The Crookston Pirate Athletic Department has hired Sara “Sunny” Bowman to coach the Crookston Pirate Softball team in the spring, pending school board approval. Sunny is a Red Lake Falls Lafayette High School graduate where she played Volleyball and Basketball. She also coached volleyball at Red Lake Falls 
for six years. After high school, Bowman went to Concordia College in Moorhead to play volleyball before transferring to the University of Minnesota Crookston where she played volleyball and fastpitch softball for three years at the school. Bowman is one of the top volleyball officials in northwest Minnesota and has been officiating for over 15 years and has been an official at four state volleyball tournaments.
Bowman is employed at REM North Star as a Quality Improvement Specialist and said the players can expect her to have passion and energy. “Players can expect me to bring passion and a lot of competitive energy to the field,” said Bowman. “On top of that, it is my goal to instill sportsmanship into each player, teach leadership, and to never allow a player to get complacent with their performance.”
Bowman said she expects the players to be putting some time in the weight room and getting ready for the season. “Right now, I expect players to be preparing for the softball season – getting strong and getting in shape. Athletes should be in the weight room, working out, and finding a teammate to throw the ball around with. The high school facilitates the FAST program for student-athletes, which provides an amazing opportunity for enhancing general athleticism,” said Bowman. “During the season, and always, as a member of the Pirate softball team, players will be expected to respectfully represent themselves and Crookston High School because being a student-athlete brings with it higher expectations and responsibilities. Players are expected to act as role models in the classroom, practice, during games and in the community.”
Bowman said she decided to get involved when the position was still open. “During the summer, I had heard that the softball coaching positions were open. I actually talked to Mr. Garmen about it a couple of times, and when I found that at the time of orientation for school in the fall that the positions were still open, I decided to put my money where my mouth was and get involved. I have been a coach for a number of years, and it just feels right. I feel like I am bringing some fresh eyes and a great attitude to the field,” said Bowman. “The only thing I know about the Pirate Softball team is that in recent years, they have struggled. I don’t know what players I have coming in, I don’t know who played where in the past, and I don’t know how long anyone has been playing the sport. Therefore, I don’t have any preconceived notions of what to expect. I know we have an uphill climb ahead of us, and that it’s going to be a tough climb. I also know that I’m willing to take anyone willing to work hard – and I really mean hard – up that hill with me!”
The first practice for Pirate Softball will be on Monday, March 9.
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