Former doubles standout to be inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame

Clower was born in Jackson, MS, and raised in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He started playing tennis at the age of seven. In 2000, he won a double state championship and finished his high school career with a 69-5 record in doubles. Clower also finished fifth at the state tournament in singles his senior year.

Former Cowley College head tennis coach Larry Grose watched Clower play at a tournament in Ponca City, OK, and then offered him a scholarship shortly after.

"That offer, quite frankly, saved my life," Clower said.

Clower was a two-year team captain and was ranked fifth in the nation in doubles as a freshman and sophomore at Cowley College.

"Coach(Larry) Grose is the reason we were successful; he gave us all a chance and instilled teamwork and a passion for competing," Clower said. "We had an amazing group of guys on our team from top to bottom. We often discussed among ourselves being at the top of the pyramid. We won all the intramural sports, from football and basketball to even ping pong. We were just a group of guys that loved each other and loved to compete. On the courts, we played for each other, and it was special."

In his first year at Cowley, he was named "The Rookie of the Year to Watch" by the coaches at the national tournament.

He played No. 1 flight doubles and No. 3 singles at Cowley.

"I consider him to be in that very elite group of players that I would label as the 'Top Doubles Players' who went through my program," coach Grose said.

Clower was named the "Most Valuable Player" by his teammates.

"What a nice way to be thought of by your fellow tennis players as you leave the University with a fresh 'Diploma' in your hand and ready to face the old, cruel world," Grose said.

Clower moved on to a two-year career at Lamar University. He finished with a season-best 14-7 record in singles play and 9-9 in doubles at the number one spot as a junior. During his senior season, he posted a 12-6 record in doubles play and a 48th ranking in NCAA Division I. He became the first player in school history to accomplish that feat. 

Clower was a team captain in his junior and senior years and was ranked as high as No. 58 in the country in doubles. He earned degrees in history and kinesiology.

However, life was about to throw Clower an unexpected curveball as doctors diagnosed him with multiple sclerosis at just 23 years old. Clower has good days and bad while dealing with MS.

"When I was diagnosed in 2006, shortly after I got a message from God and he told me not to worry about it, just keep going, and that's exactly what I did and continue to do," Clower said. "My wife, Amanda, has also been a tremendous support system for my family and me this whole journey. There is absolutely no way I would be where I am without her support. Amanda has always been there to pick me up when I needed it and give me a kick in the rear when I needed it. Furthermore, my parents gave me the tools to be able to deal with my disease in the way I was raised. My parents were supportive of me, but never bailed me out of the fight. I was always pushed in my upbringing, but never bailed out of whatever situation I got myself into—lastly, my grandparents, who were always by my side from day one. I remember winning the state championship and looking directly over at my grandfather, who was wearing his goofy hat, and he smiled, which he rarely did. I love them, and I know grandad is smiling down from heaven at this very moment."

Clower always looked up to coaches, even as a young child. His mother, father, and grandfather were coaches, and it was something Clower always wanted to do.

"I think after I had Coach Goose (Larry Grose), I wanted to pursue a coaching career and make an impact on people's lives just like Coach Goose did for me," Clower said.

The University of Wyoming women's team welcomed him as part of the coaching staff in 2008. His symptoms under control, he became an integral part of the team's slow but steady success. He also contributed to the design of the school's state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor facility, built in 2011. His dues paid off when he was promoted to head coach in 2012.

Former University of Wyoming tennis player Christa Gecheva will never forget how Clower inspired her during her time at the university.

"If he didn't tell you that he had MS, you wouldn't know," she says. "He has something so serious, and yet he's able to get on with life without letting it hinder him in any way."

Clower has been voted "Mountain West Coach of the Year" by his peers twice, making him the first to do so. coach to win "Coach of the Year" in the program's history.                                                   

Clower holds the record as the winningest coach in the program's history with a 178-127 record. He has coached 14 different doubles teams and 24 singles players who captured All-Conference Honors.

The 2023 season was arguably the greatest in program history as Clower led the Cowgirls to their first Mountain West title in program history. Clower, who was named the league's Coach of the Year for the second time in his career, led Wyoming to its first-ever national postseason tournament, as the Brown & Gold played in the inaugural Universal Tennis NIT. Overall, the Cowgirls went 16-11 and 9-1 in conference action. Clower coached a trio of All-Mountain West honorees.
Wyoming has advanced to at least the quarters of the Mountain West Championship Tournament every season under Clower, while the 2024 team won the MWC title for the first time.

Clower was also named Director of the University of Wyoming's new on-campus tennis facility and played a key role in its design. He was also chosen to serve on the ITA's "Operation Committee". A position he held for eight years.      

Clower and his wife, Amanda, reside in Laramie, WY, with their daughter, Riley, and a son, Westyn.

He is humbled and honored to be selected for induction into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame.

"I don't believe this award is about me; however, it's the journey I had to get to this spot," Clower said. "It's about my parents, grandparents, my teammates, my family, teachers, and more who did so much for me to get to this point. Cowley is so special to me and many others like me. Cowley College saved my life and set me on the right path. I will always love Cowley and Ark City."