Bowman won all-conference honors and received all-state mention as a center in 1950. After high school, Bowman attended the University of Michigan where he graduated in 1956. Bowman played three years, lettering as a senior at center for the Wolverines.
Following graduation, Bowman entered the Air Force and completed pilot training at Reese AFB, Texas, in 1957. After earning his pilot's wings, he attended B-47 transition school at McConnell AFB, Kansas.
Since his arrival at the Academy, Bowman has been a part of a Academy staff that has led the Falcons to 17 postseason bowl games. He has served as associate athletic director since 1964. His extensive experience in all phases of intercollegiate athletics has helped him contribute immensely to one of the most successful programs in the country. He is an honorary member of the Academy Association of Graduates and a lifetime member of the American Football Coaches Association. In 2001, Bowman was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 1958 Cotton Bowl team.
"I have enjoyed working for and with so many great people," Bowman said. "It has been a privilege and honor to have been part of this great program."
Jim Bowman
Air Force Academy, 1958 - 2007
- This decade marks his sixth at the Academy
- 2006-07 calendar school year marked his 49th
- The 2007 graduating class will be his 49th at the Academy
- Has seen 38,797 cadets graduate
- Coached at Air Force for 18 seasons
- Head freshman and junior varsity football coach, record of 61-32
- His 1963 and 1975 teams were undefeated
- Helped Air Force to 17 post-season bowl games
- A part of 16 Commander-in-Chief's Trophy winning teams
- Member of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, as a part of the 1958 Cotton Bowl team
- Honorary member of the Association of Graduates
- Lifetime member of the American Football Coaches Association "M" Club life member at the University of Michigan
- Oversaw 14,000 recruited athletes appointed to the Academy
- Worked with five Air Force football coaches, span covering 557 total games
- Worked with: 16 superintendents, 22 commandant of cadets, eight dean of faculty, eight athletics directors, 10 directors of admission and 120 assistant football coaches
