Karen Bowman  2009

 One could point to Karen Bowman’s .606 career winning percentage as evidence of her success as a coach. Further validating Karen’s achievement is her 1998 induction into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. But numbers alone do not provide justice for Karen’s body of work across the 43 teams she coached. She was known as a coach’s coach, a student of the games and teams she guided over the years. Karen always took her job seriously, and demonstrated not only a love of the game, but great respect for it as well. She always showed admiration and appreciation for the work and dedication required of athletes and coaches to perform at a higher level. In a career that dated back to 1976, Karen compiled an overall record of 496 wins, 310 losses and 13 ties while guiding Schalick’s field hockey, girls basketball, girls tennis and boys tennis teams. She led the girls basketball team to a 133 and 127 mark over 12 seasons, winning the Tri-County Conference title in 1979. As most of you know, her crowning glory on the hardwood came in 1984, when the Cougars notched the Tri-County and South Jersey Group One titles, a dream season that culminated with the state Group I triumph. Karen also established a pair of dynasties on the tennis court. Her boys teams racked up 163 wins in 12 years, with Tri-County Classic titles in 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996. The Cougars won South Jersey Group One championships in 1995 and 1996, finishing second in the state both years. In 11 years at the helm of girls tennis, Karen’s teams won 163 matches for an amazing .773 winning percentage. The Cougar girls garnered seven Classic Division titles, including six consecutive between 1992 and 1997. Karen taught for 30 years in the Pittsgrove Township School District and holds the distinction of being its first physical education teacher. In 1997, she was acknowledged as the New Jersey Teacher of the Year.

Mark Boyle   2009

One of the simplest yet most enduring lessons a coach can impart on his or her athletes, is that in sports—like life—you will experience wins and losses. Suffice to say, Mark Boyle may be a little rusty when it comes to consoling his girls track team following a setback. There certainly haven’t been many in Mark’s 18 years at the helm. The Cougars have amassed a nearly flawless record of 116 and 4 under Mark. In the process, Schalick embarked on a 97-meet winning streak that included 14 consecutive undefeated seasons. Under Mark’s guidance, the Cougars posted 16 titles, including 15 Classic Division crowns and one Diamond Division pennant. Group One sectional titles were garnered in 1996 and 2002. The Cougars took home 17 Salem County titles, including 13 straight from 1992 to 2004. Schalick won 12 Rowland Relays competitions, taking 10 straight from 1996 to 2005. Four Woodbury Relays, six West Deptford Relays and two Buena Relays crowns all add to the legend of Schalick girls track. Mark’s Cougars captured 11 individual state champions, including six by fellow Hall of Fame inductee Candyce DeLoatch. He was voted the South Jersey Track Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2002, and is a four-time Coach of the Year honoree as chosen by the Today’s Sunbeam. Mark has coached the boys and girls winter track team the past 11 years, and the program has produced five individual state champions. Mark also started the Pittsgrove Township Middle School boys and girls cross country program in 2000, and boasts 67 victories in eight seasons, with 32 straight wins. He created the Schalick Track Booster Club and established the Jack Collins Track Scholarship, which has provided more than $10,000 for college-bound athletes. In all, Mark has raised over $100,000 for Township athletes. 

Contributor 

Mike McGowan   2010

Every new school that opens its doors should be blessed with a person like Mike McGowan, and Schalick was lucky to have the real deal. Mike has worn many hats in his 30-plus years with the school, whether as a head coach or an assistant. Whenever the sports program needed someone to do the job, Mike was more than happy to lend a helping hand. 

Mike played collegiate football for Taylor University in Indiana and coached there before coming to Schalick. He guided the Cougars football team during its inaugural season, certainly a tough assignment. Mike molded the school’s young students into top-flight athletes. In addition to coaching football, he guided the indoor and outdoor track teams. Mike showed his versatility by assisting with the track and wrestling programs. His talents as a coach across several sports made him a valuable role model for athletes seeking to excel in more than one arena.

Of course, no one can forget that Mike served as the PA voice of the Schalick football team during home games. His booming voice heightened the excitement of every touchdown, each game-saving stop and every Cougar triumph.