FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgc.edu

Jim Bowen, author of Bobby Bowden book, coming to Douglas March 5 for book signing

It’s no secret that Florida State University coaching legend Bobby Bowden began his career at South Georgia College. However, few are familiar with the details of Bowden’s tenure at SGC. Jim Bowen, one of Coach Bowden’s players in 1956 and a personal friend, has written an early-years biography: Bobby Bowden: Memories of a Legend and His Boys from South Georgia College.

Bowen will be in Douglas on Thursday, March 5, for a book signing at the South Georgia College library from 6-8 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Office of Advancement and the SGC Cultural Events Committee.
While the country has watched Bobby Bowden’s continued success for more than 30 years, few can say that they knew the man during the earliest years of his coaching career. Even fewer can depict the struggles and setbacks on the field that could have changed Coach Bowden’s destiny to become one of America’s gridiron legends.

Author Jim Bowen found his start in the printing room of South Georgia College’s newspaper, where he worked as a member of the staff and as a sports reporter. Despite his talent and proficiency in teaming these two subjects, he would not publish his first book for nearly 50 years.

Upon graduating in June of 1957, Bowen served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force for more than 12 years, working mainly as an investigator for the Office of Special Investigations. Even while committed to his duty, Bowen still found time to write, composing short stories for several base newspapers. Over the next couple of decades, Bowen worked for the U.S. Treasury Department as a criminal investigator, and for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center as a training instructor, where he wrote and contributed to several training manuals.

Since his graduation from South Georgia College, he has maintained a close, personal relationship with Coach Bowden and many of his former teammates.

Jim Bowen, and wife Dell, currently live in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bobby Bowden: Memories of a Legend and His Boys from South Georgia College will be available at the book signing event on March 5. The public is invited to attend.
 

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.