There is no doubt that Dick Bowers had a lasting impact on the University of South Florida, and in particular, its Athletics Department. 

Bowers was the leader that made the push for intercollegiate athletics, serving as Golf Coach and Athletic Director.  His work in establishing the Sun Belt Conference and several of our current athletic facilities created the foundation on which we exist today, that of a vibrant and growing member of the BIG EAST Conference, positioned for national prominence and success. 

The first Athletics Director to lead USF as a NCAA member, serving in that capacity from 1966 to 1982, Bowers was a member of the Physical Education Department prior to serving in the formalized role of AD from 1963-66.

Upon his resignation as AD, he served as an Associate Dean, Professor and Director of Development for the USF College of Business Administration from 1982 to his retirement in 2003. 

Bower passed away on November 29, 2007, but his legacy lives on in Green and Gold spirit.

In the Winter of 2009, USF raised a banner in the Sun Dome and recognized Bowers for his 16-plus year tenure as the school's Athletics Director. Bowers' wife, Madge, son Rick, daughter Delisa, and grandchildren Casey and Carissa were all in attendance at the ceremony honoring his legacy as a Bull.

“While I only new Mr. Bowers for a short time, I had a great amount of respect and admiration for him.  He had a tremendous amount of love and passion for USF.  Every win and success we have today is in many ways a credit to him.  He was a phenomenal individual and someone that will be greatly missed by every Bull,” USF Director of Athletics Doug Woolard said.

Joe Tomaino is the Director of Major Gifts for the Athletics Department and was a longtime friend and colleague of Bowers.

“Dick Bowers was the hero that took USF from absolutely nowhere in the community to prominence.  He's the bridge we ran across from the mid-sixties into the seventies.”

In addition to his 40 years of service to the University of South Florida, Dick served in a leadership role in many community organizations including the United Way, National Youth Sports Program, Tampa Chapter Nation Football Foundation, Hall of Fame Bowl Selection Committee, Northside Bank Board, Florida State Department of Education Task Force in Physical Education, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Tampa Sports Club, Gold Shield Foundation, Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Committee and Hispanic Business Institute.