Dr. Bob Brower has been a tremendous servant of the PLNU athletics department during his tenure as president, playing a pivotal role in Point Loma’s transition to NCAA Division II and leading several capital projects that have improved athletic facilities and enhanced the student-athlete experience. In 2023, he was inducted into the PLNU Athletic Hall of Fame for meritorious service. This spring, President Brower received the Distinguished Service Award for Athletics.
Brower is a regular at Point Loma athletic events and is a staunch supporter of the department. Every year, he speaks to all student-athletes to kick off their welcome back meeting upon their return to campus before the fall semester starts.
One of his greatest legacies in athletics has been overseeing PLNU’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II and the PacWest. Brower even served as the chair of the PacWest Conference Executive Board in 2018-19.
Point Loma has twice won the PacWest Academic Achievement Award, including in 2022-23 with a 3.55 GPA, the second highest in PacWest Conference history.
Since joining the NCAA, PLNU has continued to excel both in the classroom and in athletic competition. In each year of eligibility, Point Loma has earned the NCAA Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence, including in 2016 and 2017 when PLNU led the nation with an Academic Success Rate of 99%. Point Loma has twice won the PacWest Academic Achievement Award, including in 2022-23 with a 3.55 GPA, the second highest in PacWest Conference history.
In addition to its academic achievements, PLNU has had plenty of success athletically, notably this past fall with women’s soccer winning the school’s first-ever NCAA national championship. Men’s basketball and baseball have also finished as NCAA national runners-up, while all 11 of Point Loma’s teams have competed in the NCAA postseason. The athletic department set a record with eight teams competing in the postseason in 2023-24. Three players have earned National Player of the Year awards and 13 have been named PacWest Player of the Year in their respective sports.
As president, Brower has led several capital projects on campus that have improved athletic facilities and enhanced the overall student-athlete experience while currently spearheading a campus master plan that will bring additional improvements and renovations.
Finished capital projects include the construction of athletic offices, turf replacement and increased dimensions on the soccer field, a newly installed track, resurfaced tennis courts, and a new digital scoreboard for soccer and track.
In addition, the baseball stadium had the entire playing field re-sodded, padding added to the outfield fences, and over 500 seats installed that were originally from Petco Park.
The seats added from Petco Park highlight the relationship Brower has helped develop with the San Diego Padres, who use PLNU’s biomechanics lab to gather data for their players.
PLNU’s athletic director reports directly to the president, who gives the final approval on staff hirings that have included 14 PacWest Coaches of the Year.
Brower’s leadership has a trickle-down effect on campus and in athletics specifically, as he highlights everything that Division II is about and what makes it unique. As President Brower prepares to retire, the entire athletics department offers him thanks and congratulations.
