Jack Bowe aces coaching for Bennie and Johnnie tennis teams

Unlike most sports teams at CSB and SJU that are separated by campus, the tennis teams have the same head coach. Head coach Jack Bowe began coaching tennis in 1985 at St. Cloud State University after he graduated.

In 1990, he transferred to St. Ben’s and coached the Bennies for seven years before switching over to the SJU team in 1998, where he has remained the last 27 years.

Last spring, Bowe was asked to be the interim head coach for CSB in addition to his coaching position at SJU. Next year will be Bowe’s 40th year coaching college tennis.

Getting to coach both teams has been a great experience for Bowe.

“It’s great synergy between the two teams, and it’s been great fun to coach both teams. Last year at CSB was particularly fun as I got to coach my daughter, Anne Bowe, in her senior year,” Bowe said.

Running two collegiate sports teams can be a stressful undertaking, but Bowe said his coaching staff makes all the difference.

Assistant coach Joe Amsberry has helped with the men’s team for the last seven years and now also helps Bowe with the women’s team. Additionally, Bowe’s wife, Tracy Bowe, serves as a volunteer assistant coach for CSB.

“Tracy played tennis for CSB, so it’s great to have her on our coaching team for the women,” Bowe said. Although scheduling practices and matches can be challenging, Bowe said the team has been very flexible.

“The plus sides of coaching both teams are the deep connection I have to both of these programs and the opportunity on both campuses to work with such great student-athletes. It’s fun to see the connections between the men’s and women’s teams and the way they support each other both on and off the court,” Bowe said. Bowe is grateful to be able to have an opportunity like this to coach both teams.

“I am always so proud of how the [Bennies and Johnnies] show up. They are consistently dedicated to their academics and balance that against a busy tennis schedule every fall and spring. They are all great competitors and demonstrate amazing sportsmanship on the court,” Bowe said.

CSB junior Greta Nesbit said Bowe is a very supportive coach who prioritizes the physical and mental wellbeing of his athletes while also pushing them to do their best.

Nesbit admires Bowe’s ability to manage the schedules for the teams.

“It is not easy to work around everybody’s school schedules on two teams for practices and matches. I also admire how differently he approaches working with men and women and adjusts his coaching style according to our needs,” Nesbit said via email.

Nesbit attributes Bowe’s ability to manage both teams to the time, dedication and commitment he puts toward coaching.

“He puts all of his energy into ensuring that we have what we need to be successful. He comes to every practice with a smile on his face and is ready to work every day,” Nesbit said.

SJU senior Will Deters said having someone like Bowe as a coach is amazing for everyone.

“Throughout the season he pushes us to improve as tennis players, yet he also allows us to prioritize our academics when need be,” Deters said.

Deters admires Bowe’s ability to handle both teams.

“Coaching the men’s and women’s teams must be a complicated task, but Jack [Bowe] has never shown any signs of distress. He does a great job of integrating both teams to the point at which I have made many life-long friends on both the women’s and men’s teams,” Deters said.

According to Deters, Bowe pushes his players to not only be the best athletes, but also the best people they can be.

“You can see it in both teams that he values our personal development and enjoyment here at CSB+SJU above all else,” Deters said.

Amsberry said working with two teams is a bigger time commitment, but the benefit outweighs this.

“The reward of getting to know more players and watch them grow and improve far exceeds the increased time commitments,” Amsberry said.

Amsberry admires the culture Bowe has created between the two teams.

“Even though the teams are separate, in a lot of ways they function as one unit. The players do a fantastic job of attending each other’s matches and providing encouragement and support to their counterparts,” Amsberry said.

According to Amsberry, coaching with Bowe has been an amazing learning experience and a great pleasure.

“He always treats players, coaches, officials and the game of tennis with the ultimate respect. Because of his leadership by example, I can proudly say that SJU and CSB players demonstrate sportsmanship to the absolute highest degree and treat each other with the ultimate respect and kindness,” Amsberry said.