Wyandot Sports Hall of Fame

Jim Bauer was Wynford’s first basketball coach, beginning in 1963. He had a winning record in all 13 of his coaching seasons, posting a 197-74 career mark for the Royals.
His Wynford teams won four NCC titles and six sectional championships and were district runners-up three times. He coached seven All-Ohio basketball players. Three of his Wynford teams finished with just one loss in the regular season and the Royals finished No. 3 in two state polls during the 1969-70 season.

Prior to taking the reins at Wynford, Bauer coached Jacksontown in south central Ohio and then at Holmes-Liberty from 1958-59, Danville for three seasons and Mount Zion in 1962-63.

His shuffle offense allowed the Royals to control the ball during critical times in games and his teams were known for tough defense, solid foul shooting and a pre-game figure-eight drill before tip-off.
Bauer served as Wynford’s athletic director for 20 years and compiled a career 280-130 basketball record as a coach. He served as baseball sectional and district tournament manager for several years, was president of the district coaches association for two years and officiated football for 20 years. He also served as an assistant baseball and football during Wynford’s first two years.

Born in Akron, Bauer graduated from Hopewell High School, where he starred as a basketball and baseball player. He attended Marietta College, where he was the last freshman to earn varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball in one year. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in administration from Bowling Green State University. in education

He now resides in rural Bucyrus. He and his wife, Donna, have three sons and a daughter, Jim, Crestline; Rick, Nevada; Jerry, Gig Harbor, Wash.; and Tammy Bauer, Boca Raton, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Bauer remains a Wynford supporter and is an avid fisherman.