FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu
Author Jim Bowen discusses book, Bowden years at SGC
“Coach Bowden was convinced that God brought him to South
Georgia College in 1955. He never applied for a job; he was always asked to
come to every school he’s served as head coach. Dr. Smith asked him to come
to South Georgia, and Coach Bowden says that coming to South Georgia College
was the best move he ever made,” said Jim Bowen Thursday night at the
William S. Smith Library on the SGC campus.
Jim played football at SGC in 1956 and forged a life-long friendship with
his then-head coach, Bobby Bowden. That Coach Bowden began his head coaching
career in Douglas at SGC is no secret. But the details of those four years
have remained somewhat obscure.
Until now.
Jim has written an early-years biography of Coach Bowden titled Bobby
Bowden: Memories of a Legend and His Boys from South Georgia College.
The book was published in late 2008, and Jim visited Douglas on Thursday to
discuss the book and autograph copies for anyone interested in purchasing
one. The event was sponsored by the SGC Office of Advancement and the
Cultural Events Committee.
After speaking at the Exchange Club at noon and throwing out the first pitch
at the SGC Tigers’ game against Darton College that afternoon, Jim conducted
the book-signing inside the library, which bears the name of the SGC
president who asked Coach Bowden to take over the Tigers’ football program
54 years ago.
“Playing for Coach Bowden was a life-changing experience for me,” says Jim.
“Coach Bowen set an excellent example for his players, and he taught us how
to be leaders.”
In those early years, Jim says his coach led a hectic life. He was raising a
young family, and had his hands full on campus. In addition to coaching
football and holding the title of athletic director, Bowden also had to
teach classes and coach basketball and baseball. “He worked three part-time
jobs to make ends meet. He had one assistant football coach but no
assistants in the other sports,” says Jim.
Still, he won 22 games over those four years; when he departed SGC following
the 1958 football season, he had accumulated a winning record.
Since his graduation from South Georgia College, Jim has maintained a close,
personal relationship with Coach Bowden and many of his former teammates.
Jim and his wife Dell, currently live in Louisville, Kentucky.
Copies of Bobby Bowden: Memories of a Legend and His Boys from South
Georgia College are available at SGC.
Photos:
First pitch: Author Jim Bowen prepares
to throw out the first pitch Thursday afternoon against Darton College at
Crider Field as SGC starter James Hickey looks on.
Library: Jim Bowen signs a copy of
Bobby Bowden: Memories of a Legend and His Boys from South Georgia College
Thursday night at the William S. Smith Library.
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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.
