May 19, 2021

This spring, David Bowles retired after a more than 30 year career at Recreational Sports (RecSports) – 15 of which were spent in HHP and 18 years leading the department.

Bowles came to UF at a transformational time as the university was building its first dedicated student recreation facility. During Bowles’ tenure, the student staff grew from 100 to 800 and the RecSports footprint grew significantly through additional facilities and multiple renovations, with future plans for growth currently in the works.

As alumni know, RecSports grew as a department of Student Affairs from its original home in the College of Health & Human Performance (HHP). M.B. Chaffin was director of RecSports and also a faculty member in HHP when Bowles was hired as the new fitness center director in 1989.

Several key members of the HHP faculty were key to the department and Bowles’ development including Chaffin; Patrick Bird, Ph.D., former dean; Charles S. Williams, Ed.D., former associate dean; and Jill Varnes, Ph.D., former dean; among others.

“The first dedicated center was going to be more than just a place where we rolled out the balls and people would come and pick up some weight or get on a treadmill,” said Bowles. ”We had a lifestyle appraisal center with the goal for students to be active.”

Central to the mission of RecSports has always been to advance student success, develop leaders and encourage lifelong wellness.

“Not all students want to walk into the Southwest Rec Center and pick up heavy stuff,” said Bowles. “Some never come, but they live to go to Lake Wauburg and do things out there. Our desire is for students to be active, to move, to exercise – wherever that is – whatever works for them.”

As a Virginia native, Bowles earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree at Virginia Tech. His passion for playing, refereeing and supervising intramural sports in college led him to his career.

Throughout his tenure at UF, student leaders were central to Bowles’ leadership. When asked how he’d describe his time at UF in five words, Bowles answered, “mission to serve students.”

“When I came here, it was very clear to me that to be successful at UF, you had to engage with student leaders and you had to respect the authority they had over activity and service fees,” said Bowles. “UF students were very engaged – more than a lot of other campuses.”

In honor of Bowles’ leadership, the UF Student Government created the David Bowles Outstanding Legacy Award to “honor an individual who has demonstrated dedication, purpose and perseverance in their personal and professional lives.” The annual award will be given to a graduating student or departing staff member each spring.

“David has done an amazing job at UF, transforming Student Rec to a top shelf program comparable to any in the nation,” said Michael Reid, dean. “All of us will miss his energy, commitment and tireless work ethic.”

Bowles plans to travel with his recently retired wife, a former school teacher, to visit family – making rounds to visit his family and friends in Virginia, a new granddaughter in Georgia and celebrate his son’s rescheduled wedding in Pennsylvania. He also has already set sights on a new hobby – learning to sail.

Congratulations, David! We wish you all the best in your retirement!
Share your congratulations on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

--
Comment / Like / Share - Connect with #UFHHP
FACEBOOK │ INSTAGRAM │ LINKEDIN │ TWITTER 
--

Read more HHP News >