(Walnut, CA) Longtime Mt. San Antonio College Women's Soccer Coach, Melinda Bowen, has resigned her position as head coach in order to pursue a new opportunity as coordinator of the Mt. SAC Pride Center. Bowen along with current Mt. SAC Associate Athletics Director and Associate Dean, Debbie Cavion, are the longest tenured women's soccer head coaches in Mt. SAC History, with 14 years of service each.
Bowen began her tenure at Mt. SAC in 1982, as a student-athlete and member of the women's soccer program. In 2001, she returned as an assistant coach under Cavion, after coaching stints at Rancho Cucamonga High School, Bonita High School, Cal Poly Pomona, Fullerton College and Azusa Pacific University.
After Cavion's promotion to Assistant Athletics Director, Bowen took over head coaching duties in the Spring of 2004. She was hired as a full-time Kinesiology Division Professor/Head Coach, in 2005, by legendary Hall of Fame student/athlete, coach, administrator and mentor, Deborah Blackmore.
Bowen ends her Mt. SAC coaching career with an overall winning record of 156-98-40 (.599 winning percentage). Her teams earned post-season play-off berths in 11 of their 14 seasons. During her tenure, Bowen prided herself in creating a team atmosphere that emphasized personal growth, academic success and the ultimate goal of matriculating her student-athletes on to 4-year educational institutions.
"Leading the Mt. SAC Mounties Women's Soccer Program has been such a dream," replied Bowen. "Mt. SAC has been my home and my family since 1982. My greatest honor is being a part of the many amazing young women that have come through the program. I love hearing stories from our alumni about their treasured time at Mt. SAC and how they view themselves as part of the Mountie legacy, tradition and family."
Bowen will relinquish her head coaching duties to former student-athlete and current associate head women's coach, Kristin Purper, who will serve as interim head coach. Purper played for Bowen during the 2005 and 2006 seasons and has been part of the Mountie Women's Soccer Staff since 2009.
For more information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.