June 15, 2007

News from the Villages

Tom Bowen, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at San Jose State University speaks at SIRS luncheon at the villages

By Thom Harney
Special to the Times

“Our mission is to give our students the best opportunity to succeed. Students need something to believe in, and we are giving it to them. We are creating a new paradigm in athletics at San Jose State University."

That mission statement was included early in Tom Bowen’s talk at the SIRS, Branch 114 luncheon meeting at the Clubhouse at the Villages on Tuesday, June 5.

Bowen then went on to describe the "culture of champions" that he has been developing in the SJSU Athletic Department since he came on board in December 2004, and said, "The Culture of Champions is a unified approach to compete together. It is built on integrity, honesty, competition, and a cohesive involvement of individuals. That’s the dynamic."

Tom Bowen

He added, "We are creating a new generation of the glory days of San Jose State University athletics. It is an exciting time for me and for all of us in the athletic department to be part of this creation at this great university."

Bowen holds degrees from Notre Dame University and the University of San Francisco. His background in athletics includes positions at De La Salle High School, Saint Mary’s College of California, the University of California, Berkeley, and the San Francisco 49ers. His enthusiasm for the athletic program at San Jose State University was a sight to behold for SIRS guests.

Villager Willa Dawson speaks at the Evergreen Democratic Club at the Villages Foothill Center on June 5
Villager Willa Dawson, a Clinical Psychologist, is shown here speaking to the Evergreen Democratic Club at the Foothill Center on Tuesday, June 5. Dawson’s topic was "Urban Myths and Its Effects on Our Justice System."

—Photo by Thom Harney