NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Southern Connecticut State University announced the promotion of Kate Bowen from interim head coach to head coach of the Owls' softball program. She becomes the fourth head coach in SCSU Softball history.

"Kate hit the ground running, and we're thrilled to make her appointment permanent," said Director of Athletics & Recreation Terrance Jones. "We're confident she'll build on the program's tradition of excellence and drive continued success."

Bowen's impressive resume, leadership skills, and familiarity with the region make her an ideal fit to lead the Owls. In her first season with the Owls, Bowen led a team that featured three All-Northeast 10 selections in Ashley Lewis, Giselle DeLutri and Izzy Ingersoll, while Ingersoll also earned NE10 Rookie of the Year honors. Nadia Cestari and Rachel Miller were also named to the College Sports Communicators Softball Academic All-District team. The Owls completed the 2025 season with a 15-23 record. 

Bowen came to Southern from Springfield College, where she compiled an overall record of 180-88-1 for a .697 winning percentage. In 2017, her first season as Springfield's interim head coach, Bowen was named the ECAC Division III New England and NEWMAC Softball Coach of the Year. In 2024, she guided Springfield to the NEWMAC Regular-Season Championship and earned Coach of the Year honors.  

In eight seasons at Springfield, Bowen coached three All-Americans, 12 All-Region selections, three Players of the Year, one Pitcher of the Year and a Rookie of the Year. Additionally, her teams have featured 23 All-NEWMAC First and Second team selections as well as 86 NEWMAC Academic All-Conference honorees.

Bowen was a four-year starter at NCAA Division I Manhattan College where she was a three-time All-MAAC selection and a NFCA First Team All-Northeast Region selection and a two-time Manhattan College Female Student-Athlete of the Year. She graduated as the program record holder in at-bats and ranked in the top three in hits, doubles, runs scored and games played while hitting .340 for her career.

Following her collegiate playing career, she went on to play professionally for the Stratford Brakettes from 2011 through 2013 as a pitcher and outfielder. She helped the Brakettes to three-straight Major Softball National Championships as well as the USSSA Women's Fastpitch World Series Championship in 2013. In 2012 she won the Major Softball National Championship Diane Schumacher Batting Title.

Bowen graduated from Manhattan College in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in physical education with a minor in adapted physical education. She earned a master's degree in physical education with a concentration in athletic administration from Springfield in 2017 and is pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Springfield.