Q&A with coach Baumer of Bellbrook High鈥檚 track and CC teams
BELLBROOK, Ohio — A Q&A with Bellbrook High School track and cross country coach, Mike Baumer.
High School attended: Fairmont East “77”
College attended: Wright State University class of 1982 & 1985.
Coaching positions: Fairmont East fall 1982 as Assistant HS XC coach, Head Junior high Coach, 15 years at Wright State, fall 1984 through Spring 1999. Bellbrook Cross Country since Fall 2013, Bellbrook Spring Track since Spring of 2015.
How do you define a winning season?
Mike Baumer: 鈥淭hat the athletes truly improve as athletes and as people. When they realize that fun can come from hard work and dedication.鈥�
What is your philosophy on running?
Baumer: 鈥淭here is no “quick” path to a goal. It takes time and commitment, sometimes years to get the results you strive for.鈥�
What is a key lesson you have learned in coaching youth?
Baumer: 鈥淣o day is ever the same, everyone is different and brings that each day.鈥�
What life lesson do you want your players to take away from your sport?
Baumer:聽鈥淎lways be ready for the unknown. Today prepares you for tomorrow.鈥�
Tell me about your favorite coach.
Baumer:聽鈥淏ob Schul, WSU, 1964 Olympic Champion 5000 Meters.
Favorite pro team?
Baumer: 鈥淐incinnati Reds and Bengals鈥�
When Mike was asked to coach at the high school in 2013, He checked with his wife, (of 32 years) Julie, as he knew that coaching would be taking time away from her. She said to 鈥済o for it鈥�. She thought it would be something he could do in retirement, which he still hasn鈥檛 done.
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