By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Another Colonel Crawford student will be leaving the nest to pursue his academic and athletic endeavors on the collegiate level.
In the media center of Colonel Crawford Monday morning, surrounded by family, coaches, and teammates, Brad Bauer Jr. signed his letter of intent to run cross country and track for the Siena Heights University Saints.
Brad Bauer Jr., who will be studying actuarial sciences at the college, spoke about his choice of school.
“Really this was mainly the only college that I applied for and I really wanted to go here because they have a great actuarial science program,” Brad Bauer Jr. said. “They have a lot of insurance companies up there – that is what I want to go and do. So, I can get some internships while I’m up there, but also get my running crave in with cross country, indoor track, and track and field seasons. So I think I’ll definitely get everything I want out of a college experience while I am up there.”
While running for the Saints, Brad Bauer Jr. will have a family member helping him to reach his athletic goals as his uncle Tim Bauer will be coaching him at the university. Tim Bauer spoke about bringing his nephew to Siena Heights University.
“Besides him being a pretty good athlete he is a great student too. With a 4.1 GPA, we are excited because he has a lot ahead of him,” Tim Bauer said. “He will probably be manning the distance events and things like that. It’s exciting. I hope I am not too hard on him.”
Soon-to-be-former coach Jody Grove was happy for one of her players to be entering the collegiate level.
“I am really thrilled for Brad. It is going to be a good experience for him. He is going to add to the team. They have a pretty successful track and cross country teams up there,” Grove explained. “So, it is going to be neat to watch him grow as an athlete during his college years.”
Parents Deb and Brad Bauer Sr. were happy for their son.
“It feels great, he can do anything he sets his mind to it. He has always strived at everything. He has been a straight A student all through school. He’s just a great kid,” Deb Bauer said.
“I hope he works him to death,” Brad Bauer Sr. joked about his brother coaching his son. “Nah, I think it will be good for him to have someone push him hard and make him have the best come out of him that he can.”
Brad Bauer Jr. looked forward to running under his uncle.
“I really want to get a lot better. I think I have a lot more potential, and I can strive and hit some good times in the college field,” Brad Bauer Jr. said. “Definitely having him as a coach will be pretty nice. I can ask him anything, and it will be great. He will give me good advice and work me really hard. I am ready for this.”