Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Lewis Bowling, a North Carolina author, historian, educator, and journalist who has spent much of his career bringing history to life. His books explore college athletics, famous coaches, influential people, and the communities that helped shape North Carolina. Through careful research and engaging stories, he helps readers discover the people and events behind the history.
Bowling was born and raised in Oxford, North Carolina. He grew up on a tobacco farm in Granville County. As a child, he developed a love of reading and history. Visits to the local library helped spark his interest in the past. That early curiosity eventually grew into a lifelong passion for writing and historical research.
Bowling earned his bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and a master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy in Alabama. His career in education has included teaching at Duke University and North Carolina Central University. He has also taught sports coaching courses overseas, including in Thailand and Malaysia.
Over the years, Bowling has written numerous books about sports, history, and notable North Carolinians. One of his best-known works is Wallace Wade: Championship Years at Alabama and Duke. The book tells the story of the legendary football coach who led Alabama to three national championships before coming to Duke. Wade went on to build one of the nation’s leading college football programs in Durham.
Bowling has also explored the history of other major college athletic programs. His books include Duke Basketball: A Pictorial History, Alabama Football Tales: More than a Century of Crimson Tide Glory, and North Carolina Central University Athletics: A History of the Eagles. These works highlight the athletes, coaches, and memorable moments that helped build each school’s athletic traditions.
His interests extend well beyond sports. Bowling has written several books about his hometown and the surrounding area. Among them are Granville County, Granville County Revisited, and Looking Back. These publications use photographs, historical records, and personal stories to preserve the area’s heritage. They also offer readers a glimpse into everyday life in earlier generations.
Another notable work is Sam Ragan: North Carolina’s Literary Godfather. This biography explores the life of the respected newspaper editor, poet, and supporter of North Carolina writers. Ragan played an important role in the state’s literary community, and Bowling’s book helps introduce his legacy to new readers.
In addition to writing books, Bowling has contributed articles and columns to several publications. His work has appeared in The Herald-Sun, the Oxford Public Ledger, and Go Duke, the Magazine. His writing reflects both his interest in history and his ability to make complex subjects interesting and easy to understand.
Whether he is writing about a championship football team, a celebrated North Carolinian, or a small-town community, Bowling focuses on the stories behind the facts. His books help preserve the past while making it accessible to today’s readers.
Through his work as an author, educator, and historian, Lewis Bowling continues to celebrate the people, places, and traditions that make North Carolina’s history so fascinating.
Mark Your Calendar
12/2/26 – Johnny Moore, Executive Director, NC Sports Hall of Fame, and Board of Director Elections
12/16/26 – Durham Sports Club Christmas Spectacular
1/6/27 – NO MEETING