Schools

Former USF sports chief dies

The Tennessee native was 77. He was athletic director from '66 to '83.

By REBECCA CATALANELLO and GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writers
Published November 30, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Richard "Dick" Bowers was a retired Army captain and a Fulbright lecturer. Related links Guest book: Readers share their thoughts and memories

TAMPA -- Forty-four years ago, Richard "Dick" Bowers arrived at the University of South Florida to teach physical education at the fledgling Tampa campus.

But those who knew Mr. Bowers before he died Thursday at age 77 say that what he accomplished between his 1963 arrival and 2003 retirement shaped the very fabric of the university.

As athletic director from 1966 to 1983, he helped establish the school's basketball program, he introduced soccer as the school's first sport and oversaw construction of USF's baseball field, golf course and the Sun Dome.

"He's as fine a man as I've ever met," said Eddie Cardieri, USF's baseball coach from 1986 to 2006. Mr. Bowers was a tremendous ambassador for USF, he said.

Born in Nashville, Tenn., Mr. Bowers played basketball at the University of Tennessee, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees. He met his wife, Madge, at King College in Bristol, Tenn. He received his doctorate at Vanderbilt University.

In 1963, he came to Tampa from Connecticut, where both Bowerses had been teaching. In their 48 years of marriage, she said, her husband remained the consummate "Southern gentleman," her "white knight."

Former USF president Betty Castor said Mr. Bowers artfully and quietly cultivated university athletics at a time when some feared athletics might overshadow USF's academic focus.

Mr. Bowers was also a retired Army captain and a former Fulbright lecturer in Burma. He served for 18 years as president of the The Gold Shield Foundation, which raises money for families of fallen police and firefighters.

Besides his wife, Mr. Bowers is survived by his son, Rick, a USF graduate, a daughter, Delisa, and two grandchildren, ages 8 and 11.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Terrace Oaks Chapel, 12690 N 56th St. in Temple Terrace. Services are Monday at 11 a.m. at Temple Terrace United Methodist Church, 5030 E. Busch Blvd.

[Last modified November 30, 2007, 04:14:23]