Bowman Davenport

Bowman “Bo” Davenport was born to Bowman E. and Margaret Love Davenport. A native of Warren County, Kentucky, Bo graduated from Bowling Green High School before attending WKU. During his time at WKU, he majored in history and obtained his Rank I certificate. After serving in WWII and then graduating in 1950, he pursued a career as an educator in Edmonson County. During his time there, he coached the high school basketball team. In 1976, he led the team to the state championship game.

Bo was recognized several times for coaching. He was a lifetime member of the Kentucky High School Coaches Association and served as their president from 1973-1974. He was inducted into the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame in 1992, the Bowling Green High School Hall of Honor in 1993, and the Kentucky Basketball Coaches Court of Honor in 2002. He was also named as a National Basketball Coach of the Year, the Lexington Herald and the Louisville W.A.V.E. TV Coach of the Year, in 1976.

After his career in education, Bo became a member of the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association. He was a Kentucky Colonel, member of the “W” Club at WKU, and member of the Christ Episcopal Church. He was also the owner and operator of Bo’s Garden Center for 20 seasons. He was married to his wife, Mary Frances Davenport, for many years until his death. Mary Frances is also a graduate of WKU and spent many years as a teacher at Bowling Green High School. Bo passed away on November 24, 2003.

To honor his memory, Mary Frances established the Bowman “Bo” Davenport Scholarship Fund. The fund assists incoming freshmen at WKU who graduated from Grayson or Edmonson County High Schools. Through this fund, Bo’s legacy lives on in perpetuity.