Bob Owens’ ‘Strange’ Life

1 u- -rv^t. ^ _ . JULIA SAYERS I S taff Photograher in his lOtn year on staff, Owens helped transform Elon men s and women’s tennis programs to perennial conference contenders. His varying life experiences led to teachable moments on the court. I Bette Midler, Vietnam, NFL: Bob Owens’ ‘strange’ life Julia Sayers football coach and was able problems came up and the working with summer camps. Staff Photographer “But you’ve got a bullet in to get in touch with him again league folded. Many players When Parham retired and your back” after returning home from the from the league went on to Join Leonard took over, Owens Bob doesn’t sleep. service. the NFL, and the Philadelphia became assistant coach for This is Just one part of Bob Owens was drafted into the Owens went on to play wide Eagles signed Owens in 1976. the men’s tennis team. A few Owens’ interesting - or as he military after he finished high receiver for Guilford in 1968, “1 had a headache for five years later, Owens also decided prefers “strange” - life. Not school. After boot camp, he graduating as a two-time All- years," Owens said. “Nowadays, to help out with the women’s many people can say they’ve tried to outsmart the system American in football. While they yank you out of the tennis team. He also teaches had experiences comparable by taking extended training in college, Owens met his first game and won’t let you back the tennis class at Elon. to Owens’, the assistant men’s in Jump school and going with wife, Katherine Byrd. in until your five days free “Theguysareextraordinarily and women’s tennis coach at Special Forces to Georgia, but After dating for a little while, of symptoms. But back then easy to bond with,” Owens Elon University. was eventually sent to South Owens found out Byrd’s uncle they would give you a whiff of said. “They’re good people, Owens’ experiences started Vietnam to fight in the war. was the governor of the state ammonia and send you back they’re easy to get along with at a young age. Since his father “1 kept thinking 1 could of Georgia and that she was in. So the most vivid thing 1 and they’re very coachable. was in the navy, his family spend my time in the service from a very well-off political remember was five years of They’re good citizens and hard moved around a lot, living Just going through classes, but family. After getting married headaches." workers.” in Japan, Alaska and Hawaii. that wasn’t what happened,” and divorced three years later, Owens ended his football Owens attended Radford High Owens said. her uncle, Jimmy Carter, ended career in 1979. No sleep tonight School in Honolulu, the same While on patrol Oct. 28, up becoming President of the “I got tired of the headaches," high school Bette Midler, the 1965, Owens was shot in the United States. Owens said. “But the deals were Because of his experiences in famed singer, actress and stomach. The bullet went in “1 found that out after rebuilding and it doesn’t take Vietnam, Owens doesn’t sleep. comedian attended. She was in under his navel and out of his working with Bob for three a genius to realize they start He rests, but he doesn't sleep. He the grade ahead of Owens. back, leaving a part of the bullet or four years,” said Michael drafting certain players so you stays In the “sleep onset” stage of “1 knew Midler and she knew still in his back. Owens spent Leonard, men’s tennis coach at Just call it a career.” me because I was an athlete," the first few weeks recovering sleep. Elon. “He Just threw it in like “1 hear things. 1 listen to Owens said. “She was very active in a field hospital but was that's Just normal.” A teacher, a coach, a husband monotonous noise, like a fan in the student government and then moved to hospitals in the While Owens was in moving, and if something happens had a nice voice even then. She Philippines, Japan and Virginia graduate school in France, the After Owens' football career, that breaks it. I’m instantly aware was in the chorus and did all before finally being discharged World Football League was he began teaching at public of it,” he said. “And if you ask me those musical theater plays.” to Honolulu. formed, and Owens received schools in North Carolina. He something you’ll swear I've been Owens played both baseball “All 1 wanted was someone two letters from their scouting got certified to be an athletic awake all night because I talk just and football in high school, but to make the hurt go away,” he organizations, one for the trainer, as well as receiving excelled in football. said. “It felt like someone was like I’m talking now.” Birmingham Americans and his certification in science It has become second nature “I liked the contact sport, for inside me with a settling torch one for the Philadelphia Bell. education. He taught anatomy, to Owens now. He always gets the a teen with all the hormones trying to burn their way out." These letters were sent to every running it was a good way to physiology and sports medicine rest he needs, even when he was college football player who for 33 years. release a lot of energy,” he said. Five years of headaches playing football. wasn’t in the NFL. Owens, who started playing “If you live long enough, a lot “I was the oldest of 13 kids so Owens signed a free agent tennis incollege and is currently of things are going to happen to my frustrations of having to After four years in the contract with the Philadelphia take care of them were taken military, Owens attended a member of the United States you," he said. “It’s not something Bell in 1974. The team did Tennis Association, came to you plan, it’s just life const^H out on the field. 1 couldn’t hit Guilford College in Greensboro. well the first two years, even the younger kids but I could hit He had been recruited right Elon in 2000 under Coach Tom doing things that are unusual playing in the first round of Parham, the former men's strange. Some aren’t always gooQ. people in football." after high school by the the playoffs. But, financial tennis coach, and started but it’s just the way it is.".

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