Vowels has been involved in intercollegiate athletics for the past 16 years, from working on campus in the athletics department, to working as a commissioner in various conference offices—most recently as commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

Instrumental in expanding the SWAC to 11 institutions in the 2002-03 academic year, Vowels also negotiated the first multi-year Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) football and basketball television agreement with Urban Sports and Entertainment.

He has served on the Division I Management Council and Division I Football Board of Directors. He was the chair of the Minorities Opportunities and Interests Committee, and is a member of the Boy Scouts Alabama Chapter Board of Directors.

Vowels holds a B.A. from Duke University, and a J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law.