Charley Bowser

For the American football linebacker, see Charles Bowser.

Charley Bowser
Biographical details
Born(1898-11-29)November 29, 1898
Ligonier, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJuly 29, 1989(1989-07-29) (aged 90)
Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.
Playing career
1922Pittsburgh
Position(s)End, quarterback, tackle, center
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1923Grove City (assistant)
1924–1926Grove City
1927–1929Pittsburgh (assistant)
1930–1934Bowdoin
1935–1937Pittsburgh (assistant)
1939–1942Pittsburgh
Head coaching record
Overall40–47–6

Charles W. Bowser (November 29, 1898 – July 29, 1989) was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Grove City College from 1924 to 1926, at Bowdoin College from 1930 to 1934, and at the University of Pittsburgh from 1939 to 1942, compiling a career college football record of 40–47–6.[1]

Early life

Bowser was born in Ligonier, Pennsylvania and attended Johnstown High School, where he played high school football. He left high school as a senior, in April 1918, in order to enlist in the Army. From May 1918 to April 1919, he served overseas in the Ambulance Corps.[2]

In 1919, Bowser enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. That season, he played on the freshman football team under freshman coach Andy Kerr. The following year, he joined the varsity team under head coach Pop Warner, and played at end, quarterback, tackle, and center.[2] Bowser earned a varsity letter in 1922.[3] He studied business administration and was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies.[2]

Coaching career

Upon graduation from Pittsburgh, Bowser served as an assistant at Grove City College under Guy "Chalky" Williamson. After the 1923 season, Williamson left for the Pittsburgh football staff, and Bowser took over as Grove City head coach. The Grove City Crimson went 3–5–1 in his first season, but improved in the next two years. In 1925, they posted a 7–1 record, with the sole loss coming against West Virginia. The next season, Grove City finished with a perfect 7–0 mark, including a 3–0 victory against Bo McMillin's Geneva College which defeated Harvard.[2]

In 1927, Bowser returned to Pittsburgh, to aid head coach Jock Sutherland as the ends, backs, and centers mentor. In 1930, Bowser took over as the head coach of Bowdoin College, a post he held through 1934. He was replaced by Adam Walsh, former captain of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Bowser then became assistant at Pitt again in 1935, and in 1937, he was promoted to the chief assistant position.[2]

After that season, he left the coaching ranks to work as an insurance agent in Pittsburgh.[4] In 1939, Bowser returned to Pittsburgh as its head coach, and served in that position through the 1942 season. He resigned his post in January 1943 to take a commission in the United States Navy during World War II.[5] He was replaced by T formation innovator Clark Shaughnessy.[5]

Later life and death

Bowser resided in Royal Oak, Michigan during the last 13 years. He died of heart failure there on July 29, 1989.[6][7]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Grove City Crimson (Independent) (1924–1926)
1924 Grove City 3–5–1
1925 Grove City 7–1
1926 Grove City 7–0
Grove City: 17–6–1
Bowdoin Polar Bears (Independent) (1930–1934)
1930 Bowdoin 4–2–1
1931 Bowdoin 0–7
1932 Bowdoin 2–3–2
1933 Bowdoin 3–3–1
1934 Bowdoin 0–6–1
Bowdoin: 9–21–4
Pittsburgh Panthers (Independent) (1939–1942)
1939 Pittsburgh 5–4
1940 Pittsburgh 3–4–1
1941 Pittsburgh 3–6
1942 Pittsburgh 3–6
Pittsburgh: 14–20–1
Total: 40–47–6

References

  1. ^ Charles W. Bowser Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, College Football Data Warehouse, retrieved August 17, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e New Panther Coach Has Varied Career in Athletics, The Pittsburgh Press, March 21, 1939.
  3. ^ 2010 Pitt Football Media Guide Archived 2012-11-12 at the Wayback Machine (PDF), p. 178, University of Pittsburgh, 2010.
  4. ^ Bowser Hopes Shaughnessy Has Winner, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 26, 1943.
  5. ^ a b Coach Bowser Seeks Navy Commission, Daytona Beach Morning Journal, January 23, 1943.
  6. ^ "Ex-Pitt Coach Charles Bowser". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. July 31, 1989. p. 12. Retrieved December 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  7. ^ Ex-Pitt Coach Bowser Passes Away, Beaver County Times, July 30, 1989.