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The St. Olaf College community is mourning the loss of Athletic Director Ryan Bowles, who passed away from cancer on June 19, 2024. 

Bowles was hired as St. Olaf’s athletic director in July 2015, and in that role he oversaw the college’s 26 varsity sports teams, as well as sports medicine, athletic performance, event management, facility management, and sports information. As a member of the President’s Leadership Team, he led a staff of over 70 full- and part-time staff members in the department, which currently includes more than 550 student-athletes.

“Ryan was a special person and leader who was a champion for Ole student-athletes, strongly supported his coaches, and had a competitive love for each and every contest. He was respected by all he came in touch with at St. Olaf and within the MIAC community,” says St. Olaf Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dan Kosmoski. “Ryan walked the talk. It was remarkable to witness his love for his family and greater Ole family, and how he lived his life and battled each and every day. He will be forever loved and missed.”

“Ryan was a special person and leader who was a champion for Ole student-athletes, strongly supported his coaches, and had a competitive love for each and every contest.”

St. Olaf Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dan Kosmoski

Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Kelly Mahlum notes that Bowles was deeply devoted to his family and Ole Athletics.

“Ryan’s love for his family was first and foremost. The passion he had for sports was shared by his family and was evident in their daily lives, and I witnessed his love for our Oles on a daily basis,” Mahlum says. “Much of what an athletic director does is behind the scenes of the practices, game days, and celebrations. I do not believe Ryan ever saw it as work — he felt it as a calling and a purpose. We will continue to honor Ryan’s imprint on Ole Athletics and share our support to uplift Ryan’s wife, Sarah, and his son, Tom.”

“Much of what an athletic director does is behind the scenes of the practices, game days, and celebrations. I do not believe Ryan ever saw it as work — he felt it as a calling and a purpose. We will continue to honor Ryan’s imprint on Ole Athletics and share our support to uplift Ryan’s wife, Sarah, and his son, Tom.”

Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Kelly Mahlum

During the nine years that Bowles led St. Olaf Athletics, 17 of St. Olaf’s 26 sports appeared in/scored in their respective national championship events. St. Olaf also finished in the top 75 of the Learfield Directors’ Cup — the national all-sport competition — four times since 2015-16.

St. Olaf won five NCAA or U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) team national championships, 13 NCAA or USCSA individual national titles, 15 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) championships, and appeared/scored in 41 NCAA Championships, highlighted by men’s soccer winning its first national championship this past December. St. Olaf’s women’s Nordic skiing team also won the last three USCSA team titles in addition to their 2018 championship. 

As committed as Bowles was to the success that St. Olaf student-athletes had while competing, he was equally committed to their success in the classroom and the careers they pursued after graduation. The college’s teams excelled academically, earning numerous academic awards, countless Academic All-MIAC accolades, and producing 10 College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans. Bowles oversaw the launch of the Ole Leadership Academy for student-athletes in partnership with the Piper Center for Vocation and Career, and supported the Academic Success Center’s development of the St. Olaf Orientation to Academics and Resources (SOAR) program.

“Ryan was a cherished friend and valued member of our senior leadership team who led with passion for athletics and a St. Olaf education. He cared deeply about the holistic student experience, celebrating academic achievements and student leadership. We mourn the loss of his wisdom, enthusiasm, and insights.”

St. Olaf President Susan Rundell Singer

Bowles was also instrumental in a number of upgrades to St. Olaf’s athletic facilities, including the installation of synthetic turf at Klein Field at Manitou, the renovation of the athletic performance facility in Porter Hall, the creation of the golf training facility, the renovation of Rolf Mellby Field, and the addition of the on-campus St. Olaf Ice Arena. The department also expanded its staffing in sports medicine, athletic performance, and sports information during his time as athletic director.

“Ryan was a cherished friend and valued member of our senior leadership team who led with passion for athletics and a St. Olaf education. He cared deeply about the holistic student experience, celebrating academic achievements and student leadership. We mourn the loss of his wisdom, enthusiasm, and insights,” says St. Olaf President Susan Rundell Singer.

Bowles came to St. Olaf from the University of Maryland, where he oversaw 11 Division I varsity sports and served on the department’s leadership team as associate athletic director for administration. He helped oversee Maryland’s transition from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to the Big Ten and was part of the Big Ten’s Sports Management Council. In previous roles at Maryland, Bowles directed the NCAA and conference championship events hosted by the university and played a leadership role in the development and rollout of a five-year strategic plan for athletics at Maryland.

A former NCAA Division III student-athlete, Bowles was a four-year letterwinner for the men’s soccer program at McDaniel College in his home state of Maryland. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McDaniel and began his career in intercollegiate athletics as the Asa S. Bushnell Intern for Championships at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) in Massachusetts.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah, and son, Tom, who live in Northfield.

The stream of his on-campus memorial service can be viewed below.