A Southern Indiana football coach died Monday after suffering a stroke during a playoff game.
Phillip Bowsman, who served as the West Washington School Corp. athletic director as well as West Washington High’s football coach, died Monday afternoon around 1:19 p.m., the school district said.
Bowsman had a stroke due to a blood clot during Friday’s game, Superintendent Keith Nance said.
The coach had undergone brain surgery to relieve pressure from swelling over the weekend, according to the district.
After he passed, the district wrote on Facebook that, “In true Coach Bowsman fashion, he made his final act of giving by being an organ donor.”
Nance wrote in a Facebook post Sunday evening that Bowsman was expected to pass away after being taken off a ventilator on Monday morning.
“I know to many this is devastating news,” Nance wrote. “Due to the grief that many of our staff and students will suffer from we will hold counseling services throughout the day Monday and Tuesday.”
“Phillip is a dear friend of many of our staff, family to some and a father figure to many,” Nance added.
He asked anyone who needs counseling resources to call the school at 812-755-4872.
Bowman was an employee of West Washington School Corp. for 19 years. He was the head football coach of West Washington High for 16 seasons and athletic director for the past seven years.
West Washington lost Friday’s game, which was a state semifinal, against Indianapolis Lutheran High School.
An honor walk is scheduled in Bowsman’s honor at St. Vincent Hospital, where he was when he died, for Nov. 27. More details will be released about the walk at a later time, the district said on Facebook.
Bowsman’s visitation is scheduled for Friday at Mt. Tabor Church, and his funeral will be Saturday. According to the district, his family has asked people to donate to the WW Athletic Department instead of buying flowers or gifts. People can also donate to the Bowsman Family Fund at First Harrison Bank in Salem.
“Please take time show love and support for all members of our community,” the district wrote on Facebook, “because his impact was great and this loss will affect many.”
