Community Meets with Center ISD Coaching Staff

Barry Bowman (right), Center ISD Athletic Director and Head Coach, is seen speaking with Jason Mitchell (left) during the meet and greet event Thursday, July 16, 2015.July 16, 2015 (Album) - Center ISD coaches gathered at the Center High School Library to give parents the opportunity to meet with the new staff before the beginning of the new school year.

The informal event was held on the morning of Thursday, July 16, 2015 with new Athletic Director Barry Bowman and several members of his new coaching staff, with coaches from all over the district, as well as Superintendent James Hockenberry and other school staff.

Bowman gave a little history of his career for Shelby County Today. He was the head coach and athletic director at Daingerfield High School from 2008-2010; head coach and athletic director at Paris High School for a couple of years until his father became ill and he moved to Longview to care for him. During that time he has been the assistant head coach and assistance athletic director at Pine Tree High School for the past two years.

"The thing that I'm excited about is that from the time we got here as far as implementing some changes and things that we believe in, the kids have been really receptive. Our summer workouts, we've had great participation from boys and girls."

Working with 150 students, three days a week has kept the coaching staff busy during the summer. Bowman says he is blessed to have a group of youthful coaches that are full of energy and enthusiasm. He is really proud of the staff he has been able to put in place and he says they are "really good classroom teachers."

"It's not just about the athletic program it's everything, it's the academic part it's all of it. I think today is an indication that Center ISD and the community of Center is a winner, they won today with the people that we've been able to put in place. That's what I'm excited about. Whether we win two games or we win 12 games, at the end of the day it's about did we make a difference for kids."