Review: Tommy Bowman: Answering the Call

Tommy Bowman: Answering the Call

By Chad S. Conine (Big Bear Books /Baylor University Press)

The cover of Tommy Bowman: Answering the Call contains a black and white action photo of a tall Black player in mid-jump shot surrounded by a sea of white faces on the court and off. The picture could have been taken at many colleges in the late 1960s. Only the green and gold title hints at the place where fans from 1966-1970 found Bowman answering the call as Baylor’s first Black scholarship athlete.

Chad Conine’s biography records the facts, but the real story is Bowman’s profound faith, deep friendships and sacrificial service. Basketball simply provides the backdrop and the era the context.

The tale begins “once upon a time” when only God could orchestrate a chance conversation between Baylor’s assistant basketball coach Carroll Dawson and a gas station attendant in Athens. Granville Crayton informed the recruiter the best high school player in Texas lived in Athens—Tommy Bowman. Dawson’s copious files held no such name, not a surprise since the star played at Fisher until Athens High integrated his senior year.

A divine urge led the young coach to drive to Tommy’s house, where he shelled peas with the boy’s mom waiting for him to come home. SMU and TCU had both signed their first Black athletes—Jerry LeVias in football for the Mustangs and basketball player James Cash for the Horned Frogs. Although John Westbrook had walked onto the football team, Baylor was ready to sign its first Black scholarship athlete. Dawson quickly knew it should be Bowman in basketball. Head coach Bill Menefee agreed.

Life at Baylor wasn’t easy for any freshman from a small East Texas town, especially one who didn’t see faces like his in class. However, Tommy held his own on the court, and he, along with others on the freshman team, answered God’s call to lifelong friendships. At home, Bowman went to church with his grandmother whenever the doors were open. He amazed his teammates by attending services every Sunday and displaying unwavering faith. One of those Sundays, he met his future wife, Jackie.

Conine intersperses anecdotes, accounts from newspaper articles, quotes from interviews and photographs. Also included are game-by-game tables and facts from Bowman’s four years playing for the Bears—the first as a freshman before freshmen could play varsity—when the “Cubs” won the Southwest Conference. Sophomore of the Year, First Team All-Conference and an Honorable Mention followed in an era when two second and one third-place finish in the Southwest Conference meant no post-season play. The athlete earned his business degree in 1971. Later, he entered both the Baylor and Southwest Conference Halls of Fame.

Not only did Tommy Bowman answer God’s call to integrate Baylor basketball. The Lord also called him to a life of faith and service in his profession, in the community and in his church. He spent most of his career with two companies, treating others with dignity and respect. Bowman held positions on numerous boards and committees and served nine years as a Baylor regent but always found time for Jackie, Tommy II and Krystal. Known widely as Deacon Bowman, he continues to chair the deacons at Toliver Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where his prayers are legendary.

Chad Conine’s Tommy Bowman: Answering the Call is a great read for anyone of any age—sports fan or not. The only thing better is meeting Tommy Bowman in person. At a recent book-signing, Chad commented that every conversation with “the Deacon” returns to God. That evening Bowman told the audience: “You know, God has a perfect plan for each and every one of you. And I’ve been comfortable, very comfortable walking according to his plan for my life ’cause he knows what’s best for me.” Amen.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Texas WMU and Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco