Everything matters.
That's the message new Clark Atlanta University head football coach
Tim Bowens gave the CAU community about what will be important for the Panther football program.
"From the way we approach the field, to how we put our clothes on, you name it," Bowens said during a rousing Welcome Rally for him in L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Monday, April 8. "We're going to pay attention to detail on every, little thing. We're going to work really hard at that, in setting the standard and making sure we are excellent."
Bowens was announced as the new Panther head football coach on March 19, coming from Georgia State University. Bowens, a former wide receiver at the University of Alabama, is a veteran Division I assistant coach who also has coached at the South Alabama, Samford, Alabama-Birmingham, and the University of Alabama
"We got him from the other Panthers from down the street and he is now here to be a part of the real Panther nation," said CAU Interim President Mauge' to applause.
With the Clark Atlanta University Mighty Marching Band playing as they would on a football Saturday and the CAU Cheerleaders keeping the crowd pepped up, Athletic Director J
Lin Dawson said that along with Bowens' vast coaching experience, he and the selection committee were most impressed by his dedication to developing campus and community leaders.
"We found somebody who had idealized influence, one who would act with integrity, one who would build trust," Dawson said. "We found somebody with individual consideration. A person who would develop, as well as coach. We found a person who believes in intellectual stimulation; someone who would encourage innovation. And then we found a person who inspires motivation by encouraging others."
That is important, said Mauge', who is a former athlete.
"Just as important as the wins and losses and the championships are to the University – and yes Coach Bowens we do like to win and we would love to have a championship – is the academic achievement and holistic development of each and every one of our CAU student athletes," she said. "Notice that the first part of that phrase is student, then athlete. That is something that we take even more seriously than we do winning games. Our students are the core at what we do."
Bowens said student development helps build a successful team.
"Our vision that we want to cast for our team is pretty simple…. We made sure that these guys not only see it every single day, but they see it in us and how we operate every single day as coaches," he said. "I can't ask them to be something that I'm not, so we're going to ask them to be disciplined, successful, significant, champions leading pursuant purpose. We're going to ask it out of them every single day.
"We're going to ask them to be very disciplined," said Bowens. "That means doing the little things right. We're going to ask them to strive towards success. That has a lot to do with the individual and them being successful and we're got help them do that. We also want them to be significant. Significant means that they also will make an impact to this university and this community. We want to make sure we are doing that.
"And we want to be champions," he said. "Champions in life. Not just on the field, but in life. If we can be champions and give you our best every single day, we believe the end result on the field will take place. We want to be leaders. We want to lead…. So we're excited to be here. We're glad to part of the family and just so humbled and ready to hit the ground running. With That being said, thank you all and go Panthers!"
