Pull Back the Plaid Curtain on Head Men’s Soccer Coach Brandon Bowman

Get to know head men’s soccer coach Brandon Bowman in this addition of "Pull Back the Plaid Curtain!"

1. What drew you to being a coach – why the path to intercollegiate athletics?

I thought I wanted to be a high school history teacher and soccer coach. Everything changed when Bobby Kramig offered me a graduate assistant coaching position at Miami University of Ohio in 1998.

2. What is your favorite memory during your time at Carnegie Mellon?

After a rough start to the first few games as the new head coach at CMU, we were able to earn our first win at an event in Ohio. My parents were there to cheer us on to victory, and witness my first win as the head coach at CMU. They always seem to be there for important moments in my life. It was great to share that moment and enjoy the victory with the team.

3. Who has been the most influential person in your career?

Parviz Zartoshty. Parviz has an unbelievable soccer mind. I was fortunate to have been mentored by Parviz, and even luckier to have him as a friend.

4. What was sports like while you were growing up – how do you think it’s changed?

Sports were mostly local/regional when I was growing up. I think the main change in today’s sports is that competitions are now all over the country, and travel is more prevalent.

5. What is the most memorable athletic event you have witnessed / been a part of outside of Carnegie Mellon Athletics?

Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain, March 2013. I got to experience Barcelona overturn a 2-0 deficit to AC Milan in the 2013 Champions League Round of 16. The crowd was unreal, and after the match, the parties in the streets went all night. Video

6. What is one thing that no one knows about you?

I am a pretty private person. It’s difficult to get this kind of information out of me.

For other department member responses, visit Pull Back the Plaid Curtain.