As Davenport University's Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, I am very passionate about building a successful athletic program that strives for excellence in the classroom, during competition and in the community. Commitment to academic excellence is our top priority. Across all programs, our student athletes have a cumulative grade point average above 3.25. We are extremely proud to have many All-Americans not only on the field here at DU, but also in the classroom.
We currently have over 500 NCAA DII student-athletes at Davenport University. It is our goal to create an environment that will provide our student-athletes with a great experience both academically and athletically.
Community involvement is also very important to the success of our athletics program. Davenport University student-athletes have given their time to numerous causes like Hurricane relief, school readings, community outreach, free camps and clinics, and Habitat for Humanity. We are very proud of their servant leadership and look forward to continued work within our community.
Davenport University continues to partner with many organizations and companies in West Michigan. These relationships are very important to the overall success of our program. We thank all of our supporters/sponsors for their help and look forward to building additional relationships within the community.
GO PANTHERS!
BIO
When Paul Lowden was named Davenport's Director of Athletics in 2002, he started with two programs (hockey and women's basketball). Entering the 2018-19 athletic season, Davenport will have 21 NCAA Division II provisional sport programs.
Lowden has been instrumental in the process of Davenport seeking full-time membership in NCAA Division II. The Panthers are entering their third year of a three-year process during the 2018-19 school year. The Panthers are not eligible for NCAA postseason play during the membership process, however, three different teams would have qualified based on results. Men's soccer won the GLIAC Tournament, while baseball and softball each finished runner-up in the regular season and tournament.
During the days of NAIA affiliation, the Davenport athletic department claimed six consecutive Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) All-Sports Trophies from 2010-2016. DU teams also captured 87 WHAC regular season and tournament titles under his watch. In addition, Lowden was named the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year in 2011-12.
The department also has brought home 28 team national championships, including four when Lowden was a head coach in the sport of ACHA hockey. Altogether, under Lowden's guidance, the breakdown is nine in cheer, six in women's rugby, four in hockey, two in dance, men's rugby, women's lacrosse and men's lacrosse and one in men's soccer. There have also been five individuals that have won a national championship including three in track and field and two in wrestling.
As a coach of the ACHA D2/D1 hockey team from 2002-2011, Lowden posted a career record of 308-81-13 while leading the Panthers to four straight national titles from 2007-2011. He coached two ACHA Player of the Year's in Adam Thomas and Bobby Collar and also helped many student-athletes gain professional contracts overseas in Europe through various Select Trips.
Lowden resides in Ada, Mich., with his wife Lisa. They have three children - daughters Kristyn and Kaitlyn and their son Kyler.
