Ralph Bowyer is a legend throughout New Mexico due to his winning coaching style, his passion for his players, and his outstanding citizenship.

Ralph coached Carlsbad's football team to eight state titles, from 1943 to 1967, along with basketball and track team state titles. Ralph Bowyer was born on April 11* 1914, in Albuquerque, NM. Growing up and going into college, he became known as an impressive athlete, lettering in track, basketball, and football.

Along with coaching, he was a vocal advocate for civil rights in a time when it was controversial. He spent his career teaching and coaching around New Mexico, in El Paso, Grants, Belen, and Carlsbad, and eventually retiring at Las Vegas NM, finishing off his career as the Athletics Director at Highlands University.

Once he retired, he traveled northern New Mexico with his wife, taking pictures of the scenery and eventually retiring in Albuquerque to spend time with his family. It was there that he died in April of 2005, after suffering a stroke. He is remembered by New Mexico and especially Carlsbad for his tremendous impact and passion for sports. Carlsbad High School's football stadium is named in his honor, a testament to how much Ralph impacted his community.