CINDY BOWDEN

 2023 INDUCTEE TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

             Cindy Bowden began her swimming career in 1976 at the Brown Swim Club and later the Little Rhody Aquatic Club.  Cindy was an excellent age group swimmer having succeeded at the Rhode Island Junior Age Group Championships as well as the Rhode Island Senior Championships.  Cindy qualified and participated in many regional swim meets and performed successfully as an individual as well as a relay participant.

            During high school, Cindy initially competed for Bay View Academy.  During those years, Bay View was a member of the New England Preparatory league.  Cindy helped Bay View Academy to their first prep school championship.  After her freshman year, Cindy transferred to Pilgrim High School and competed in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League for the next three years where she qualified and placed at the major interscholastic league events.

            From 1886-1990, Cindy attended and competed for Providence College        where she also served as a team manager and scorer.

            After graduating from Providence College, Cindy’s swim career took the coaching path first as Assistant Coach at North Providence High School and then as Head Coach at Pilgrim High School.  Cindy coached high school swimming from 1992 to 2005.  In 2005, she became a Rhode Island Interscholastic League official.  In 2008, Cindy progressed into the position of Director of Swimming for the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.  She has assumed this role for the past fifteen years and continues to do so.  Cindy has also served as the New England Interscholastic Swim Championship meet director.  In 2015, in honor and appreciation for her professionalism, Cindy was awarded the distinguished Joseph Tracey Memorial Award from the Rhode Island Officials Association.  Then, in 2019, she received the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s Distinguished Service Award.

            Since 2008, Cindy has been an integral board member of the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame and has served as Secretary of the organization.

            Cindy resides in Warwick where she has been a dedicated Elementary School teacher since 1990.  For her outstanding athletic achievements, professionalism, dedication to Rhode Island Aquatics, and extensive service to Rhode Island Interscholastic League swimming, the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame is honored to welcome Cindy Bowden as an inductee to the Class of 2023.