R.T.V. Bowman
Encyclopedia
Randolph T. V. Bowman was an instructor in forge and foundry at Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina from February 1895 to April 1899, just after the college opened in 1889. He was best known for his association with college athletics, despite his own weak constitution, serving as the first baseball coach and one of the first assistant football coaches. He coached the very first intercollegiate match played at Clemson, a baseball game with Furman University
on April 24, 1896, which the Tigers lost 13–20.
Bowman died in April 1899 at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia
. He had apparently suffered from ill-health from his early years, and a tribute by President Henry Simms Hartzog noted that "Though physically unable to take any considerable part in athletics, he helped [...] by his counsel and presence." Just before his death, Bowman finished carving the commemorative plaques for Professor Henry Aubrey Strode, Clemson College's first president, and Professor W. L. McGee, now displayed in Tillman Auditorium. Bowman Field
, Clemson's "front lawn", is named in his honor: Bowman is said to have personally cleared the former sedge field of rocks and other detritus so that it could be used as an athletics ground.
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
on April 24, 1896, which the Tigers lost 13–20.
Bowman died in April 1899 at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
. He had apparently suffered from ill-health from his early years, and a tribute by President Henry Simms Hartzog noted that "Though physically unable to take any considerable part in athletics, he helped [...] by his counsel and presence." Just before his death, Bowman finished carving the commemorative plaques for Professor Henry Aubrey Strode, Clemson College's first president, and Professor W. L. McGee, now displayed in Tillman Auditorium. Bowman Field
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
, Clemson's "front lawn", is named in his honor: Bowman is said to have personally cleared the former sedge field of rocks and other detritus so that it could be used as an athletics ground.