A 6-8 forward from Sturgis, Kentucky who was part of the 1978 national championship team, Cowan played 111 games across four seasons under Joe B. Hall and averaged 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 1981 and earned NCAA All-Region honors during a career spent alongside Hall of Fame-caliber teammates like Kyle Macy, Rick Robey, and Jack Givens.