Article

Still Rollin' Along

After 30 years and more than 1,000 victories, Minnesota State baseball coach Dean Bowyer is still going strong.
by Tyler Buckentine
Issue date: 4/5/07 Section: Mens Sports

About four weeks ago, on March 10, the Minnesota State baseball team beat American International 10-6 to give Mavericks head coach Dean Bowyer the 1,000th win of his 35-year coaching career. Congratulate him on the achievement, he'll say thanks, but then he's quick to steer much of the credit to those around him through the years.

"It's just so neat that you can share it with everybody," Bowyer said. "It's not about me. It's about the ballplayers that played under me. You celebrate with them and your family. I even got e-mails from guys I coached in Minot that heard about it."

Before Bowyer came to MSU, he coached at Minot State where he won 74 games. In 1977, Bowyer moved Mankato. He's been ever since, coaching baseball, raising a family and changing lives.

In 31 years as coach at MSU, Bowyer has led the Mavericks to 1,010 victories, 19 conference championships, and three College World Series appearances. Bowyer's career is decorated with countless winning seasons and championship trophies, but that's not the most important thing to him.

"It's not about wins and losses. It's about treating people fairly and demanding things from them," Bowyer said. "They come here to become the best baseball player they can be and it's our job to encourage and push them.

"Make sure they have a good experience so when they leave, they realize that 'I got the most out of the ability that God gave me.'"

"Whether you agree or not, he's always going to give you his opinion," said MSU assistant head coach Matt Magers. "He's honest with them. If a guy has a bad game, he'll tell them. If they do something right, he's going to be the first one to praise them."

With the demanding schedule of a college sports coach, many would find it hard to make time for their spouse. Bowyer is able to find time for his wife, Cheri, and baseball all at once.

Baseball has always been a major part of the Bowyer family, as Cheri and their two children made frequent trips with the team.

"It takes a commitment from a spouse when you're gone all the time, but baseball has always been a part of our family," Bowyer said. "It was always our vacation going down to Texas [for baseball]. So it would either be two separate lives or you live it together and [Cheri's] always shared it with me."

One family/baseball moment Bowyer will always cherish was a 1996 game between MSU and Lindenwood College at the Metrodome, with his son, Shane, coaching against him.

"It was a highlight that his mother rooted for him and not me," Bowyer said. "Probably the neatest thing about my career was coaching Shane. Seeing how hard he worked and improved was the biggest thrill in coaching."

Under Bowyer, MSU baseball has become something like a family affair. A few of his current players are second-generation Mavericks getting the the same experience their fathers had while playing for Bowyer.

"Former players' sons are playing for him now, so that shows how well they like the program," Magers said. "His mark will also be left on the university. When people mention Dean Bowyer, it's baseball, but it's also Minnesota State University."

After the 2008 season, Bowyer will step down as head coach and hand the reigns over to Magers. Bowyer says he'll stay involved in fundraising or any other ways the program could use him.

"Whether the situation is baseball, school, or family, he's always there for them," Magers said. "31 years in one place, that's a long time to be anywhere, so his legacy will always live on."

Tyler Buckentine is the Reporter Assistant Sports Editor