University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Athletics

                Two-time NCAA Division II Wrestling All-American and 1991 NCAA National Runner-up Eric Bowser left his mark on the Mountain Cat program, before turning his attention to serving his community as a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper and an American hero as a highly-decorated Engineer Officer in the United States Army Reserves.
                Following a stellar career at Richland High School that saw him post a 114-12 overall and place three times at the PIAA State Championships, including winning state championship in 1986, Mr. Bowser brought his talents to Pitt-Johnstown in 1989 to wrestle for legendary Coach Pat Pecora.
                Mr. Bowser won an NCAA Regional Championship as a sophomore in 1990, before repeating that feat and closing out his junior season as the 1990-91 NCAA National Runner-up at (126) lbs.  In the process, Mr. helped Pitt-Johnstown earn a top-25 finish national finish for the second straight year.
                In his final season of wrestling, Mr. Bowser won his third consecutive NCAA Regional title and became an All-American for the second time by placing fourth at the National Tournament in 1992.  The Mountains Cats claimed the NCAA East Region championship and placed seventh at the national tournament to mark the program’s second highest finish to that point.
                Mr. Bowser then helped Coach Pecora as assistant coach for the 1992-93 season after earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography with a minor in Environmental Biology.
                In July 2006, Mr. Bowser entered the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and has been a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper since December 2006, with time stationed at the Coudersport, Indiana, and Somerset Barracks.  He is currently stationed at the Everett Turnpike Barracks in Bedford County.
                Along with serving his community. Mr. Bowser enlisted in the United States Army Reserves on September 10, 2001.  He spent two years as an enlisted member and the last 21 years as a Commissioned Officer and has earned numerous awards, including a Bronze Star (BSM), Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) – 2, Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) – w/ 2 OLC, Army Achievement Medal (AAM) – 1, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (ARCAM) w/ 2 Silver OLC, National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Iraqi Campaign Medal (ICM) w/ Bronze Service Star Device, Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) w/ Bronze Service Star Device, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) w/ Bronze Service Star Device, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTESM) w/ Bronze Service Star Device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) w/ Silver Hourglass and M-3, Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Army Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR) – 3, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (ARCOTR), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (ARCOTR), Meritorious Unit Commendation – 2, and De Fleury Award – Bronze Medal Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals an Army Achievement Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Star Service Device.
                Currently, Mr. Bowser is the Battalion Engineer Branch Officer-In-Charge (OIC) and Observer Controller / Trainer (OC/T) with the 2-312^th Training Support Battalion in Coraopolis, Pa.
                From 1993 through 2006, Mr. Bowser coached wrestling at both the elementary and high school levels in the Richland and Forest Hills School Districts.
                He was also a certified PIAA Wresting Official from 1997-2000.
                In 1990 Mr. Bowser earned induction into the Johnstown War Memorial Athlete Hall of Fame and in 2014 he was inducted into the District 6 Wrestling Hall of Fame.
                The native of Windber, Pa. and his wife Amy and daughter Ashley, reside in Windber, PA.
                “We live in the greatest country in this world, find out what you want, find out what it costs, and pay the price.  Self-Discipline Equals Freedom,” Mr. Bowser said.  “Coach Pecora gave all his wrestlers the opportunity to win at life and to be better than they ever thought they could be.  He was not only a father to us, but he helped us to become Doctors, Engineers, coaches, teachers, Soldiers, business owners, PA State Troopers, community leaders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and of course great sons, fathers, and husbands.”