THE COLLEGES : Chapman’s Bowman Named to Cal State Fullerton Fund-Raising Post

Chapman College Athletic Director Walt Bowman was named the executive director of the Titan Athletic Foundation at Cal State Fullerton Tuesday, Fullerton Athletic Director Ed Carroll announced.

Bowman, who has been Chapman athletic director for nine years, also will hold the title of associate athletic director for development.

Bowman will be responsible for fund raising for the foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial aid for student-athletes at Fullerton.

“This is an exciting time for Cal State Fullerton athletics,” Carroll said. “We’ve built our program with quality people, and we’re now adding another qualified person.”

Bowman becomes the sixth person to head the foundation since 1980, which doesn’t include the two times that the college’s athletic director acted as the foundation’s chief.

None of the previous foundation directors lasted more than two years.

Bowman, who signed a three-year contract, said he will give the position continuity it has lacked in recent years.

Carroll said that he hopes the foundation will be in the position to raise $1 million per year within three to four years. This year’s goal is about $600,000.

Bowman, 46, will remain at Chapman until his contract expires in June.

However, he will assist interim foundation director John Rebenstorf with this year’s fund drive, which begins April 19 and ends June 7.

“Many of the events are held in the evening, so I imagine I will be involved,” Bowman said. “What I learn will put me in a much better position next year.”

Bowman said he already has plans for next year’s drive. He said he wants to increase the donations through stronger community support.

“We’re in one of the greatest entrepreneur areas,” Bowman said. “There are 2 1/2 million people here. If we can get 500 to donate $1,000 each, that’s $500,000. We still need the $25, $50 and $100 donations. But we’re also looking for larger donations.”

As associate athletic director for development, Bowman will be involved in the athletic department’s decision-making process.

“We plan to get Walt’s input on everything and use his expertise,” Carroll said.

A little more than a month ago, Bowman said it had been a year of “turmoil and transition” at Chapman.

In January, school officials eliminated six sports--men’s and women’s cross-country, women’s tennis, men’s volleyball and men’s and women’s track and field--as cost-cutting measures.

Also during the last year, the Panther athletic department has had to fill six positions. Three positions remain vacant, not including Bowman’s. School officials are still looking for a women’s basketball coach, softball coach and sports information director.

“Before my contract expires, we will have filled those positions,” Bowman said.

Chapman officials will likely conduct a national search for that successor, although Acting President Jim Doti was unavailable for comment.

However, three possible replacements are already employed in the Chapman athletic department, Bowman said. They are Mike Weathers and Penny Brush, associate athletic directors, and Bob Boyd, the men’s basketball coach who served as an associate athletic director at USC in 1979.

“I will help to make it a smooth transition for my successor, whoever that might be,” Bowman said.