Bauman Leaves Garden City for Trinity Valley

Trinity Valley Community College has turned to The Sunflower State to find its third head men’s basketball coach in a half-century.
Kris Baumann, who spent the last six seasons as head men’s basketball coach at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas, was Monday named to the position at TVCC.
Baumann replaces Pat Smith, who recently resigned after six seasons to return to Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Missouri as head men’s basketball coach. Smith had replaced NJCAA Hall of Fame coach Leon Spencer at the end of his 42-year tenure in 2006.
“Trinity Valley had many excellent candidates apply for the position,” TVCC President Dr. Glendon Forgey said. “Coach Baumann has been successful in a very tough Kansas conference. I have no doubt he has the ability, passion and winning attitude to be just as successful here.
“He understands the tradition and history at the Valley and is more than prepared to get us to the next level.”
In his six seasons at Garden City, Baumann posted a 120-75 record. His 2008-09 squad went 25-13, captured the Region VI championship and advanced to the national tournament for the first time in 53 years, finishing sixth. The 25 wins tied the most for a single season in the college’s history.
He was named Region VI Coach of the Year in 2008-09 and was selected to coach in the NJCAA All-Star Game.
Baumann, who served three years as head coach at Lamar Community College, prior to arriving at Garden City, has compiled a 170-120 career record as a head coach. He was 25-8 in his final season at Lamar.
He is 74-46 as an assistant coach in stints at Chipola Junior College, Tallahassee Community College and Garden City. He was an assistant coach at Garden City for one season before becoming head coach for the 2006-07 season.
Baumann has made his trademark on the recruiting trail. At Garden City, he has coached two NJCAA All-Americans and has had two players named Jayhawk West Conference Players of the Year. He has also had 10 players receive scholarships to NCAA Division 1 colleges.
At Lamar, he coached one All-American and had three players sign with NCAA Division I colleges.
“Not only does Kris produce outstanding players on the court, but his players also perform well academically,” Forgey said. “Helping players graduate is the most important thing a coach can do for his players.
“Kris and his players will be involved in the community and they will participate in a variety of service projects.”
Baumann is a native of New Plymouth, Idaho, where he helped lead his high school team to a state championship in 1993 and was selected as Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year in 1994. He was also selected to the prestigious Nike All-American Camp and the Five-Star Orange and White All-Star Game.
He attended and played at the University of Idaho, where he became one of the top three-point shooters in school history. Baumann was voted team captain in both his junior and senior seasons and received the prestigious Ronald White Award.
Baumann received his bachelor’s degree in general studies from the University of Idaho and Masters of Business Administration and sports management from Columbia Southern University.
“His teams play an exciting style of basketball and I encourage the community to come out and support the team next season,” Forgey said.
Baumann is scheduled to be on campus and in his Cardinal Gym office Wednesday morning. A formal announcement ceremony of his hiring will be held Wednesday afternoon.