Communication and community involvement are the tenets with which new Glenbard North assistant principal for athletics Matt Bowser hopes to fortify the Panthers program. He said he will strive for across the board success for Glenbard North boys and girls teams.

“For our programs that have been successful, my goal is to continue to maintain that success,” Bowser said. “For the programs that have had difficulty, I want to evaluate why that difficulty is occurring. I want to continue to build communication, that can always be improved, and help any teams that need support. I want to make sure they’re getting the leadership they need. I’ll work with the coaches to try and make things better.”

Bowser was hired at the end of April and approved by the District 87 board at its May 5 meeting. He replaces Branden Adkins, who resigned March 8 after one year citing personal reasons.

Bowser has been at Willowbrook the last eight years. He was dean of students in 2006-7 and 2007-8. He coached football throughout his time at the Villa Park school and served as defensive coordinator for coach Mark Olson’s team the last three years.  Bowser coached girls basketball until last season.

The Marengo High School and Elmhurst College graduate also served as an instructor in the physical education and driver’s education departments at Willowbrook.

“It’s been going great,” Bowser said. “My biggest thing is trying to communicate with as many people as possible. I want to get to know the community more. I’m trying to build relationships within the community and try to understand the tradition that’s been built here.”

Bowser said pursuing a position as director of an athletic department was a career goal he’d hoped to achieve.

“It’s what I wanted to do,” Bowser said, “what I wanted to set myself up for. It’s just a great opportunity to come here to Glenbard North where there’s a rich athletic tradition and great community support.”

Thus far, Bowser’s only hire is assistant athletic director Steve Wilt, who had been on staff as a science teacher and basketball staff for the past four years. New boys basketball coach Joe Larson and girls basketball coach John Chamberlain were hired by Adkins.

“It’s been a positive start for me,” Bowser said. “Obviously, there are a lot of outstanding coaches and programs, as well as a lot of great athletes. Which is why they’ve been successful to this point.”