Paul "Skeeter" Gowen * (1987) - M Club Hall of Fame

Paul "Skeeter" Gowen *

Induction:
1987

Skeeter Gowen came to the Tigers as a celebrated multi-sport, 14 letterman from Christian Brother High School in Memphis. He honed his skills in football, baseball, track and basketball. He was an All State running back for the Brothers. Coach Tom Nix said, "pound for pound he might have been the toughest player to play high school football in Memphis. I never worried about how small he was I worried about the people he ran over." Following his high school graduation he played American Legion baseball for Tony Gagliano's Bill Speros . Gowen and the team won the 1968 American Legion World Series two days before he had to report to Tiger freshman football.

As a freshman Tiger in 1968 Skeeter led the team in rushing with 404 yards on 67 carries for a 6.5 avg. His sophomore year saw him set the record books on fire with 715 yards on 117 carries for a 6.1 avg. His best night, tagged, "The Greatest Rushing Performance" was against Tulsa. The diminutive Gowen 5-7, 172 lb. rushed for 260 yards including an 85 yard sprint from scrimmage. In his junior year Gowen had run himself into Memphis stats as the #2 leading rusher behind Dave Cassinelli. He had acquired 1583 yards on 262 carries and had several career 150 yard games. Skeeter finished his career with. 2227 yards, 5.4 avg., to solidify his place in the record books.

Gowen was an unanimous All Missouri Valley Conference 1st team player in 1969 and 1970. As a sophomore he was selected Player of the Year. The Associated Press selected him honorable mention All American 1969 and 1970. Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity honored him as a football All American three years in a row. 1969, 1970, 1971.

Skeeter played on two All MVC championship teams in 1969/1971. He captained the 1971 team which represented the league in the Pasadena Bowl. Skeeter scored in the 4th Qtr on an 18 yard scrimmage to seal the win for the Tigers.

Skeeter was known for his electrifying play. He found daylight with his lightning speed, cat quickness and thundering bursts off tackle. Coach Murphy called Skeeter "the fastest runner he'd seen from set to the line of scrimmage." Murphy said he had no doubts about starting Skeeter as a sophomore. "I'd like to have a lot more like him. He was tailor made for the split T."

When football was over Gowen became a graduate assistant under Fred Pancoast and attended Memphis State Law School. He was a practicing attorney upon his death. In 1987 the Skeeter Gowen Memorial Scholarship was endowed.

In 2004 the Memphistigers.org named Skeeter as one of the greatest players to wear the Blue and Grey.

In 2006 Gowen was placed on the Missouri Valley Conference All Centennial Team.