4/25/2007 4:21:00 PM
After working in the world of wrestling for nearly 20 years, Jeff “Peanut” Bowyer still couldn’t get enough. After a five year run as the Director of Operations for the National Wrestling Coaches Association, Bowyer’s making his third career change, accepting a position as the Director of Sports Marketing for The Henson Group, replacing Dan Kilgore, who has been named as the new Director of New Product Development. The Henson Group is comprised of Brute-adidas wrestling, the company’s flagship line, along with adidas lacrosse and NeuEdge Sportswear. “We’re greatly appreciative for the work Jeff has done with us at the National Wrestling Coaches Association,” said the organization’s Executive Director Mike Moyer. “Jeff was one of the first full-time employees of the organization and he’s a big part of why our organization has grown from a volunteer-based one to one of the sport’s leaders in the advancement of wrestling, starting new programs, saving threatened ones and our proactive approach to making wrestling a leader in physical fitness.” “His leadership abilities, both as a coach at James Madison University and with us here at the NWCA, have served wrestling in its best interests and we will expect him to continue to do the same with Brute, another great wrestling company.” “I’m extremely grateful to the staff at the NWCA, not only as co-workers, but as friends,” said Bowyer. “The experience gained here in Manheim has been extremely beneficial.” “I went from a situation where I was coaching in college to being in a position where I could still work with wrestling and coordinate events,” said Bowyer. “Now, I still get to work with wrestling, but in addition, get to direct the marketing efforts and coordinate events for five to six other sports that fall under the Henson Group arena.” “I would like to thank the entire Board of Directors of the NWCA for their support of our organization over the past five years; It’s been a tremendous learning experience in terms of dealing with marketing, setting up events, dealing with visitors and conventions bureaus, just an all-around hands-on course in event management.” While the NWCA was in its fledgling stages as a non-profit organization, Bowyer wore many hats and had many titles attached to his name. As the Director of Annual Giving, Bowyer oversaw an increase of 100 percent in annual giving and helped one of his future events, the Brute-adidas Nationals, turn a profit after being a break even event. The funds generated from the Brute-adidas Nationals goes to help struggling college programs and assist in starting new opportunities for wrestlers around the nation. “The Henson Group is pleased to announce the hiring of Jeff Bowyer for the newly created posItion,” said Brute CEO John Purnell. “Jeff brings to our company a passion for sport and legendary organizational skills. In his new position, he will be able to best utilize his talents and make an immediate, positive impact on all the product ranges that fall under the Henson banner.” “Jeff will be handling marketing issues for all the company product lines – Brute and adidas wrestling, NeuEdge Sportswear and the recently added adidas lacrosse” said Purnell. Bowyer, a Phillipsburg, N.J., native and one of the top wrestlers in JMU history as an undergraduate, compiled a 112-101 record while directing the Dukes' program. His teams won Colonial Athletic Association championships in 1999 and 2000, and he was the conference coach of the year in both of those seasons. Bowyer first came to JMU in 1983, and he holds JMU records for wrestling victories as both a competitor and as a head coach. He had 125 victories while competing for the Dukes for four seasons (1983-87); he won two Eastern Regional championships; he advanced to the NCAA Championships three times; and he is a member of JMU's Sports Hall of Fame. Bowyer became JMU's head wrestling coach in 1988-89 and led the Dukes to records of .500 or better nine times, including five times in the last six seasons. Twenty-one of his wrestlers made a total of 29 appearances in the NCAA Championships, including seven individuals who competed in the national event in 2000. Bowyer's JMU teams also were successfully academically. His 1997-78 squad ranked second nationally with a team grade-point average of 3.153 in a survey conducted by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. The Dukes were third in 1996-97 and 1995-96, fourth in 1994-95 and fifth in 1993-94 and 1998-99. JMU had the only program in the nation to be ranked among the top five in each of the six seasons from 1993-99. The Dukes' program ranked 20th academically in 1999-2000 and sixth in 2000-01.
Jason Bryant
Bowyer