Beyond Sports: Today we are sitting down with Coach Tavares Bowens of the 2008 AIFA Florence Phantoms.   Coach Bowens was selected as the AIFA Coach of the Year.  Thank you, Coach for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak to the members of the Beyond Sports Network.    Coach for those members that are not familiar with your career can you give us a little background on yourself.

Coach Bowens: I have coached in the AIFA for 2 years now and have been fortunate enough to win 2 AIFA Championships in 2 consecutive years. This was my first ever shot at a head coaching job in Arena/Indoor Football.  I spent the 2007 season as a FB/LB coach for the Lakeland Thunderbolts that went 14-2 under Teddy Keaton. In 2005 and 2006 was a FB/LB/ coach and Personnel Assistant with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. There I helped the Predators to a 12-6 record and the Arena Bowl XX where we lost to the Chicago Rush 69-61. In the past 4 consecutive years I have been a division champion 4 times and in the title game 3 times, winning 2. I was a starting FB for Saginaw Valley State in Michigan in 1997,1998. After injury cut short my professional career in the Arena Football League, I decided to start coaching. I never knew I would have this much fun coaching and being apart of a game that has given so much to me and now I have that chance to give something back.  

Beyond Sports: Coach Bowens, what do you feel are your main strengths as a coach?

Coach Bowens: My Passion for this game. I’m so in love with it, I can’t get away from it. When I eat fruit loops in the morning, I am seeing high motion floating in milk. It’s awesome. When you can love your job and have fun. I have been blessed to be successful early in my career because I humbled myself under people who where legends in the game, learned as much as I can and applied it with a mixture of my philosophy and my natural God given ability as a coach.  

Beyond Sports:  The indoor game is very different from the outdoor.  Do you look for a different type of player for the indoor game?   What kinds of characteristics do you look for in that player?

Coach Bowens: As you know we sign players from various Indoor and Outdoor leagues. Our Championship roster included players from NFL, CFL, AFL, AIFA and various Indoor Football leagues. I look for players who: have passion, ability, speed and an attitude that promotes team and community. 

Beyond Sports: Coach, what was it like reaching the AIFA Championship and what do you attribute to the success?

Coach Bowens: It was awesome. To see a team grow the way we did through the course of a season where no one gave us a chance, was phenomenal. We won 10 straight games after May 3^rd to win the first ever Championship in the city of Florence, South Carolina. I attribute that to a lot of factors, my coaches, Aso Pogi, Mike Watson, Lamont Ransby, and Benny King. Not to mention the administration, fans and most importantly the players. I have never coached a more diverse and eclectic group of young men in my life, it was an absolute thrill.

Beyond Sports: What are some of your coaching goals over the next five years?

Coach Bowens: My ultimate goal is to work back to the Arena Football League or secure a coaching/personnel position in the NFL. I feel if I keep winning championships, hopefully someone will notice me down here. But in the meantime, I am currently listening for offers to coach elsewhere. Unfortunately I will not re-sign with the Florence Phantoms for the 2009 season. I feel it was the best business decision for my career and my family. I wish the Phantoms all the best.  

Beyond Sports:   Coach, you coached in the AIFA, which is the new up incoming indoor football league.   Describe your experience with AIFA and where do you see the AIFA going in the near future.

Coach Bowens: The AIFA is doing some great things. We are expanding the league into more diverse cities such as Richmond, Virginia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that have displayed a thirst for indoor football. Attracting attention of investors like Marques Colston of the New Orlean Saints and signing high caliber players such as Omar Jacobs, Rod Rutherford, Tres Moses, and Jovan Johnson. Also, the AIFA has been pretty a competitive league that has moved its share number of players to higher leagues. With the new merger of the IFL, (Indoor Football League) it is imperative the AIFA seek new ways to diversify its brand to stay competitive. 

Beyond Sports:   Coach Bowens, you are an active member in the Beyond Sports Network.   How have you used the Beyond Sports Network to help your team over the past year?

Coach Bowens: Beyond Sports Network has been a great tool for me to network with prospective players and coaches in efforts to build a championship team. I look forward to doing business with BSN in a more detailed capacity next year.

Beyond Sports:  How do you think the Beyond Sports Network can help other coaches or other leagues?

Coach Bowens: It is one of the most detailed recruiting tools I have seen thus far. Coaches can create a profile for themselves or their team that allows prospective players to access the information at anytime and anywhere. Also, having the ability to download video and pictures helps as well. In conclusion, BSN gives the coach the access to network on a daily basis with players and coaches all over the world.