Graham Bower, a member of the Coronado Islanders football team, is a clear-cut example of why the “student” comes first in student-athlete.
Bower, a senior this fall, is entering his fourth year on the varsity football team, and his second as a captain.
He is ambitious in sports media, taking photos for a Coronado media outlet, and has been chosen by the California Interscholastic Federation to be a member of the San Diego Section Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
And, he said he has a 4.0 grade point average.
Humble demeanor
Bower distinguishes himself by his humble demeanor and leadership qualities, according to Islanders Head Coach Kurt Hines.
“My favorite thing about Graham is he is one of the most humble, hardworking, honest kids.”
-Head football Coach Kurt Hines.
“My favorite thing about Graham is he is one of the most humble, hardworking, honest kids, ” said Hines. “His humility, his willingness, and desire to apply to teammates to help them is phenomenal. So I won’t, but I could go on forever about him because he’s just that good of a human being.”
Versatile on the gridiron
On the gridiron, Bower is a versatile and vital team member, playing quarterback and linebacker this past season, and he intends to play slot receiver and linebacker this fall.
Bower is interested in playing college football but is only considering attending schools to help his career.
“I’m looking for schools with a good film and photography program, because that’s one of my passions,” said Bower.
Bower understands the importance of finding the right fit and does not value playing at certain programs just for prestige.
“Montana State University and the University of Montana are two schools that I’m looking at that are Division I. It would be a lot of fun to play at that high level of a school, but if there’s a Division III school that I really love the area, the town and the players themselves, then I think that would be a good fit. So it all kind of depends,” said Bower.
Happiness in unconventional ways
Bower also writes for The Coronado Times and edits videos for its Instagram page.
Bower also attends his high school’s soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and basketball games to shoot and edit videos, and Bower finds happiness in unconventional ways by bringing light to fellow student-athletes.
“It really makes me happy because I can get them some exposure and have them be seen by other people.”
-Graham Bower on taking photos of other sports teams.
“Being able to write about other sports and other players,” Bower said. “It really makes me happy because I can get them some exposure and have them be seen by other people.”
As voted on by San Diego coaches, Bower was one of 16 student-athletes chosen to join the San Diego Section Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
During his first year on the committee, Bower organized a leadership conference for the San Diego student-athletes.
“Naturally gifted athlete”
“We were able to fully lead it ourselves with no adult intervention. We spoke in front of about 80 student-athletes and got to talk to them about how things are going in their schools with sportsmanship and how they can become better leaders,” said Bower.
Hines believes in Bower, calling him a “naturally gifted athlete.”
“I always kind of hesitate even when I say that because I don’t want to take away from all the countless hours that he puts in to come into the offseason workouts, to fuel his body to get some reps in running the ball or throwing the ball.”
Hines parallels this memento to Bower’s life.
“He’s a gifted young man who hasn’t let his gift, you know, fall by the wayside.”
-Hines on Bower’s abilities.
“He’s a gifted young man who hasn’t let his gift, you know, fall by the wayside,” said Hines.
