ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - NC Wesleyan College Director of Athletics Aaron Denton has announced the promotion of Interim men's soccer coach Mark Bowman to the head coach position for the upcoming 2022 season. 

Bowman finished up his first season as assistant coach with the Battling Bishop men's soccer program under former coach Meir Lewin after being hired in the summer of 2021. In January of 2022, Bowman was then named Interim Head Men's Coach after coach Lewin stepped down to join a Div. I staff. 

"First off, I want to thank Mr. Denton, Dr. Duff and the entire administration for putting their faith in me and my ability to lead this program that my family and I have grown very fond of. I also want to thank my wife, Rachel, for her never-ending support in my pursuit of my dream of becoming a head coach," said Coach Bowman on the announcement of his promotion.

"I am humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to be the next coach in a line of very successful coaches and am excited for the challenge of continuing the rich history of success that this program has had. My goal as the Head Coach of NC Wesleyan Men's Soccer is to continue to recruit and develop high talent, high character young men to become great fathers, husbands, bosses, employees, and members of their community," Bowman continued.  "I am excited to continue to build relationships with our staff, faculty, administration, alumni and supporters as we continue to find opportunities to grow and impact the NC Wesleyan and Rocky Mount communities."

"Mark serves as an example of the high character type of person we want on our staff and will be a positive example for our students," commented Denton. "He communicates a clear and strong vision of excellence in academics, athletics and the community for our men's soccer program to build on the strong history of Wesleyan soccer."

Bowman came to NCWC from Div. III Randolph College (Va.) where he was the Recruiting Coordinator and Goalkeepers Coach.

Mark spent 3 seasons with Randolph College over two stints (2018-2019, Spring 2021). During that time, he helped the Wildcats improve in win percentage, retention rates, and team average GPA.

Bowman also worked as the Men's Assistant Coach at D-2 University of Mount Olive in 2020, while also serving a short time as the Men's Soccer Interim Head Coach.

Prior to his time at Mount Olive, Mark was the head coach of Appomattox County High School from 2018 to 2020. During his time on staff at Appomattox, Bowman helped the program to a VA 2A State Semi-Final.

Bowman attended Liberty University from Spring 2013 until his graduation in 2015, where he also served as a student manager for their Men's Soccer team, overseeing the development of the stats and analytics program. After graduating in 2015, he remained on Liberty's staff as a volunteer assistant through the 2016 season.

Mark played soccer for the University of Valley Forge during the 2009 and 2010 seasons before joining the staff as the goalkeeper's coach for the following two seasons.

He then spent the spring of 2012 in Guinea, West Africa as the head coach of the U-17 Boys team for F.C. Lion of Timbi Madina, while also coaching the Goalkeepers for the Men's team.