Darrell Bowie arrived to Iowa State in the summer of 2016 with two goals: provide support for an already talented Cyclone men’s basketball team, and complete coursework for his master’s degree.
Bowie’s (’23) stint with the Cyclones finished in 2017 with two NCAA Tournament games in Milwaukee, his hometown. Soon after, he signed to play professionally abroad, which he did for a few years before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.
Isolated and feeling stranded in a foreign country, reality set in. He missed his daughter, Malia, and knew basketball wasn’t going to last forever.
“COVID was a rough time, but it was kind of a blessing in disguise,” Bowie says. “I needed to come up with a plan off the court. I came home and told my mom I was going to finish my degree. She was so happy, and I always like making my mom happy. It’s the best thing I could have done.”
Bowie returned to ISU academics and earned his master’s degree in youth development through Iowa State Online. Pursuing his degree fully online offered the flexibility he needed to balance his commitments to playing basketball overseas while reconnecting with the university he had strong ties to.
“The community and fan base make this place special,” Bowie says of Iowa State.
Relationships are important to Bowie, and he uses what he learned during his graduate studies to connect with and mentor others on and off the court.
Bowie continued to play basketball professionally after graduation, and during the offseason, trained, mentored, and coached students at a high school in Chicago. After returning from China last fall, Bowie received an offer to join the high school full time as a student supervisor.
“I’m progressing and moving forward,” he says. “Working as a student supervisor is allowing me to use my degree in youth development more. I love it so far; I enjoy going to work every day.”
Bowie is seeing more athletes open up about their mental health, and wants to be a resource for his players and students if they need one.
“I want them to know they can reach out anytime, about anything,” he says.
Former coach Steve Prohm once advised him about “leaving your jersey in a better place.” It’s a principle he’s held close to his heart. For Bowie, it’s about creating a lasting impact and representing more than just oneself.
“I constantly think about my daughter and strive to be the best example for her and others,” he says.