A popular high school football coach in Indiana has died after suffering a stroke during a playoff game last week, school officials said.
Phillip Bowsman, who coached at West Washington High School in Campbellsburg, died Monday due to complications from a stroke due to a blood clot during Friday’s game, West Washington Schools Superintendent Keith Nance said.
“In true Coach Bowsman fashion, he made his final act of giving by being an organ donor,” Nance said in a Facebook post on Monday. “Please take time [and] show love and support for all members of our community because his impact was great and this loss will affect many.”
Bowsman — who also worked as the district’s athletic director — was expected to pass away after being removed from a ventilator, Nance said late Sunday. Classes throughout the district were canceled Monday and Tuesday in his memory.
Bowsman, who coached the high school’s football team for 16 seasons, was in his 40s, WLKY reports. Parents of students at the school said he left a lasting impact on many youngsters, both on and off the field.
“If they needed a ride home, if they needed equipment, cleats, if they needed anything at all, just someone to listen to, he was there,” parent Cynthia Ball told the station.
Another parent whose son played for Bowsman more than 10 years ago said the coach was “just a really good guy” who stayed in touch with players many seasons after they graduated.
“He coaches because of Phillip,” Bobby Cleek told the station of his son. “Him and Phillip are still close and they talk all the time.”
District officials have arranged a makeshift memorial for Bowsman at West Washington High School.West Washington School CorporationBowsman’s team lost Friday’s state semifinal game against Indianapolis Lutheran High School, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.
An honor walk will be held in Bowsman’s memory at a hospital in Indianapolis on Wednesday. Visitation will be held Friday and a funeral service will follow on Saturday, district officials said.
Students and staffers can also visit a makeshift memorial at the school’s football field to leave pictures and other mementos of Bowsman.
“The lights will remain on and you can visit on your own time,” Nance’s statement continued.



