TURLOCK – Jim Bowen, who built the California State University, Stanislaus baseball program to greatness during a 25-year coaching career and led the Warriors to a pair of national championships, died at his home early this morning (Dec. 10) after a long illness.
A member of the CSU Stanislaus Physical Education Department and Athletics faculty from 1970 until his retirement in 2007 and coach from 1971-96, Jim coached the Warrior baseball team through its early glory days that included two national titles. In addition to his distinguished 38-year PE Department teaching career at CSU Stanislaus, Bowen guided the Warrior baseball teams to consecutive national championships in 1976 and 1977 and compiled a 639-585 record during his 25 years as head coach.
“Our University has lost one of its truly great Warriors in Dr. Jim Bowen,” CSU Stanislaus President Ham Shirvani said. “He was a mentor to so many students and athletes and a great role model who had wonderful enthusiasm and passion for coaching and teaching.”
Bowen’s Warrior teams advanced to the NCAA post-season playoffs nine times and to the NCAA Division III World Series eight times. He was inducted into the Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999, and the University of Northern Iowa Hall of Excellence in 2006. Bowen was named head coach of the U.S. Baseball Federation team that played in Venezuela in 1980 after serving the previous year as assistant coach of the team that competed in Seoul, Korea.
On the academic side, Bowen served as Chair of the Department of Physical Education and taught a number of classes.
“Warriors everywhere mourn the loss of a great coach, teacher, and leader of men,” CSU Stanislaus Director of Athletics Dr. Milton Richards said. “Jim Bowen represented all that is good about CSU Stanislaus and we in the Warrior family extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Bowen is survived by his wife, Cherie; daughters Michelle and Kimberly; son, Steven; and four grandchildren.
A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he played on a state champion high school baseball team, Bowen coached high school baseball for five years and served as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa before coming to CSU Stanislaus to build the baseball program. He earned his master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Iowa and bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Turlock, with a reception to follow at CSU Stanislaus.