Kutztown University

ERIE, Pa. — Mark Bower and the men’s basketball team had their priorities straightened out.

With a chance to earn a trip to the Elite 8 on Tuesday night, KU had everything in line to win.

Mark Bower, right, and friend Mike Shannon hold up their catch of the day on the Salem Canal in New Jersey.

Not to knock him down, but we’re talking about the 6-foot-7 forward who bought a boat before buying a car.

“I’d have to ask my friends to borrow their car just to tow my boat to the river,” he said, with a laugh.

It may not seem like he had this well thought out, but seven years later, the graduating senior’s backward purchase has launched him toward a career he has always dreamed of settling in — professional bass fishing.

Bower, a native of West Deptford, N.J., and his friend, Mike Shannon, started their own fishing club, Primetime Anglers, and they hope to cast themselves on to the professional series someday.

“That’s my ultimate goal,” he said. “I’d love to pursue a career in bass fishing.”

Bower already has fished on the Stren Series and BASS Opens, popular fishing tours throughout North America. He also is a part of the New Jersey Federation Nation and has competed in tournaments on Lake Champlain, Potomac River and many other popular bodies of water.

His career was launched when he and his two friends, Sonny Pappalardo and Rob Cloud, were featured in a picture in Sports Illustrated accompanied with a story on Mike Iaconnelli, one of the top pro bass fishermen in the world.

“Iaconnelli has long been an idol for me, giving me tips and laying the blueprint to my success,” Bower said, adding jokingly of the 2006 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, “I hope to outfish him someday.”

No matter how many tournaments Bower finds himself in, nothing beats the Salem Canal in New Jersey, a personal favorite.

It’s one of the many bodies of water where you will find Bower during basketball’s offseason.

With the school earning its first berth into the NCAA Division II regional final, Bower and the Golden Bears have played basketball longer than any other team in school history.

Finishing his collegiate career like this certainly bests any day on the Salem Canal.

“This is the year to have,” Bower said. “I think it’s the picture-perfect ending to my four years here at Kutztown. Winning the conference, making it to the championships, this is all just great.”

KU has won more games than any other team in school history, 28 in all. The four postseason wins are unprecedented, as well.

The Golden Bears came up short in their bid for an Elite 8 bid, but nothing can take away from their run to the Sweet 16.

“I think we knew we could make it here,” he said. "We just wish we could have taken it further, but the run we made is just a testament to how well this team has played all season long."

Mark Bower, right, holds his framed jersey on senior night at Kutztown's Keystone Hall. He is accompanied by his parents, George and Maureen Bower.

Bower averaged 6.2 points per game on the season and came up with some big point totals in the playoffs, but he knew his role on a team that features two players who average better than 20 points a game.

“I was more of a role player,” he said. “I was able to step up a couple games. I’m out there to set screens. My success is not focused on my numbers. It’s focused on the team’s. If I’m doing my job, the team wins.”

Just like he did in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament, where guard Stephen Dennis scored 91 points in three games.

“I enjoy setting screens for Stephen Dennis,” said Bower, who thanks his parents, George and Maureen, for their support throughout his career. “When Stephen scores, it’s a success for me.”

Bower compares it to a lineman’s pride for blocking for a 1,000-yard running back.

His hard work in the frontcourt has helped his head coach, Bernie Driscoll, become the winningest coach in school history after nine years at KU.

“It’s great for coach Driscoll,” Bower said. “He’s our father figure up here and it’s great to see him succeed. He doesn’t like to put it out in bold, because he doesn’t want to take anything away from what we’ve accomplished out there. He’s the most deserving of it. He’s the first one to give us the shirt off of his back.”

And that’s a good friend, or father figure, to have, because who knows; Bower might someday need a tow to the lake.