ROCKVILLE, Md. — Editor's Note: We originally stated that Patrice Bowman is the first woman to be the head coach of a high school football team in the DC area. Natalie Randolph was the first woman to be a head coach of a high school football team in the region when she led DC's Coolidge High School's varsity team from 2010-2013, including a Turkey Bowl appearance in 2011. Randolph is currently the Director of Equity, Justice, and Community at Sidwell Friends.
Patrice Bowman is living out her dream this season on the sidelines at Thomas S. Wootton High School's football field. Coach Bowman, as she's known around Rockville, Maryland, is mid-way through her first season as Wootton's Junior Varsity head football coach. She's the first woman to be a head coach at the high school level in Montgomery County.
"They just accept me as coach, and it doesn't change anything in regards to the game. It's just the fact that I'm a female coach," says Bowman.
WUSA9 stopped by Wootton's practice to get a look at Bowman in action. It was noticeable that the players and other coaches gravitated toward her energy and coaching style. "Let's go, guys, huddle up!" exclaimed Bowman. Our cameras didn't keep her from doing her job, and it's a job she takes very seriously.
"If you look at my resume, it will definitely tell the difference in regards of whether or not I can coach," says Bowman.
Her afternoons in the fall are spent on the football fields in Rockville. Before she was "Coach" Bowman, she was a D.C. Divas star, playing offensive line for the women's professional football team for five seasons. She began coaching the Divas' offensive line when her playing days were done. She also now works as the Divas Director of Pro Development. Right now her main focus is on coaching the junior varsity at Wootton, but she plans to return to her normal coaching duties for the D.C. Divas when the high school football season wraps.
"You can do whatever you put your mind to. I'm glad I made the decision to number one, play football, and now I'm also ecstatic about coaching football," says Bowman.
Bowman has been showered with support since her first day at the high school. She tells me her peers, team parents, and athletes, only view her as a football coach and don't see gender.
"I'm pleased with how the parents, staff and kids have welcomed me. Regardless of the gender, it's just been the same thing that any other coach would face. Nothing, I would say, that stands out for me being a woman that probably a man wouldn't face," says Bowman.
Bowman is enjoying her first season as a head coach and encourages more women to find their place in the game of football.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) suspended football operations temporarily at Northwest and Gaithersburg high schools after a fight broke out on the field between players.
On Sept. 16, a fight erupted during a football game at Gaithersburg High School, located on Education Boulevard, at around 8:23 p.m. The football teams from Gaithersburg and Northwest School were involved in the large altercation.
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