The Crossroads League announced on Tuesday that Chris Bauman from Spring Arbor University had been named its 2018-2019 Sports Information Director of the Year. The award is the first for Bauman, who recently completed his fifth year as the SID for the Cougars.
JTV Sports | June 19th, 2019 | Gabriel Schray
Chris Bauman of Spring Arbor University has been named its 2018-2019 Sports Information Director of the Year. The award is the first for Bauman, who recently completed his fifth year as the SID for the Cougars.
Bauman and his department stayed busy throughout the 2018-2019 year, providing critical coverage of the success of multiple SAU teams and student-athletes on the national level. The Cougars won the NAIA Division II National Championship in men’s basketball, were NAIA National Tournament Semifinalists in women’s soccer and secured a pair of individual NAIA National Championships in track and field.
Without Bauman, nearly all of the stories that JTV has carried about SAU this year wouldn’t have been possible. At least not all of the unbelievable statistics and anecdotes that have been included.
“I am incredibly humbled to receive this award,” said Bauman. “I feel the sports information directors in the Crossroads League are some of the best. To be recognized in this group is a great honor. I also want to make sure I thank my amazing student-workers. They put in just as many long days and countless hours throughout the year. I could not do it without all their hard work and dedication”
In addition to covering several historic accomplishments, Bauman oversaw SAU’s hosting of the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round for men’s and women’s soccer. He also oversaw all three rounds of the Crossroads League Tournament for men’s and women’s soccer and two rounds for men’s basketball.
Bauman played a vital role in the improved visibility of SAU Athletics with the creation of the Cougar Sports Network and helped Spring Arbor claim 33 CL Athlete-of-the-Week honors and eight CoSIDA Academic All-American awards.
“Chris is an exceptional sports information director,” commented SAU’s athletic director, Ryan Cottingham. “He has played a key role in the transformation of our athletic department throughout our rebrand, marketing and promotion. Chris is a tireless worker who has greatly enhanced the visibility of SAU Athletics. We are so very grateful that he is a part of the Cougar Family”
The Crossroads League Sports Information Director-of-the-Year award is nominated and voted on by the 10 Athletic Directors from the Crossroads League. Previous winners include Marian’s Zach Wadley, Taylor’s Seth Mikel and Grace’s Josh Neuhart.
For more local sports news and information, you can connect with JTV on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This article was written by JTV’s Gabriel Schray. He is in his fifth year covering Jackson Area sports and news for JTV. You can connect with Gabriel on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as well. Images in this article courtesy of Spring Arbor University. This article is comprised of information from a Spring Arbor University press release.