Academy Hall of Famer Jim Bowman passes away
10/13/2022 1:00:00 PM | General
Air Force Academy Athletics Hall of Famer Jim Bowman, a former coach and athletic administrator, passed away Aug. 20 in Oregon. He was 89. Services will be held Oct. 20 a the Air Force Academy Memorial Pavilion beginning at 10 a.m. There will be a reception at the Falcon Stadium Press Box immediately after.
Bowman first came to the Academy in 1958 as a physical education instructor. He was named 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 was part of the athletic staff that led the Falcons to 17 postseason bowl games. He served as associate athletic director from 1964-07. His extensive experience in all phases of intercollegiate athletics 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. Bowman was inducted into the Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009, the second class inducted.
Jim Bowman
Air Force Academy, 1958 – 2007
Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame, class of 2009
Bowman first came to the Academy in 1958 as a physical education instructor. He was named 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 was part of the athletic staff that led the Falcons to 17 postseason bowl games. He served as associate athletic director from 1964-07. His extensive experience in all phases of intercollegiate athletics 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. Bowman was inducted into the Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009, the second class inducted.
Jim Bowman
Air Force Academy, 1958 – 2007
Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame, class of 2009
- The 2007 graduating class was his 49th at the Academy
- Saw 38,797 cadets graduate
- Coached at Air Force for 18 seasons.
- Head freshman and junior varsity football coach, compiling a 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, a 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
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