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Ralph Schoenfeld, the long-time coach and educator in Saskatoon who credited Bowers as an early mentor at Bedford Road, talked in 2007 about the legacy Bowers was leaving.

“He’s a piece of work, but I mean that in a very good way,” Schoenfeld said.

“Boundless energy and total commitment, that’s the way I’d characterize Kelly. Nothing was beyond his capacity to coach and nothing was beyond his willingness to accept a challenge.”

Photo by Michelle Berg / Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Bowers retired in 2007 but remained a constant presence around Bedford Road, most notably serving as one of the key pieces behind the scenes at BRIT — which remains one of Canada’s most prestigious high school hoops tournaments.

He was inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and long served on the organization’s board. He was once named Kinsmen sportsman of the year.

He was often heard on the radio airwaves for Hilltops and University of Saskatchewan Huskies games. Bowers spent untold hours helping the Saskatoon Minor Football League and Kinsmen Football League.

Well into the 2010s, Bowers refereed high school as well as men’s and women’s basketball games in the city league. Bowers and Don ‘Butch’ Steponchev even refereed together in the third-place final at the 50th annual BRIT; the two had been around the tournament for every year of its existence.

Brian Towriss, the legendary former U of S football coach, said Bowers will be missed.

“Kelly’s infectious enthusiasm, work ethic and endless energy left a huge positive impact on the football community and the lives of so many young men and women in Saskatoon,” Towriss wrote. “May his voice and memory echo at (Gordie Howe) Bowl for all time.”

In a post to BRIT’s official Facebook page, Bowers was remembered as someone who “touched the lives of many young people with his passion and dedication to sport and encouraging students to get involved.

“We mourn the loss of a great man. His endless energy and positive attitude will be missed. There’s a massive hole that no one else can fill, and the hallways of Bedford Road will be a little bit quieter.”

ddeibert@thestarphoenix.com