CU Medallion [18314]
TigerPulse: 79%
52
Posts: 24634
Joined: 2003
|
Interview with Linda Bowden:
Aug 27, 2006, 1:43 PM
|
|
The former Linda Joan White met Tommy Bowden when they were high school students in Morgantown, W. Va. The Bowdens have been married 29 years and have two children (Ryan, 24, and Lauren, 20). They made coaching stops at Florida State, Auburn, Florida State (again), Duke, Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn (again) and Tulane before moving to Clemson when Tommy became the Tigers? head coach in 1999. Linda talked about football, family, the Spurriers, food and her favorite Christian fiction authors recently when she went One- on- One with The Post and Courier?s Gene Sapakoff:
Your first date with Tommy was "Hang 'Em High," the Clint Eastwood movie?
"Yes, and I think he picked me up 20 minutes before the movie and I was back home 20 minutes after it was over. He was very shy back then. Hard to believe, I know."
And what did you see in young Tommy Bowden back then?
"He was just a good All-American kind of guy. Clean-cut looking, came from a good family. A good boy."
What's the hardest part of being married to a major college head football coach.
"I guess the demands on their time. You just have so little time to do things. You have, of course, the season. And then recruiting. Tommy is so busy, it's hard to find time to do things and be together."
The best part?
"It's just very exciting. I'm very proud of Tommy when that first game comes around and the stadium is full and everyone is cheering. It really is exciting."
Have you ever met Steve Spurrier?
"Oh, yes. We used to go on Nike trips together, all of the Nike coaches and their wives ... when he was at Florida. I got to know him a little bit, and he's very nice. And I got to know Jerri Spurrier a little bit, and she's very nice. She's very athletic. She was always out running or swimming and, of course, Steve is a big golfer."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"The one thing we love here is that we're very fortunate to live on the lake (Lake Hartwell). We love going out on the boat, or just sitting on the dock. Tommy will fish and I watch him fish. I don't jog - Tommy's the jogger - but I walk five miles with the dog every morning. I enjoy our Bible study at church and I love to read."
What have you been reading lately?
"I enjoy Christian fiction. Right now I'm reading Randy Alcorn's "Deadline." I've recently read a lot of books by Karen Kingsbury. My all-time favorite Christian fiction book is "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers."
I know you make the road trips with whatever team Tommy is coaching. In all your years of traveling to games, which school do you think had the classiest fans? Not counting a school Tommy or any of his family members have worked for.
"Well, you know when we went out and played Texas A&M two years ago, I'd always heard about their fans and how hospitable they were and they were very hospitable. You'd walk by and they were like 'Howdy' and 'Welcome to Texas' and all that. They were a very nice group."
The most obnoxious fans?
"(Laughs) You're not going to get me to say anything on that one."
These days, I think everyone respects a marriage that has lasted almost 30 years, particularly with all the moving around you've done. What have been the keys for you guys?
"With us, first and foremost, it's been our faith in Jesus Christ. That's what holds you together. Football goes up and down; they love you one minute and hate you the next. You have to have something that's constant. Tommy and I have always been involved with our church and with Bible studies and that's kind of what binds you together. Then Tommy has been very good about family things. He doesn't golf or do a whole lot of things. When he's home, he's home to spend time with me and Ryan and Lauren. He's been very good about putting family first when he can."
What chores does Tommy have around the house?
"(Laughs). None. Definitely none. We have a very old-fashioned set-up. I have been fortunate that I taught school until I had my children and then I have been able to stay home with them, and that's the way we wanted it. I looked at it like my domain was the house and the kids, basically, and he worked 14-16 hours a day. I really didn't expect him to do much around the house. He doesn't even know where things are. One time we moved into a house and the kitchen cabinet doors weren't ready yet and Tommy said, 'Linda, I love this because I finally know where everything is.' I will say that until he became a head coach, he was great yard man. I mean, he took great pride in his yard. He did all the edging and cutting and I think we probably could have won Yard of the Month."
The ideal date-night for Mr. and Mrs. Bowden?
"We're simple people. We usually like to get something to eat and go to the movies. Or just go and sit on the dock when it's pretty. One thing we have really enjoyed, though, is getting down to Charleston. Whenever Tommy comes down there to speak we try to take a long weekend. We have spent time at Wild Dunes and this past spring we stayed at The Sanctuary at Kiawah. We really enjoyed that."
What are your favorite Charleston restaurants?
"Oh, golly. They're all so good. We love Magnolias. Slightly North of Broad. We've never had a bad meal in Charleston."
What do you listen to on the radio?
"I like to listen to country music, which Tommy hates. And we have a good station up here called His Radio that plays contemporary Christian music with Dr. James Dobson's spots on there. I never listen to sports talk shows (laughs)."
What do you watch on TV?
"I have to admit, I like the reality shows. The "Dancing with the Stars" thing, I love that. I like "The Apprentice" and "The Bachelor" and all those kind of crazy shows."
Tommy's favorite home-cooked meal?
"Probably lamb. I'll do lamb chops quick a lot but always our Christmas Eve meal is leg of lamb and mashed potatoes and he really likes that."
The best thing Tommy cooks?
"(Laughs). Tommy? Cook? Uhhh ... Let's see. He used to grill but not anymore. Well, he made chili one time. Back in 1985."
How about that chili?
"It was pretty good, if I recall."
|
|
50
