January 14, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
RICK BOWDEN TO RETIRE
Rick Bowden, Assistant Executive Director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association has announced his decision to retire from the KSHSAA staff effective July 1, 2011. Mr. Bowden has been a member of the Association staff for eighteen years. During that time he was responsible for the administration of the sports of football, wrestling, baseball, softball and track and field. In addition to conducting rules meetings for officials and coaches, Bowden was primarily responsible for administration of the post season football championships, state wrestling, baseball and softball tournaments and the KSHSAA’s state championship track and field meet. Bowden assisted in all aspects of the Association's operation including school classification and legislative relations.
Prior to joining the KSHSAA staff in 1993, Bowden was a widely respected teacher and coach at Goddard High School, Wichita West High School and taught four years at the Downtown Law, Public and Social Service Magnet High School in USD #259 Wichita. During his teaching career, he was a highly regarded contest official in football, wrestling and basketball. In addition to his twenty-four year career teaching and coaching, Bowden was elected to the Kansas Legislature and served from 1985-1993 as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives. During his tenure Bowden chaired the House Education Committee and was very involved in moving key pieces of education legislation including changes to the school finance formula. In 1991 Bowden chaired the Governor’s Task Force on School Finance and represented Kansas on the Education Commission on the States.
Bowden graduated from the College of Emporia with a Bachelor’s degree in social science and earned a Masters degree in Political Science from Wichita State University. Rick and his wife Sue plan to relocate to the vicinity of Lincoln, Nebraska upon retirement and enjoy time with their two daughters, sons in law and their three granddaughters.
