Kinesiology and Health Education

Dr. Bowers graduated with a B.S. and an M.S. in Sport Management from the University of Florida in 2005/2007, where he also worked with the Gators football and women's basketball programs. Foregoing a career coaching collegiate basketball, he earned his doctoral degree in Sport Management at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to serving as a faculty member with the Sport Management program, Dr. Bowers also works extensively in the field with a range of sport organizations in both research and consulting capacities. He lives in Austin with his wife, Lauren.

Ph.D., Kinesiology, University of Texas at Austin (2011)

M.S./B.S., Exercise & Sport Sciences/Sport Management, University of Florida (2007/05)

Bowers, M.T., & Green, B.C. (in press). Reconstructing the youth sport experience: How children derive meaning from unstructured and organized settings. Journal of Sport Management.

Bowers, M.T. (2011). Playing video games as a supplement to identity: Insights on former college athlete transitions. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 4, 289-308.

Bowers, M.T., & Hunt, T.M. (2011). The President's Council on Physical Fitness and the systematization of children's play in America. International Journal of the History of Sport, 28, 1496-1511.

Bowers, M.T., Chalip, L., & Green, B.C. (2011). Sport participation under laissez-faire policy: The case of the United States. In M. Nicholson, R. Hoye, & B. Houlihan (Eds.), Participation in sport: International policy perspectives (pp. 254-267). Oxfordshire, UK: Routledge.

Bowers, M.T., Chalip, L., & Green, B.C. (2011). Beyond the façade: Youth sport development in the United States and the illusion of synergy. In B. Houlihan and M. Green (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Sports Development (pp. 173-183). Oxfordshire, UK: Routledge.

• University of Texas Kinesiology Club Faculty/Teacher of the Year (2011-2012)
• William C. Friday Graduate Student College Sport Research Paper Award Winner (2011)

United States Play Coalition Research Seed Grant Recipient (July 2010 - Present)

My research examines the management of systems for athlete and coach development. Specifically, I investigate the potential supplemental impact that non-organized sport settings, such as pick-up sports and video games, may have on these development systems. Drawing from an interdisciplinary blend of quantitative, qualitative, and historical methodologies, my research focuses on leveraging this understanding of settings to influence the design and implementation of sport programs and policies that promote both elite performance and mass participation throughout the lifespan. Further, I also consider the development of creativity and innovation in and through sport at both the individual and organizational levels.

• Republic of Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Task ForceAdvisory Board (2012 - Present)
• United States Play Coalition Research Action Committee Member, (2010 - Present)
• North American Society for Sport Management Member (2007 - Present)
• North American Society for Sport History Member ( 2007 - Present)