Fort Valley State University: 2011 Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - Coach David Bowden

2011 Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame Inductee David Bowden or 'Coach' as he is affectionately known, is one of Florida's All-time great High School coaches. Coach Bowden grew up in segregated St. Petersburg, Florida, and later played football at Fort Valley State University where he was All-SIAC Conference.

Coach Bowden also played football professionally with the Washington Redskins organization.

After moving from St. Louis to Florida, Coach Bowden taught and coached briefly at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida, before transferring to Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes.

Coach Bowden guided the "Cobras" of Boyd Anderson High School to six Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championships in both cross-country and track and field.

Coach Bowden was selected Boyd Anderson's Teacher of the Year, elected to the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and was honored as the Coach of the Year by the Florida National High School Coaches Association.

The Miami Herald named Coach Bowden "Coach of the Year" for Track and Field SEVEN times, and the Sun Sentinel named Coach Bowden as "Coach of the Year" six times. The New York Based "Children's Press" wrote a book called "Track and Field Fundamentals" about Coach Bowden and his athletes.


Videographer: DistancePreps

Coach Bowden is known as a dedicated runner and Marathoner winning his age group in numerous running events including the New York, Boston, Disney World, Royal Victoria and Montreal marathons with a personal best time of 2:45.20.

Coach Bowden's personal best time in the mile is 4:33 and he is a three-time participant in the Master Division of "The Prestigious Mercedes Mile" held on 5th Avenue in New York.

In 1996 and 2002 Coach Bowden was a member of the Olympic Torch Relay Team.

There is an annual event in remembrance of Coach Bowden's dedication and service every January 13th to honor Coach Bowden as a Coach and Educator affectionately called the "David Bowden Day".

The Annual David Bowden Relays (track & field meet) at Boyd Anderson High School in Florida are named in his honor.

What is 'Coach' doing now?
David Bowden, Coach, www.teammannatech.com, as everyone refers to him, has 38 + years as a Coach/Educator. A member of the Lions Club in Kailua, Kona Hawaii, David, steps to the plate and is an incredible community player. Coach of Team in Training for the Honolulu Marathon, David is passionate about inspiring and working with others to manifest their personal dreams… his 2 favorite words….it is doable and obtainable!

There is an annual event in remembrance of David every January 13 to honor David as a Coach/Educator called the David Bowden Day, and the Annual David Bowden Relays (track & field meet) at Boyd Anderson High School in Florida. David has coached at Kealakehe High on the Big Island (Hawaii)  and was a Director of Boot Camp at Kahakai Elementary (Hawaii).