Like many volunteers, Bison cornerback Richard Bowman doesn’t like to boast about his accomplishments. He doesn’t try to take credit for his good deeds, yet those deeds have been noticed by others.
Bowman was one of 22 players named to the 2009 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Teams. The two 11-member teams honor players that embody the true spirit of teamwork and giving back through commendable acts of kindness and community service.
Bowman, a senior in sports management, came to NDSU from Houston, Texas. During his time with the Bison, he has visited young cancer patients at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, volunteered at NDSU and North Shore High School youth football camps, organized activities for young children for Fargo Parks and Recreation and helped sandbagging efforts during the 2009 flood season. However, he doesn’t like to take credit for his work. The sandbagging, for instance, was necessary.
“I’ve been here for five years,” he said. “This town has been good to me. Why not be good to it?”
Visiting the young cancer patients was also a must for Bowman and several of his teammates. It reminded him not to take anything for granted.
“Their childhood was taken away from them like that,” he said. “It’s horrible. It happens. For us to go and visit was pretty cool.”
Bowman was shocked to be named to the Good Works Team. He is the sixth straight NDSU football player to receive the award.
“I was thankful enough just to be nominated,” he said. “It’s truly a blessing from God. I can just think about all the students and kids that were nominated for this award. I was one of the blessed ones to be chosen. I did something to represent the program how it’s supposed to be represented. It’s pretty awesome to be named with those other guys.”
Bowman had never heard of NDSU before he started getting information in the mail as a high school student. During his senior year, he came for a pre-visit in January. Although he wasn’t a fan of the cold weather, he loved the town and friendly people. A five-year scholarship also helped him make the decision to come to NDSU.
Once he finishes his last semester, Bowman plans to look into graduate school.
As a Good Works Team member, Bowman will be traveling to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl to watch the game and participate in a service project.
The Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Teams were established in 1992 by the College Football Association to recognize the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field.
