Coach Bowler

Mike Bowler was a devoted teacher, club advisor, administrator and coach at RPHS. He made a lasting impression on the students, athletes and residents of Rocky Point who had the pleasure of crossing his path during his more than 40 years of service. Our annual Mike Bowler Day honors the life and legacy of Coach Bowler and his dedication to the boy’s lacrosse program at Rocky Point High School.

Since 1973, he consistently worked to make this school and community into a better place. Bowler established the lacrosse team from a collection of younger boys that learned how to play through intramurals to finally establishing a varsity team in 1978, which boasted a winning season in its first year.

As the “father of Rocky Point lacrosse,” Bowler meticulously prepared his teams through all of his practices, games, and summer league contests.

When his players graduated from Rocky Point, it was often the case that Bowler traveled to see them play at the college level.

The connection of families to the Rocky Point lacrosse team runs deep, as brothers often played together and fathers watched their kids play on the same team that they once played for under Bowler.

Always a positive figure, Bowler could be seen smiling, wearing his Rocky Point hat, shirt, and salmon shorts, especially during the 2008 pursuit to win the New York State Championship in lacrosse. Coach was an important role model to many of his students, athletes, and other coaches. He always provided much needed support and advice to anyone who needed it. In 2020 in he was selected as the US Lacrosse Coach of the Year, and a plaque was dedicated to him here in the halls of Rocky Point High School.

Thank you to Mrs. Bowler and her children for allowing this community the outstanding opportunity to have known this great man who was loyal to the communities of Miller Place, Rocky Point, and Sound Beach.  Since the early 1970’s, this program was fortunate to have his guidance and leadership, and the memory of Coach Bowler will always drive this team to succeed each day on and off the field.