GULF SHORES, Ala. -- Longtime Siena Heights track and field coach Tim Bauer was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2021. The induction ceremony was held before the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships on Tuesday, May 24.
"This honor could not have been awarded to a better coach and person," said Siena Heights Director of Athletics Sue Syljebeck. "Tim has been invaluable to Siena Heights University and to me personally. His impact on NAIA cross country as well as track and field have been incredible over the years, but his greatest impact has been on his student-athletes."
Bauer has been a member of the Siena Heights community for over 40 years, going back to when he was a student-athlete. He finished his running career boasting an All-America Honorable Mention award in 1980. He graduated from SHU in 1982 and returned in 1983 as a graduate assistant before taking over as the full-time head coach in 1984. Siena Heights University honored Bauer with the Alumni of the Year award during the 1999-2000 academic year.
During his tenure, he has coached over 300 All-Americans, 100 All-American Honorable Mentions, more than 100 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, over 25 National Champions, three Olympic Trials qualifiers, and one American Champion (who was ranked as high as third in the world).
As a team, Bauer led the Saints to over 45 championships, including 30 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference titles. In addition, he has had two teams finish in the top four, numerous teams finish in the top five, and multiple teams finish in the top 10 at various NAIA Championships.
"Coach Bauer has been a tremendous coach and outstanding leader on our campus at Siena Heights over the past 40 years," stated former SHU Director of Athletics and fellow NAIA Hall of Fame Coach Fred Smith. "He is not only a great coach but a wonderful human being who is loved by the many that he has served as a coach and those he has mentored. It was a great privilege to have had the opportunity to have worked with Tim, and I am so proud that he is entering the NAIA Hall of Fame."
Bauer has spent his career positively impacting the student-athletes at SHU and representing his sports both locally and nationally. In addition, he served as the President of both the NAIA Track and Field Association and the NAIA Cross Country Association.
"Many congratulations to Tim Bauer on this outstanding honor," said SHU Vice President of Student Affairs, Michael Orlando. "Tim has humbly poured decades of love and talent into so many students and his peers over many decades of distinguished service at Siena Heights University. I admire Tim for how he truly leads as a Champion of Character. The heart of how he cares for each and every member of our community like family and the methods to bring out the best in so many should be a master class for us all."
