By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
The director of Hamlet Parks and Recreation for the past eight years has resigned.
Mitch Bowman
Mitch Bowman, 36, said early Monday afternoon that “a different professional opportunity” presented itself outside of North Carolina. He declined to mentioned what the position is and where it will be. Bowman said he’ll work through the end of September and will oversee the start of the youth soccer season, which begins this weekend.
“I just felt like the timing could not be any better for me,” said Bowman. “Opportunity knocked at the right time.”
Bowman, a Hamlet native, “grew up and played every sport in Hamlet when I was a kid.”
He said being influenced and aided by adult volunteers and coaches “really took shape on my life.”
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to give back to Hamlet,” Bowman said.
As director, Bowman managed the youth tackle and flag football programs as well as cheerleading, soccer, baseball and basketball. He said soccer and basketball each averaged between 200 and 240 youth, while baseball averaged 250 athletes, cheerleading 140 and 320 combined in tackle and flag football.
Bowman returned to Hamlet eight years ago after leaving a teaching job in West Palm Beach, Fla.
The resignation is at least the third major departure for Hamlet, a city clearly in transition. On July 1, former City Manager Marchell Adams-David turned in her resignation to become assistant city manager for community in Raleigh. The next day, Miranda Chavis, manager of the Hamlet Depot and Museum and the downtown coordinator, resigned.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Mitch Bowman, Hamlet Parks and Recreation director, talks with parents and T-ball players in May about the importance of cheering on players of both sides. Photo taken Opening Day, May 16, 2014.
