BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College Department of Athletics & Recreation is starting a new series to give an in-depth look into the members of the coaching staff each Tuesday. We begin the series with Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jesse Baumann, who is in his tenth year with the Greyhounds and has guided his programs to 36 Landmark Conference titles while earning Landmark Conference Coach of the Year honors 27 times since arriving at Moravian.
Jesse Baumann
College: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point '04
What is your favorite part of your sport? What you put into the sport is what you get out of it. If you want to be better, it starts and ends with your commitment.
How did your experience as a student-athlete help shape you as a coach? I remember the elation and gratification that came from the journey towards a goal. I initially went to work for the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after college, but I just didn't get that satisfaction from that line of work which was why I got into coaching. I wanted to try to assist other people in that same path towards the sense of accomplishment that's not often replicated in other facets of our lives.
What has kept you at Moravian for 10 years? When I came on my job interview, it really stood out to me how many employees had worked at Moravian for, in some cases, decades, or how engaged the alums were long after their graduation. There are myriad subtleties that are tough to articulate, but that long-term loyalty sort of sums it up. Additionally, we have the resources we need to be successful, and our leadership here is routinely looking for ways to enhance the great facilities, staffing, and opportunities we already have.
What is your favorite place on campus and why? I like the top spectator seats near the press box in the football stadium that have a great view across Bethlehem and of South Mountain. It's a great place to reflect or be alone with your thoughts, which I've done a number of times.
What is your most memorable moment at Moravian? There are tons of examples of this, but anytime when the process towards the goal wasn't a straight line, when our staff and the athlete(s) had to collaborate, experiment, struggle, etc. to get to the goal are probably the most gratifying memories. Dillon Farrell earning his first All American, John Spirk and Morgan Redmond making NCAAs, Mary Kate Duncan winning NCAAs on her fifth throw, Justin Beasley-Turner anchoring our 4x4 at Landmarks this February…I could go on for paragraphs, but all have that theme of an undulating path towards accomplishing the goal.
Do you have any pre-event/game rituals or superstitions? Oddly enough, no. I have enough paranoias and quirks that you'd think I would, but nope.
Sum up your coaching philosophy in one sentence? The onus for success is on the student-athlete and their commitment, so my role is to facilitate to the best of my abilities, but I'm unable to be the reason for a student-athlete's success.
What do you look for in a recruit? Intrinsic motivation, selflessness, humility, and from an athletic perspective that they still have a lot of room to grow. Strictly from an athletic standpoint, Division III is a lot about taking "raw" talent that hasn't been maximized yet and really enhancing it, so we often look for the "diamonds in the rough."
What is the best piece of advice you've been given? Never stop learning. With respect to coaching if you're doing the same thing you did last year, you're falling behind. Extrapolating that, my perspectives, values, and how I act are remarkably different from 10, five, even two years ago because I'm trying to learn and grow. I still have a long way to go!
Who are your role models/most influential people? Nobody in particular, however, I find myself reflecting on how a number of other people I respect handled a situation that mimics something I'm struggling with.
Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with? My grandfather who was a medic in WW2, and either Joe Newton or Al Carius who both built running dynasties by really cultivating incredible team camaraderie.
What have you done more of since March that you wouldn't have if sports had not been postponed? I've gone fishing maybe once or twice.
If you weren't coaching, what would you be doing? Likely working for a state environmental agency. At times, I've contemplated getting into some form of counseling as well.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people. Most people are surprised by my musical tastes. It's a little more aggressive than my personality otherwise suggests.
Quick Hits:
Favorite Color – Navy and Grey!
Favorite Food – I have a really bad sweet tooth.
Favorite Restaurant – I like eating at Penn's Peak up in Jim Thorpe, mainly for the view.
Favorite Movie – Shawshank Redemption and Dumb and Dumber are tied
Favorite TV Show – The Office or Game of Thrones, also tied.
Favorite Musical Artist – Always changing, but over the years the Smashing Pumpkins have always been up there.
Favorite Athlete – None really anymore, but Robin Yount when I was a wee lad
Favorite Pro Team – Green Bay Packers
Hobbies – Musky fishing
Most Prized Possession – my boat I guess
Ideal Travel Destination – Any secluded, scenic lake that has big, hungry muskies.
Your Spirit Animal – a Corgi
Superpower you'd Like to Have – I wish I could read a muskie's mind
