THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507190165
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
MARK FOWLER'S athletic career at Nansemond-Suffolk was phenomenal. As a freshman, he rushed for 1,379 yards and was an All-State running back. He was also a member of four independent school state championship teams - three baseball and one football.
As a senior last season, Fowler batted .417 with 25 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. Recently, the outfielder and pitcher was named the Virginia Independent Schools Baseball Association player of the year in Division II.
``I was surprised to get player of the year,'' Fowler said. ``I've had a lot of honors in the past, but that's a great way to end my high school career.''
Fowler's great high school career could have ended after his freshman season when he broke his ankle in a car accident.
``I knew it was going to take a lot of motivation,'' Fowler said of his rehabilitation. ``It took a while to start walking on it and working out, but it wasn't too bad.''
Fowler was probably the only one who was nonchalant about his returning to sports.
``I really had a lot of concern about him coming back,'' said Ron Killmon, who coached baseball and football for the Saints until 1993. ``You never know how you're going to come back from something like that. Everything was tentative.''
Fowler made Killmon, and everyone else, a believer. He missed his sophomore football season, but returned for baseball and started in centerfield and batted over .300.
``Seeing everyone else out there playing made me want to help them and play more,'' Fowler said. ``It was great to get back. It was good to show that you really didn't lose anything. (After suffering an injury) you want to prove yourself and show that you're capable of what you did before.''
Killmon was impressed with Fowler's quick recovery.
``Mark could've just laid back and nursed it and felt sorry for himself, but he didn't make any complaints,'' Killmon said. ``It took constant work and commitment to get back where he was.''
Fowler will take his hard work and commitment to Division III Chowan College to play football and baseball.
``(Chowan) is close to home and it's a great opportunity for me to play,'' said Fowler, who declined offers from High Point (N.C.) College and Pfeiffer College in Maryland. ``Pfeiffer doesn't have baseball, and I wouldn't go somewhere to just play one sport.''
Fowler said a decision between the two sports would have been difficult.
``It's hard to chose which one I like the most,'' he said. ``I guess whichever season it is, that's the one I like.''
Killmon said he has high expectations of Fowler at Chowan.
``He'll be outstanding down there,'' he said. ``He's a player to build a team around in both sports. He could be dominating at that level.''
Terry Crigger, who has coached at Nansemond-Suffolk since Killmon departed, agreed.
``He could play anywhere he goes,'' Crigger said. ``He's the type of kid who goes out and does his job and is a leader through his actions.''
A few good seasons and some awards haven't made Fowler want to take some time off before heading to college, though.
Each morning, Fowler gets up between 5 and 6 a.m. to work for a construction company in Norfolk. He and co-workers pour concrete, put up frameworks and have to lift heavy metal beams.
``You get used to lifting heavy materials, but it's hot,'' said Fowler, who has been working for the company each summer since his father's friend offered him the job two years ago. ``Some of that stuff takes two or three people to lift.''
Fowler added that the work helps keep him in shape for sports.
``Sometimes we have to throw materials to guys 20 feet above us, so I think about pitching,'' he said. ``It really builds your strength.''
Not surprisingly, Fowler is ready to start practice at Chowan Aug. 9.
``I`ve had a great career (at Nansemond-Suffolk) and they've got some good players for next year,'' he said. ``But I'm happy to move on.''
If not to play football, to get out of pouring that concrete. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nansemond-Suffolk star Mark Fowler will take his talent to Chowan
College to play football and baseball.
An accident forced Fowler to miss football his sophomore year, but
he was a standout his junior and senior years.
by CNB