Baseball (1978-79)
Billy Jack Bowen played baseball for Southeastern Oklahoma State from 1978-79, earning All-American honors before going to become one of the most successful high school coaches in the state of Oklahoma.
While playing for the Savages, Bowen was named Southeastern’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete in 1979, the same season he earned first team NAIA All-American honors for his work on the field.
His 1979 season is one of the best single-seasons on record, earning him three positions on Southeastern’s all-time lists, including the third best single season RBI total (84), the fourth best single-season home run total (18) and the fifth best single-season runs total (79). That year he boasted a .418 batting average with 82 hits in 62 games played.
For his career, he finished with a .375 batting average, with 133 hits, 120 runs scored, 135 RBI, 19 doubles, five triples, 28 home runs and a .693 slugging percentage.
He added four other honors for the 1979 season, earning first team all-OIC, first team NAIA all-district 9 and first team NAIA all-area 3, in addition to his Southeastern team MVP award.
Bowen followed up his playing career by moving on to a very successful coaching career.
Since taking his first coaching job in the early 1980’s, he has amassed an impressive win-loss record on the diamond, winning over 1,500 games with a winning percentage of .826.
His teams have won 12 state titles over his stints at Silo, Bokchito and Rock Creek, while making 38 state tournament appearances and earning 52 district and 36 regional championships.
He has also found success in the gym, coaching both boys and girls basketball. He owns a 170-61 record in girl’s basketball with six trips to the state tournament, while totaling a 381-166 record on the boy’s side while making four state tournament appearances.
Billy Jack Bowen, throughout his years as an athlete, coach and educator excelled to a level that brings great honor to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The University honored him with membership in the Southeastern Oklahoma State Athletics Hall of Fame on August 28, 2010.
