Charley Bowser
American football player and coach
About Charley Bowser
Lived 1898 – 1989 (aged 90). Charley Bowser was an American military officer and american football player.
Charles W. Bowser (November 29, 1898 – July 29, 1989) was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Grove City College from 1924 to 1926, at Bowdoin College from 1930 to 1934, and at the University of Pittsburgh from 1939 to 1942, compiling a career college football record of 40–47–6.
Early life Bowser was born in Ligonier, Pennsylvania and attended Johnstown High School, where he played high school football. He left high school as a senior, in April 1918, in order to enlist in the Army. From May 1918 to April 1919, he served overseas in the Ambulance Corps.
In 1919, Bowser enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. That season, he played on the freshman football team under freshman coach Andy Kerr. The following year, he joined the varsity team under head coach Pop Warner, and played at end, quarterback, tackle, and center. He studied business administration and was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies. In 1939, Bowser returned to Pittsburgh as its head coach, and served in that position through the 1942 season. He resigned his post in January 1943 to take a commission in the United States Navy during World War II. He was replaced by T formation innovator Clark Shaughnessy.
Head coaching record
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Important facts
People in Charley Bowser's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Charley Bowser's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Charley Bowser?
American football player and coach (1898-1989)
When was Charley Bowser born?
Charley Bowser was born on 29 November 1898 in Ligonier.
When did Charley Bowser die?
Charley Bowser died on 30 July 1989 in Royal Oak.
What was Charley Bowser's occupation?
Charley Bowser was a military officer and american football player.
What nationality was Charley Bowser?
Charley Bowser was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Charley Bowser. https://biography.guide/charley-bowser/
MLA: "Charley Bowser." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/charley-bowser/.
Chicago: "Charley Bowser." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/charley-bowser/.
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