Bowen Honored By All-America Football Foundation

Tom Bowen, San Jose State University director of athletics since December 2004, will be a recipient of the General Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director Award at the All-American Football Foundation’s annual awards banquet in Las Vegas.

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This year’s event is Thursday, December 20, at the Planet Hollywood Resort.

In three years at San Jose State, Bowen overhauled the department’s infrastructure; invested resources both in external and internal operations; and expanded marketing, promotions and advertising opportunities locally, regionally and nationally. The Spartan Foundation, the department’s fund-raising component, is at unprecedented development heights, hitting a department record $1.5 million during the 2006-07 fund drive a 100 percent increase from the 2003-04 drive prior to his arrival.

Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores as measured by the NCAA have risen dramatically a 42-point increase since his installation as director. Home football attendance has averaged 15,990 the last three seasons the best three-season average at the university in 20 years and nearly 250 percent more than the 6,479 San Jose State averaged in 2004.

“With so many outstanding athletics directors throughout all NCAA divisions around the country, it is extremely flattering to be recognized by the All-American Football Foundation. This award is a reflection of the hard work and success of our student-athletes, coaches and department staff and the support we have received from the university, alumni and community the last three years,” said Bowen.

The award is named after the former University of Tennessee football coach and athletics director (1892-1962) who achieved the rank of brigadier general during World War II. The 102,038-seat Neyland Stadium, home of Tennessee Volunteer football, is named after the College Football Hall of Fame coach.

Dick Trachok, University of Nevada athletics director emeritus; Jim O’Day, University of Montana athletics director; and Peter Fields, Montana State University athletics director, are joining Bowen in Las Vegas to receive the General Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director Award.