University of Valley Forge Athletics

Coach Bower is currently serving as the Interim Head Coach. He was given the Interim tag in the Spring Semester of the 2022-2023 Academic Year.

In May 2020, University of Valley Forge Director of Athletics Gretchen LeVan announced the new hire of Stephen Bower as Head Men's Soccer Coach. Since his hire in 2020 Bower has shown a passion for the program and recruiting. He has established the roster and has risen the level of the program over his first three years in charge. Bower has served the institution and department by filling multiple roles. He served as the campus and housing director before leading the Department of Athletics as Fundraising Coordinator. He has held interim positions for the men’s and women’s Cross-Country program, but he currently serves as the Assistant Director of Athletics in addition to his role as Head Men’s Soccer coach. 

In his role as Fundraising Coordinator, Bower was instrumental in helping the Athletic Department with their partnership with BSN Sports and NIKE. Additionally, he led in creating a deal with Phoenixville Area Soccer Club to help the university create The Forge (a turf indoor futsal field) for all our student-athletes to have access to. After transitioning into his role as Assistant Director of Athletics in 2022 he assumed responsibilities of sports oversight, Director of fundraising and management of all sports equipment.

Prior to Valley Forge, Bower served as Assistant Men's Soccer Coach and Reserve Team Head Coach at Arizona Christian University in Glendale, Arizona from 2017-2020. Bower was part of the staff that helped the Firestorm win their first ever GSAC Championship and first ever National Tournament Appearance.

During his stint at Arizona Christian, Bower led the reserve team, handled the logistics of ID camps and visits, while also coordinating the club schedule, and taking on the role as Academic Advisor for the team.

In addition to Arizona Christian University, Bower was the Head Varsity Boys Soccer Coach at Westview High School in Avondale, Arizona from 2015-2020. While at Westview, Bower led the Knights to be the Division 6A Southwest Section Champions in the 2017-2018, and 2018-2019 seasons, resulting in back-to-back State Tournament qualifications for the first time in 15 years. Furthermore, under his leadership, more than 25 Knights earned All-Conference/All-State awards, with 15 players going on to attend and play soccer at the collegiate/junior college level.

Bower graduated from Houghton College (Houghton, NY) with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Arts on Adolescence Education in May 2012. During his time at Houghton, Bower was a member of the men's soccer program.

Coach Bower resides in Paoli with his wife, Emily and their children Abigail, Lucas, and Olivia.