ST. JOSEPH, Minn. - The College of Saint Benedict tennis coaching staff was recently awarded with a pair of prestigious honors. Head coach Jack Bowe was named the Racket Sports Professionals Association's Northern Section College Coach of the Year award, while assistant coach Paul Bates was inducted to the Minnesota Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame. Additionally, Bates also received the RSPA High School Coach of the Year accolade. 

Bowe most recently wrapped up his fourth season of his second stint, and 12th overall, with the Bennies. In 2025-26, Bowe led CSB to a 6-9 overall record, including a 4-6 mark in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). He is celebrating his 40th overall year of coaching tennis this upcoming season. 
  "Jack Bowe has been teaching and growing the game of tennis in Minnesota for 40 years, and we are incredibly lucky to have someone of his knowledge and experience working with our Bennies," stated CSB athletic director Kelly Anderson Diercks. "Jack has coached all levels of tennis and has had a profound impact on the entire central Minnesota tennis community and the growth of the game." 

Bates enters his second season as an assistant coach for Saint Ben's. Over the course of nearly four decades, Bates has built one of the most accomplished and consistent high school tennis programs in Minnesota history. Serving as the boys' and girls' head coach at St. Cloud Tech and later St. Cloud Crush High School, the career reflects a commitment to excellence, player development, and competitive integrity.

Bowe and Bates also lead Saint John's University's tennis team.