Montreal, Quebec----Wingate University defensive end John Bowman (Rockingham, N.C./Richmond Senior HS) will have an extra package under his Christmas tree this holiday season, thanks to the fact his Montreal Alouettes won the 98th Grey Cup over the Saskatchewan Roughriders last month. The championship ring under Bowman’s Christmas tree will be his second, as the Alouettes won last year’s title as well.

Bowman has been playing for the Alouettes for five seasons. “The city of Montreal is very festive…a melting pot of nationalities,” Bowman says. “As I child growing up in the states…we didn’t learn much about Canada. They do have summer up here…and we don’t live in igloos.”

The two championships don’t have much in common from Bowman’s perspective. “The 2010 championship is very different from last year’s (title),” Bowman says. “Last year, we were 15-3 and we knew we were the best team in the league, so we scared every team. This year, we were 12-6 and it was harder because teams brought their “A” game every night.”

Bowman will cherish this title. “This year was sweeter, because of the lack of respect that we received from opposing teams,” Bowman says. “We felt like everybody was pulling for every team (except us), so we took every game more personally.”

For the second year in a row, Bowman made the East Division All-Star team. He was second in the CFL in quarterback sacks. “It was cool to make the All-Star team,” Bowman says. “Playing (professional football) is sweet…you make so many memories in the locker room and on the field.”

Bowman will spend part of his off-season making memories for children. “I will spend time with my family for Christmas and New Year’s,” Bowman says. “After the holidays, I will go back to Montreal to work with grade school students. The Alouettes have a great program in which we go and talk to the kids and try to help them make wise decisions.”

The off-season is a short one, but Bowman is ready to get back to work. “Football is a year-round thing,” Bowman says. “We will get back in the gym in February. I might go to the Bahamas in April to take a break.”

Wingate head coach Joe Reich believes Bowman’s good fortunes can be linked to his work ethic. “John Bowman is a great representative for our program,” Reich says. “He is one of the hardest workers we ever had. He is one of the best motor guys we’ve ever had. We are all excited and proud to see his continued success.”

Bowman was proud of the 2010 Bulldogs. “Coach Reich deserves this (success),” Bowman says. “I know he and his staff of coaches worked their butts off for those kids. I am so happy for them. I wish they would’ve kept it going, so I could’ve made it to a game.”

Wingate’s historic 2010 season gave Bowman locker room bragging rights as well. “I am so proud of them because they represent me,” Bowman says. “Also, I get to brag about (NCAA Division II) football when I’m with my teammates who attended Florida State, Florida and Kentucky.”

“No matter where I go our or however my life shapes out to be after football, I will always be a Bulldog,” Bowman says. “I wouldn’t change that for anything.”

JOHN BOWMAN

As a Wingate senior, Bowman received All-South Atlantic Conference honors in 2003. His senior campaign, he recorded 66 total tackles, 45 solo tackles, 21 assists, 17 tackles for loss (-88), 15 quarterback sacks (-80), two forced fumbles, two pass break-ups.

The same year, Bowman was ranked fourth in the NCAA in pass sacks (1.2), 31st in tackles for loss (1.5). For his career, he played in 38 games with 142 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three pass break-ups.

Following his Bulldog career, Bowman signed with the af2 Daytona Beach Hawgs in 2005. The next year, he signed with AIFL Rome Renegades. He left the Renegades in June, 2006 to sign with the Alouettes.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private comprehensive university with more than 2,300 students on two campuses in Wingate and Matthews, North Carolina. The university offers 32 undergraduate majors, 36 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, physician assistant studies and sports administration and doctorates in pharmacy and education.

Wingate students gain the tools and support they need to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. The campus community offers in-class learning, out-of-class experiences, strong mentors, a competitive yet caring environment and rewarding community service opportunities for a complete educational experience.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past four years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 38 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 47 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.

(Special thanks to Montreal Alouettes Marketing and Media Coordinator Eric Forest for his help with this story.)