TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cassidy Bowen has been hired as head softball coach at Northeastern State University, Director of Athletics John Sisemore announced on Tuesday morning. Bowen was a standout player at the University of Tulsa, where she was a four-year starter in softball, playing as a catcher and infielder.
"Bowen was a fierce competitor in high school and college with an overwhelming desire to be successful," Sisemore said, "After many conversations with John Bargfeldt (head softball coach at Tulsa from 2005-19, current Team USA assistant), it was evident she would be a great hire."
"Coach Bowen comes from a great softball family, as her father (current Rogers Heritage High School head softball coach Rodney Bowen) is a long-time coach with ties to many local high schools and talent in the Tulsa and northwest Arkansas area. This will also be a huge asset in recruiting local great talent to NSU. Bowen has the relentless tenacity and blue collar work ethic that fits the mold of what we want in our coaches at NSU."
Bowen comes to Tahlequah from Concordia University Texas, where she was an assistant coach for one season. During the 2025 season, Bowen and the Tornados dominated their home field, winning 19 of their 22 contests and recording a program-best 27 victories.
In the program's first season as members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), Bowen coached nine All-SCAC selections and assisted in the development of an offense that posted the top on-base percentage in the league (.435), in addition to tying for the best slugging percentage (.485) while claiming ownership of the second-best batting average (.356).
"I'm beyond excited and honored to be joining the NSU family. This opportunity means the world to me," Bowen said, "It's not just about coaching—it's about coming home. Growing up in Tulsa and playing at the University of Tulsa, this part of the country and my softball career here shaped who I am. To now lead a program in my home state, where I can pour into young women and help them chase greatness, is incredibly meaningful."
Bowen served as head coach for four seasons at Houston Christian High School and guided them to a state runner-up finish in the Southern Preparatory Conference. She also served as an assistant coach for two years at the Kinkaid School (Houston, Texas).
As a student-athlete, Bowen set records for the most runners picked off both in a single season and in her career, achievements that stand in both the University of Tulsa and Conference USA. A four-year letterwinner, Bowen appeared in 217 games and started in 209 contests, playing on three teams that reached the NCAA Regionals (2011, 2012, 2013).
Bowen graduated from the University of Tulsa in 2014 with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in finance with a minor in accounting, as well as a certificate in sports administration.
"I'm here to give everything I've got. I want the NSU faithful to know that our mission is clear: whatever it takes," Bowen says.
"We're going to do 'WIT' in the weight room, in the classroom, on the field, and in life. We're going to compete, grow, and push each other every day. This is going to be a program built on love, discipline, and drive—and I cannot wait to get to work."
