Dear John,
The January 30, 2010 edition of THE TABLET, the Newspaper for the Brooklyn Diocese has an an article on page 22, about Brother’s role as Coordinator of Academic Achievement for Athletics and Scholarships” at Manhattan. Since he has been in that position (16 years), at least 50% of the athletes had a GPA of 3.0 or better each year.
I have a copy if you need it.
Mike
[JR: THE TABLET issue is off-line]
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THE BROOKLYN TABLET JANUARY 30, 2010
GOOD SPORTS
By Bernie Belgane
For Bro. Frank, Sports and Academics Go Together
Fifty years working at the same place might indicate the retirement is near. Not as far as Brother Francis Bowers, F.S.C. is concerned.
And while our friend – we grew up together in St. Teresa’s parish, Woodside, and played C.Y.O. basketball – is no longer in the classroom, he still has the interest of students at heart.
That is why four years ago he became an advisor for at-risk students in the School of Arts at Manhattan College.
“I have enjoyed every minute here,” explained Brother Frank, who began teaching English and Literature at the College in the Riverdale section of the Bronx in 1959. “ I love teaching,”
“Three years after being assigned here, I became chair of both the undergraduate and graduate divisions of the English Department.”
Brother Frank held that position for 10 years before deciding to return to the classroom.
He later applied for a leave of study and traveled to Oxford University, England, where he stayed for six months to research literary criticism and prepare for upcoming courses.
Around the same time, May of 1980, to be specific, a sad turn of events took place. Brother Patrick McGarry, F.S.C., Manhattan’s vice-president and Provost, died.
Returning to Riverdale, Brother Frank agreed to postpone teaching and became acting provost. That turned into a five-year assignment.
He did return to the classroom in 1985, and not long after that became the first coordinator of academic achievement for athletics and scholarships.
In his 16 years in that role at least 50% of the athletes had a GPA of 3.0 or better each year.
“I was always interested in athletics,” he continued. I ran the hills in Riverdale and played both baseball and basketball.”
Brother Frank competed in both sports at Cathedral H.S., and prior to coming to Manhattan, taught at several High Schools and also coached track teams.
Once at the Riverdale campus, he helped improve that athletics program by increasing financial aid, adding a sports information director and helping the Jaspers – women and men – become more competitive.
So much so that in 1973 Manhattan won the national indoor track and field titles.
Brother Frank’s efforts were starting to pay dividends — and have been ever since.
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[JR: These are the men and women that make MC a jewel. Or rather a "foundry" of strong men and women. I'm always impressed with the accomplishments of my fellow alums. I'm just the humble recorder. But then what would one expect of a low index injineer.]
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