District names varsity football coach
Call the Athletic Department at (518) 695-3255, ext. 2173 for more information on this story.
february 6, 2013
Schuylerville Central School District has named John
Bowen as its new varsity football coach, replacing Greg O’Connor who
stepped down after eight years leading the team. Bowen served as head
football coach for Ballston Spa Central School District from 2002 to
2012 and coach of Shenendehowa’s junior varsity football team from 1997
to 2001.
The Ballston Spa team has made it to the playoffs for the last seven
seasons. Bowen’s overall record with the team is 57 and 34.
“I am very excited for our football program and what Coach Bowen will
bring to it,” said Schuylerville Athletic Director Heath Morris.
Bowen was among five candidates who interviewed for Schuylerville’s head
coaching position. No one from within the district applied. Morris and
Schuylerville High School Principal Matthew Sickles were on the
interview team.
“Coach Bowen is passionate, energetic and extremely knowledgeable and
he’s sure to connect with our student athletes,” said Sickles. “I look
forward to having him work with our players and lead our football
program.”
Bowen is currently dean of students at Ballston Spa High School, a
position he has held since 2011. Prior to that, he was a physical
education teacher at Ballston Spa, Shenendehowa and at East Paulding
High School in Dallas, Georgia. He has a bachelor’s degree in health
fitness from Springfield College and a master’s degree in physical
education from Auburn University. He played football at Springfield and
Cortland and was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Auburn.
Bowen lives in the Schuylerville School District with his wife,
Stephanie and their three sons, Tyler, Zachary and Joshua. All three
boys are involved in youth football.
“My family and I are very excited to enter into this new phase of our
lives. I hope to foster the expectations of athletic excellence that
have been established in Schuylerville, while establishing my own
expectations, which have contributed to the successes over the last 11
years in Ballston Spa,” Bowen said.
