BC Honors Carl Bowser with "The Carl Bowser Performance Enhancement and Training Facility"

Bakersfield, CA-Bakersfield College is pleased to announce the naming of the weight training room within the under-construction Renegade Athletic Complex.  The weight training room will be named “The Carl Bowser Performance Enhancement and Training Facility in honor of Coach Bowser.

The re-naming of the weightroom was approved by the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees on October 17, 2023.  “Coach Bowser is a true Bakersfield College football legend who has continued to be committed to the Renegades through philanthropy and support of our local athletes,” said Board President Trustee Romeo Agbalog.  “His decades extensive career at Bakersfield College, first as a physical education faculty, then as a football coach left an indelible footprint on the campus and on the many students he taught and coached throughout the years.  His commitment to Bakersfield College deserves the acknowledgment bestowed on him through the re-naming of our renovated weightroom facility.” 

Coach Bowser posted a remarkable 83-31-3 record as the BC Head Football Coach from 1984-1994. He guided the Renegades to the 1988 National Title with a Potato Bowl victory over Fullerton College. BC won six Western State Conference titles and appeared in seven Potato Bowls during Bowser’s 11 years at the helm of the Renegade football program. Bowser was named Conference Coach of the Year four times and in 1988 was named California Community College Coach of the Year. He had just one losing season as head coach. Four times he led the Renegades to 10 or more wins in a season. He began his career as an assistant coach under Gerry Collis before becoming head coach in 1984. He retired in 1996 as Athletic Director of Bakersfield College. A position he held for seven years.

Kern CCD Trustee Kay Meek spoke fondly of Coach Bowser.  “Carl is a true legend in our community.  His impact goes beyond the Renegade walls.  I feel honored to have seen his trajectory and to know that our institution and our students benefitted from his dedication and knowledge.  This honor is not bestowed lightly and is important given his contributions to our student athletes.” 

The formal announcement was met with great enthusiasm at the Renegade Athletics Hall of Fame dinner held October 19 at Luigi’s Restaurant where seven former athletes, coaches, and contributors from the 100-years of Bakersfield College Renegade athletic history were inducted.  New inductees include George Jones, David Turner, Rick Sawyer, Linzy Collins, David Dunn, Tim Painton, and the 1959 BC Football Team.

Bakersfield College Athletics Director Reggie Bolton was pleased to make the announcement.  “The community support and unity for Renegade Athletics is always amazing to see.  It was amazing to see the tremendous support from so many community leaders for the re-naming of the facility.  It is an honor bestowed on Coach Bowser that will ensure his legacy remains prominent in Bakersfield Athletics.” 

The under-construction Renegade Athletic Complex was made possible through the community support of Measure J, a $500M Bond Measure passed in 2016 that has transformed the Bakersfield College campus footprint.  The new 58,904 square foot facility includes a two-story building that is scheduled for completion in 2025.