Billy Jack Bowen named 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee
Billy Jack Bowen played baseball for two years at Grayson College in 1975 and 1976. Under Coach Dr. Allan Barker, he was a two-time All-Conference Outfielder and was drafted by both the Atlanta Braves and the Texas Rangers. Rather than choosing professional ball, he transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State University to continue his education and playing career.
In 1979, Bowen was the District Player of the Year, 1st Team All-American and Male Athlete of the Year. His Southeastern career ended with a .375 batting average, 133 hits, 28 home runs and 135 RBI.
After a successful collegiate career and obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree, Bowen was drafted by the Atlanta Braves. He played a year in the Braves organization, before trading in his baseball equipment for a whistle, and embarking on his coaching career. Bowen coached baseball and men’s and women’s basketball in his 43 year coaching career.
Bowen began coaching at Durant Middle School and Durant High School in the 1980s. After five seasons in Durant, he spent 15 years at Bokchito High School, which later consolidated into Rock Creek High School. In 1999, his last year at Rock Creek, his baseball team set the National Home Run Record with 105 home runs.
He took over head coaching duties at Silo High School in the 1999-2000 school year. When he retired in 2023 after 23 seasons, he left a lasting legacy throughout his long and storied coaching career.
Bowen is the nation’s all-time winningest coach with 2,259 wins. That total includes two undefeated seasons (34-0 in 2019 and 30-0 in 2022). He won 24 state championships, with 10 runner-up finishes and had a stretch of six consecutive spring state titles. In 2022, he was named the National Coach of the Year. Between 2014-2022, he had six seasons eclipsing at least 30 wins.
His success on the field has led to a multitude of honors off the field. In 2004, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Southeastern Oklahoma State inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2010, while he became the Bryan County Hall of Fame Inductee in 2015. Bowen is also a Southeastern Oklahoma State Distinguished Alumni Award Winner, and in 2023, was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Bowen and his wife Tammy reside in Oklahoma. Together they have three children, Justin, Courtney and Trevor, and three grandchildren, Aniston (18), Hayden (13) and Beckett (3).
Bowen will be inducted on Saturday, November 9 at 10 am. The ceremony will be held at Blue Willow Cafe in Denison. RSVP to the ceremony by Wednesday, November 6th.