Buffalo State University Athletics

Jim Fowler has been part of the Buffalo State Athletics Department as both a coach and staff member since 1996, serving as the Ice Arena Manager, while taking on the additional duty of Athletics Budget Manager in 2009. Fowler was promoted to Associate Director of Athletics for Finance and Operations in 2021 while maintaining his role as Ice Arena Manager.

Fowler oversees all of the Athletics facilities budget, as well as the budgets for the individual teams, relating to coaches and staff salaries and general athletics purchases. Additionally, he is also responsible for the fundraising accounts of all the intercollegiate athletics programs.  He serves as the direct supervisor for men's and women's ice hockey, softball and facilities and equipment management.

The Bridgeview, Ill., native came to Buffalo State in 1996 as the second coach in the history of the men's hockey program, and guided the Bengals for nine seasons. During his tenure, the Bengals secured their first-ever State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playoff appearance in 2001-02. He also mentored one GTE Academic All-American, one AHCA All-American, six All-SUNYAC players, including one conference Player of the Year, a Hockey Humanitarian Award winner and 10 Eastern College Division All-Stars.

Fowler served as the interim head women's ice hockey coach at Buffalo State for the 2018-19 season.

Prior to his arrival at Buffalo State, Fowler coached at Fredonia State, serving as the head JV men’s ice hockey coach from 1993-1996 and as an assistant varsity coach from 1991-1996. During that time, the Blue Devils earned back-to-back SUNYAC titles in 1993 and 1994, while finishing third and second in the nation, respectively.

Fowler competed on the men’s ice hockey team at College of DuPage from 1987-1989 and was part of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship team in 1988. He continued his player career at Fredonia State during which the Blue Devils earned their first SUNYAC and ECAC bids. He completed his bachelor’s degree in history in 1992.

Jim currently resides in Lockport with his wife Jill.