By Grace Fillinger
Jake Baumgartner or as you may know him “Bummy” is a senior sports management major on the baseball and football team. Baumgartner plans to continue his education after graduation at Bluffton University by getting his MBA while using the rest of his athletic eligibility to play baseball for another year.
As for whether he’s ready to graduate, Baumgartner has a familiar response among many other student athletes.
“I am, but I’m not,” said Baumgartner. “I think I’m ready to be done with classes, papers, projects, etc. But I’m not ready to leave this place, and not ready to be done with college athletes just yet.”
When it comes to who has been Baumgartner’s biggest supporters, he said his parents and his grandfather have been that for him. His dad and grandfather have not missed a baseball or football game since as far back as he can remember. His grandfather is the reason he began playing baseball, since he played for the Detroit Tigers Baumgartner figured this was something he could do as well.
“The look on his face when I told him [that he wanted to play baseball] 15 years ago is the same face I see on him when he watched me play today,” said Baumgartner.
When it comes to Baumgartner’s parents, they have been there his whole life and have given him opportunity after opportunity to succeed.
His parents and grandfather have not been the only people in his life who have supported and pushed him further. Coach Hill and coach Curnutte have been the most influential coaches throughout his athletic career. Baumgartner says that coach Hill and coach Curnutte were the biggest help in getting him to come to Bluffton.
“Coach Hill ate dinner at my house, and I did my overnight visit with coach Curnutte when he was still a player,” said Baumgartner. “I have since built great relationships with coach [James] Grandey and coach [Matt] Nardo.”
Another coach that has made an impact in Baumgartner’s life is his high school coach, coach Livingston. Baumgartner says that Coach Livingston had the biggest impact on him as a baseball player and as a person.
“I would not have been able to compete at this level physically or mentally if it weren’t for him,” said Baumgartner.
Since being at Bluffton, Baumgartner has made many memories with and without his teammates. One of his favorite memories with his team was during his sophomore year. This was the year the baseball team made it to the conference tournament. He says they played really well and were able to show a lot of people what they are about. Baumgartner said last year’s Florida trip was another great memory for him.
“I played some of the best baseball I have ever played in my life that week and hit my first college home run while down there,” said Baumgartner.
One memory Baumgartner recalls often was not with his teammates. This being when he was celebrating last year’s win against Defiance College with his friends.
Some things many may not know about Baumgartner are the fact that he learned how to cut hair during covid. Now three years later he has cut roughly 20 people’s hair on campus. Some may not know that Baumgartner is very artistic and has painted cleats for himself and his teammates. He is also a pretty good cook and takes influence from his dad who attended culinary school.
Baumgartner has a message for the underclassman before he graduates.
“Just enjoy the experience because you only get to have it once. These are the best times of your life, you’ll meet people that are going to be at your wedding, build relationships that will last a lifetime, and make so many memories that you will never forget,” said Baumgartner.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story referred to Jake as Jacob. The Witmarsum regrets the error.
