Elena Bowman

Classroom

Elena Bowman was a first-team 2015 Capital One Academic All-American selection, becoming the first Manhattan player to receive the honor since 1994. She also received a Capital One Academic All-District nod and was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team for the second consecutive season in 2015.

Character

Bowman was elected captain by her teammates for the 2016 season but has unofficially served in that capacity throughout her career. She works with the pitchers outside of practice, watching bullpen sessions and offering feedback, acting as almost another pitching coach. Bowman understands her importance to the team and has never missed a game during her Manhattan career, despite playing one of the most grueling positions on the field.

Community

Along with a pair of women’s lacrosse players, Bowman has introduced the “Love Your Melon” program to Manhattan. The goal of “Love Your Melon” is to provide beanies for children battling cancer across the country. It was established in 2014 and already has achieved its goal of donating 45,000 beanies, which is the number of kids fighting cancer nationwide. Half of all proceeds fund cancer research initiatives, and “Love Your Melon” also has committed to donating 15,000 beanies a year for those who are newly diagnosed. Bowman serves as a Campus Ambassador, spreading the mission and selling beanies across campus.

Competition

Bowman was the unanimous MAAC Player of the Year in 2015 and is the conference’s unanimous 2016 Preseason Player of the Year. She also was first-team All-MAAC, first-team All-ECAC and second-team All-Region last season, after leading the league in batting average (.448), home runs (16) and RBIs (41). In addition, Bowman ranked ninth nationally in on-base percentage (.586) and 10th in slugging percentage (.920) last season.  She played every inning behind the plate and didn’t commit an error in 266 defensive chances. Bowman is Manhattan’s all-time leader with 41 career home runs, which is 16 shy of the conference record. In 2014, she was named to the All-MAAC Second Team and MAAC All-Tournament Team as the Jaspers reached the championship round for the first time in 15 years. In addition, Bowman was Manhattan College’s Co-Female Student-Athlete of the Year for the 2014-15 academic year. She also was chosen to play on a College All-Star Team for an exhibition against Team USA during the summer of 2015.