Coach David Bowden
Florida Track and Field
Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony
January 7, 2011
Introduction by
Michael Levalle
Boyd Anderson '87
2011 Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame Inductee David Bowden or "Coach" as he is affectionately known, is one of Florida's All-time great High School coaches.
Coach Bowden grew up in segregated St. Petersburg, Florida, and later played Football at Fort Valley State College where he was All Conference.
Coach Bowden also played Football professionally with the Washington Redskins organization.
After moving from St Louis to Florida, Coach Bowden taught and coached briefly at Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida, before transferring to Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes where he coached and taught for 28 years..
Coach Bowden guided the "Cobras" of Boyd Anderson High School to 6 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championships in both cross-country and track and field.
Coach Bowden was selected Boyd Anderson's Teacher of the Year, elected to the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and was honored as the Coach of the Year by the Florida National High School Coaches Association.
The Miami Herald named Coach Bowden "Coach of the Year" for Track & Field 7 times, and the Sun-Sentinel named Coach Bowden as "Coach of the Year" 6 times. The New York Based "Children’s Press" wrote a book titled "Track & Field Fundamentals" about Coach Bowden and his athletes.
Coach Bowden is known as a dedicated runner and Marathoner winning his age group in numerous running events including the New York, Boston, Disney World, Royal Victoria and Montreal marathons with a personal best time of 2:45.20. Coach Bowden's personal best time in the mile is 4:33 and he is a three-time participant in the Master's Division of "The Prestigious Mercedes Mile" held on 5th Avenue in New York City.
In 1996 and 2002, Coach Bowden was a member of the Olympic Torch Relay Team.
There is an annual event in remembrance of Coach Bowden's dedication and service every January 13th to honor Coach Bowden as a Coach and Educator called the "David Bowden Day".
The Annual "David Bowden Relays" at Boyd Anderson High School in Florida are named in his honor.
