Tim Bauer

 

Head Coach/Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Operations

Coach Bauer took over the track and field and cross country programs as head coach in 1984 after completing a distinguished running career for Siena Heights and graduating in 1982. Bauer was an All-American Honorable Mention in 1980. He spent one year working in the private sector before returning to SHU in 1983 as a graduate assistant coach.

Bauer has had the opportunity to coach and work with over 140 All-Americans, 99 All-American Honorable Mentions, more than 70 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, nine National Champions, three Olympic Trials qualifiers and one American Champion (who was ranked as high as third in the world).

The Saints' running programs have won over 45 championships, including 28 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference titles, and had nine individuals win 10 national championships and two relay teams claim national championships during Bauer’s tenure. In addition, Bauer has had numerous teams finish in the Top 10 at the various NAIA Championships.

Coach Bauer was named Alumni of the Year during the 1999-2000 academic year. Bauer has also served as the President of the NAIA Track and Field Association and the President of the NAIA Cross Country Association. Bauer’s family include his dad, Norm, his brother and sister-in-law, Brad and Debbie, and their three children.

 

Kirk Richards

 

Assistant Coach

 

 

Kirk Richards is in his second season as head coach of the Siena Heights women’s track and field team. He is also in his fourth year as an assistant coach for the Saints’ men’s track and field team. Richards’ specialties include, but are not limited to, the pole vault, hurdles, jumps and multi-events. He is responsible for recruitment and overseeing the academic progress and eligibility of all student-athletes for the Saints. Richards also serves as Meet Manager for all home meets and acts as Stadium Director for Siena’s brand new state-of-the-art track and field venue, O’Laughlin Stadium.

During his three seasons at Siena Heights, Coach Richards mentored one American record holder, 28 conference champions, 64 NAIA Championships qualifiers and 15 NAIA All-Americans. Also, 19 Siena Heights collegiate records have been set by student-athletes under his tutelage.

Prior to joining SHU, Richards coached in the Michigan high school ranks for 18 years. During that time, he helped develop 14 regional championship teams in both cross country and track and field. He has also earned 42 conference championships as well as many individual state champions in pole vault, hurdles, distance, long jump and sprint relays.

During the summer months up until 2007, Richards coached local junior athletes in the multi-events. His athletes have enjoyed several top ten finishes in both the USATF and AAU National Junior Olympics. In the summer of 2008, his junior women heptathletes finished fifth and sixth at the AAU Junior Olympics and broke the State of Michigan junior record totals for the seven events.

Richards earned his Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Mott Community College and his B. S. in English from Oakland University. He has four children: Charlie, his graduate assistant coach earning his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Ben also attends Siena Heights, earning a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Leadership; Joe is a freshman at Siena Heights, studying Violin Performance and is on the men's golf team at Siena, and daughter Andrea, an accomplished golfer as a senior at Davison High School in Michigan.

 

 

 

Charlie Richards

 

Assistant Coach

 

Charlie Richards is in his first season as an assistant coach for the Siena Heights cross country and trakc and field programs. His main focus is the short and long sprint and hurdles events.

Richards is a graduate of Saginaw Valley State, where he earned a B.A. in Secondary Education. The native of Goodrich, Mich., is currently studying for an M.A. in Educational Leadership.

While competing for SVSU, Richards was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American in the 800-meter run (2009 and 2010). He was a four-year letter winner in cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field while assuming team captain duties.

Richards earned numerous accolades in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference -- three First Team awards, four Second Team awards and four honorable mentions.

Sara Jacobs

 

Assistant Coach

 

 

Sara Jacobs is in her second season as an assistant coach for the Siena Heights track and field team.  Prior to coaching, she completed her Bachelor's degree at SHU.   

During her throwing career, Jacobs earned All-American status in the weight and hammer throws. She held the SHU school records in both events, tossing the hammer 151 feet, 4 inches, and throwing the weight a distance of 50-10.

Jacobs was a five-time All-WHAC honoree and was once named Most Valuable Field Athlete of the WHAC Championships.

Last year, the throwers placed in 23 scoring positions at the WHAC Championships, including one thrower who claimed two All-Conference positions. Seven athletes competed at the NAIA Championships.

Jacobs is currently working toward her M.A. degree in Organizational Leadership at Siena Heights.