The Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame
Otis Cowan graduated from Galesburg High School in 1959 where he had started as a guard on the Silver Streaks basketball teams that finished third in the States tournament his senior year and as an infielder on the GHS baseball team. He enrolled at Knox College in the fall of that year and before his college playing career was over, he was selected first team, all-conference in basketball and baseball.
Otis was one of the most outstanding basketball players team his junior and senior years. He leads his team each year he played in assist and he still remains one of Knox’s all-time leading scorers with 970 total points. Otie, as he was known to his teammates, was a great shooter from long range but was equally quick to the basket on offense, played tenacious man-man defense, and was remarkable rebounder. His former coach at Knox, Harley Knosher, he said of Otie, “It’s clear if there would have been a three-point line at the time Otie Cowan was laying basketball, I’d have never him because he would have been playing major college basketball.”
His skills on the basketball floor were equal to his ability as a shortstop on the Knox College baseball team. He was an excellent line drive hitter, fast on the bases, and a nearly flawless fielding infielder. His range at shortstop extended from deep in the hole all the way to the second base bag. Otis lead Knox to the South Division Midwest Conference Title his senior year which also happened to be the inaugural season on the then new Blodgett Field. He signed a professional baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles after leaving Knox only to see his career shortened by injury.
Otis as an executive with the Illinois Power Company for many years before joining Ameren Corporation in St. Louis where he is currently manager of Community Relations. He now lives in Edwardsville with his wife, Carlotta, where among his many civic involvements he has served as the President of the Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce.
“Otis Cowan,” says Knosher, “is one of the finest players and human beings I have ever had the opportunity to coach.”
