Men's Soccer | September 11, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - WMUBroncos.com recently sat down with Grand Rapids, Mich., native and senior forward Anthony Bowie to reflect on his years at Western Michigan. 

A two-time Academic All-MAC honoree, Bowie has been named to the conference all-tournament team in each of the last two seasons. He currently leads the Broncos with eight points this season and was named the MAC Co-Player of the Week on Tuesday. 

WMUBroncos.com: What is a hidden gem either in Kalamazoo or on campus? This is a place you love to go to, but you don't think many other people know about it. Why do you like it so much? 
Anthony Bowie: If I had to choose one place it would be Mi Pueblo for taco Tuesday. This restaurant was recommended to me by a former teammate, Jay McIntosh. I have only been there a handful of times, but the dollar tacos are great! I have enjoyed going with former and current teammates such as Tommy Clark, Jake Rufe, Brendan Skinner and Caden Jackman. I plan to go a few more times during my last semester in Kalamazoo!

WMUBroncos.com: What's next in life after Western Michigan? 
AB: I am not sure what is next. My goal is to continue playing soccer if it is possible, but that is dependent on multiple factors during the next couple of months. If soccer is not a possibility after i graduate then I will look to use my degree and skills that I developed in college to start my career. I am also working on a business plan for my honors thesis that I would be able to start up whether I continue to play soccer or get a full-time sales position. 



WMUBroncos.com: What is your proudest academic achievement at Western Michigan? 
AB: I know that receiving my bachelor's degree a semester earlier than expected will be my proudest academic achievement at Western Michigan, but as of now being named a First Team Academic All American is my proudest academic achievement. I have always worked hard to be the best student-athlete that I can be and representing the men's soccer team the right way in the classroom. Earning that distinction was a vision that coach Tomlinson set for me after my freshman season and it was a proud moment to see it come to fruition.

WMUBroncos.com: How did you get started in soccer and what made you fall in love with your sport? 
AB: I have been playing soccer ever since I can remember.  My dad introduced me to a soccer ball as soon as I could walk. My dad was also my first coach and we never lost a game in those first few years of me playing. Those moments when I was a kid playing for my dad was when I started to fall in love with the game, but over the years I have come to appreciate many aspects of the game. I have been able to build relationships through the game with people all over the world and it has broken language barriers for me. The game has taken me all over the country and given me many unique experiences. The highs and lows that I have experienced through the game have also prepared me for the next phases of my life. The game of soccer will always hold a special place in my heart.

WMUBroncos.com: What does Western Michigan mean to you? 
AB: Western Michigan University was exactly where I was supposed to be these past three years. Words cannot even begin to describe the impact this university and the individuals I have met here have had on me. My college experience at WMU has helped me to solidify my foundation and approach to life.

WMUBroncos.com: What is a road trip memory you'll always have with you? 
AB: During my three years, I have been fortunate enough to enjoy road memories such as traveling across the country, winning a MAC championship, and defeating top 25 opponents. It is very difficult to pick just one road trip memory from my time at WMU. The best memory that I will have from the road trips at WMU is that my parents traveled to every away game. Being able to share my college soccer career with my parents at home and away games is something that I will never forget and always cherish.



WMUBroncos.com: What is one lesson Western Michigan soccer, or your teammates, have taught you that you'll carry with you long after you leave WMU? 
AB: One of the staples of the WMU men's soccer program is mental toughness. For me this was not one of my strengths coming into college, but now I can say that it will never be a weakness for me. I am continuously learning what it takes each day to be mentally tough, but if I look back at myself as a freshman, the difference between myself now and then is night and day. The mentality I bring each day to training, the classroom, and everything I do will stay with me for the rest of my life thanks to my experience in the WMU men's soccer program.

WMUBroncos.com: What do you want a team 20 years from now to look back at your career and know? 
AB: I would want people to look back at my career as a team player and see that we continuously raised the standards during my time at WMU both on and off the field. During my career we were able to win the first regular season MAC championship and post record high GPAs in the classroom. Personally, I would like to be remembered as an individual who continuously put 100% effort into everything in front of me, that I took the time to build relationships with those around me, and had an impact in the community beyond the game of soccer.

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