Lisa Bowerman (MS '08)
Texas Woman’s alum and current Gymnastics Head Coach Lisa Bowerman never expected to spend more than a decade with the Pioneer Gymnastics Team, but that mindset changed rather quickly after she joined the team in 2005.
“I originally planned to come to TWU simply to complete my master’s degree. The Exercise and Sports Nutrition program was the perfect fit for what I thought at the time would be my career,” Bowerman says. “I was offered a graduate assistantship with the gymnastics program, and within my first two weeks of coaching, I knew this would be what I would want to do for the rest of my life.”
Bowerman wasn’t new to gymnastics by any means. Her love for the sport actually began when she was quite young. After flipping around her childhood home and back yard, Bowerman’s mother enrolled her in gymnastics in hopes that learning to “flip” properly would keep her from getting hurt. This began her lifelong passion.
I was offered a graduate assistantship with the gymnastics program, and within my first two weeks of coaching, I knew this would be what I would want to do for the rest of my life.
Bowerman competed in gymnastics throughout high school and went on to earn a college scholarship to compete at Illinois State University. During her freshman season, Bowerman and her teammates advanced to the NCAA regional tournament. She also qualified twice for the NCAA regionals as an individual on beam during her sophomore and senior seasons. To this day, Bowerman holds Illinois State records for the beam and floor exercises, scoring a 9.95 on both.
Now, as a coach with back-to-back national championships behind her, Bowerman’s passion for the sport has evolved. As she watches new student-athletes come through her program each year, Bowerman strives to influence their lives the same way her coaches impacted hers.
“There is nothing I love more than seeing them succeed at something they did not think they could do and seeing them grow in their four years as a student-athlete,” Bowerman says.
When asked what she is most proud of during her time as head coach of the TWU Gymnastics team, Bowerman’s answer is simple: culture. Throughout her tenure, Bowerman has stressed to student-athletes that winning championships and being the best can be achieved through putting people first.
There is nothing I love more than seeing them succeed at something they did not think they could do and seeing them grow in their four years as a student-athlete.
“Culture is a word that is thrown around a lot these days, but to our program, it truly is something that permeates everything we do,” Bowerman says. “I understand that talent is important, and I think we have a lot of incredible talent on our team, but I believe that the most important factor in success is the people. If we have a team and staff that is committed, selfless and willing to work harder than anyone else, then we will continue to win championships, set new records and reach new heights as a program.”
Her pride for the program is evident. All it takes is a short conversation to understand exactly how much the program and her student-athletes mean to her.
“I am proud of the student-athletes who have come through this program. I am proud of the way they care for each other and for others around them. I am proud of their desire to be the best at everything they do, whether inside the gym or outside.”
I understand that talent is important, and I think we have a lot of incredible talent on our team, but I believe that the most important factor in success is the people.
TWU Gymnastics is on the road for the remainder of the season, but you can tune in to the NC State Quad Meet via livestream. Check out the TWU Gymnastics website for more information.
I am proud of the student-athletes who have come through this program. I am proud of the way they care for each other and for others around them. I am proud of their desire to be the best at everything they do, whether inside the gym or outside.
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Page last updated 10:56 AM, October 1, 2019