Dean Bowyer College of Business Scholarship Endowment
Dean Bowyer built a career record of 1067-527-7 in his 36 years as a collegiate baseball coach - 32 years at Minnesota State (formerly Mankato State) and four years at Minot State. At the time of his retirement from college coaching in 2008 his 1067 wins ranked fifth on the all-time NCAA Division II list.
Under Bowyer, Minnesota State baseball teams played in NCAA post-season competition 21 out of his 32 years with the Mavericks and his teams won at least 30 games in 22 out of those same 32 years. His career record with the Mavericks was 979-487-7.
Bowyer’s 32-year tenure in Mankato included a total of 22 league championships - three when Minnesota State was in the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) and 19 in the North Central. MSU made it to the NCAA post-season tournament 21 times under his guidance and three of those teams made it all the way to the NCAA Division II College World Series (1979, 1980 and 1986).
A native of Ada, Minn., Bowyer helped produce three All-America selections and many all-region and all-conference picks during his MSU career. A total of 26 MSU players coached by Bowyer were selected in the Major League Baseball draft and 46 Bowyer-produced players signed professional contracts.
Bowyer received his B.S. degree in physical education and elementary education from Mayville State in 1966 and his Master’s from MSU in 1971. Prior to working on his master’s, Bowyer coached basketball and football at Barnesville, Appleton, and Benson High Schools. Bowyer, who played professionally in the Baltimore Orioles organization for three seasons after graduating from college, was inducted into the Mayville State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984. He built a 74-51 record in four years as head coach at Minot State prior to joining MSU in 1977. Bowyer was named North Central Conference Coach of the Year 11 times during his career.
A NSIC Hall of Fame (2009) and American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2006) inductee and a recipient of the NCC Legacy Award (2008), Bowyer was inducted into the Minnesota State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. During his tenure as a coach and instructor, he established strong, lasting relationships with his players, colleagues, and the community. Family and friends established the Dean Bowyer College of Business Endowment in 2007. It is given annually to a baseball student-athlete majoring in Business.
Consider making a special gift to build the Dean Bowyer College of Business Endowment. Your gift could be an annual gift, or a one-time gift. To donate, click HERE:
Dean Bowyer College of Business Endowment Recipients
2007 and 2008: Kyle Hoover
2009 and 2010: Kosuke Hattori
2011: Danny Miller
2012: Lucas Skjefte and Nick Kaus
2013: Mike Eckhart
2014: Mike Andries
2015: Taylor Branstad and Max Waletich
2016: Taylor Branstad
2017: Mitch Bauer and Eric Peterson
2018 and 2019: Tom Imholte
2020: Jimmy Larson
2021 and 2022: Jack Zigan
2023: Nick Baker
2024: Aidan Byrne
2025: Jake Berkland
