Charlotte Bowman was another of the many outstanding gymnasts coached by Joe Sullivan. She competed for the Flying Tigers gymnastics team in the uneven parallel bars, trampoline, floor exercise, and vaulting events.
She was the City Champion on the trampoline and floor exercise, and placed second in vaulting. Her senior year, she placed fifth on trampoline in the State of Ohio meet. In addition to Charlotte’s impressive athletic career, she was on the student council, secretary of her Junior class, a cheerleader for three years and was a member of the prom court.
Other highlights of her Stivers years were to be chosen to attend Camp Minnewanka, was a judge at the city track meet, helped Willie Lalk and James Lewis start the gymnastic team at the University of Dayton, assisted Hall-ofFame cartoonist, Milton Caniff, draw a caricature in front of the student body, and performed at halftime of U.D. basketball games. Charlotte was scholastically fifth in her class, was the 1968 Scholar Athlete of the Year and awarded a four year scholarship to Tennessee Tech U.
Unfortunately, after only six months at Tennessee Tech, Charlotte had to return home because the serious illness of her mother required her to assist in the care of her family. The Dayton Daily News hired Charlotte in 1969 where she met writer, Jim Babcock. They married in 1971 and are celebrating 47 years together.
They have three children; Lisa Babcock-Jackson, Darius Babcock and Kaslin Rousculp. Charlotte is very proud of the fact that Darius and Kaslin are also Stivers graduates.
She retired from the Dayton Daily News after 40+ years as Executive Administrative Assistant to the Vice-President of Advertising.
Most of her time these days is spent with five grandsons and enjoying every minute.