By RICH FISHER
Contributing Editor
Red Bank Catholic graduate Kevin Bauman has a total of six career catches for 67 yards and one touchdown with Indiana’s Notre Dame University football team.
Modest totals, indeed, but statistics are not what measure the strong-willed Bauman. He is defined by the competitive fire that burns within and the faith that keeps him on an unwavering course.
When the Irish meet Ohio State in the Jan. 20 College Football Playoff National Championship game, the most courageous and determined player in uniform could be Notre Dame’s number 84.
Kevin Bauman (84) lines up at tight end against Purdue in the Sep. 14 game in which the Notre Dame senior recorded his first career touchdown reception. Photo courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics
After three serious lower body injuries, Bauman could have packed it in. But the Notre Dame senior felt blessed due to faith. He fought through three years of physical and mental anguish to play in 13 games this season on special teams and as a tight end in special package situations.
“It is almost surreal,” Bauman said. “Especially given a year ago I wasn’t sure if I would ever play football again. There was a lot of prayer, It’s really just a blessing. Especially with a group of guys and coaching staff at a school like this.
“I can’t help but say and feel how good God is. I was so close to never playing football again and now I can’t imagine (how I’d feel) if I made that decision.”
Persisting through Injury
As it is, Bauman is where he hoped to be coming out of RBC. He appeared destined for stardom back then, being rated the nation’s fifth best tight end and 130th best player.
But life went a different way.
As a freshman, Kevin played four games, then had an outstanding preseason camp as a sophomore. He looked ready to become the No. 2 tight end but fractured a fibula in the opener with Florida State. Bauman missed the season’s first two months and played sparingly in the final four games.
Frustration mounted three weeks into the 2022 season when Bauman tore his left ACL during practice. Undaunted, he went through a grueling rehab only to tear the same ACL in 2023 training camp, meaning he would miss the entire season.
That meant he played just 12 games in four years.
Every man has a breaking point and Bauman nearly reached his.
“The first one was tough, I wanted to be out there, but my mindset was ‘Hey, it’s an injury, it happens and I’m gonna come back and be better because of it,’” he said. “But when you get to the second one within a week of being cleared, that’s a whole new type of mental strain.
“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t some pretty dark days and some really tough times physically as well as mentally,” he continued. “You just try to stay as positive as you can. You keep the people close, who you’re close with. You pray a lot.”
And turn to the three Fs.
“My faith, my family and my close friends got me back to this point and really helped get me through those three years,” Bauman said. “Without them who knows where I’d be right now?”
Being at Notre Dame also provided a built-in support system.
RBC grad Kevin Bauman (84) waits for a play to start against Stanford in an Oct. 12 game. Bauman has overcome three serious knee issues and will be in uniform on Jan. 20 when Notre Dame takes on Ohio State in the CFP Championship Game. Photo courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics.
“There’s a lot of like-minded individuals here who are on a similar pass,” said Bauman, who has a bachelor’s degree in American studies and is working on a master’s in nonprofit administration. “It’s a special place.”
With the pain and sacrifice behind him, Kevin has been able to enjoy the Irish’s incredible ride that culminates at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Monday night.
Turning the Tide
None of it seemed possible on Sep. 7, when unheralded Northern Illinois sprung the season’s biggest upset by beating ND, 16-14. The masses called for coach Marcus Freeman’s firing and the team took a bunker mentality after enduring a social media beating.
“It was just ‘Hey we’re gonna be better because of this,’” Bauman said. “That (loss) has been our calling card moving forward. We still hold on to that wound and it ends up being a pretty special thing.”
ND won 13 straight since then, and Bauman caught his first career touchdown pass the next week at Purdue.
Notre Dame’s playoff march included wins over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and Penn State in the Orange Bowl. The Irish (14-1) are the nation’s lone FBS team with 14 wins.
“It’s been fun and we’re all enjoying it,” Bauman said. “When you’re talking about playing in the national championship, obviously it’s easy to look ahead. The thing that’s special about this group is we get lost in the work and the preparation. We’re good about staying in the moment. Whether it’s a practice, a walk-through, a meeting, a lift, whatever.”
When the moment comes to take on the No. 6 ranked Buckeyes (13-2), Notre Dame knows it will be a war.
“They don’t have any weak spots,” Bauman said. “They play hard, especially their defense. They’re talented up front on the edges, at the safety position, also the linebacker position, and at corner. We’ll have to take care of them with physicality and our scheme.”
As he prepares for the biggest game of his life, Bauman can’t help but appreciate the storied history of Notre Dame football, with Knute Rockne, the Gipper, the Four Horsemen, Ara Parseghian, Joe Montana and so many others. But he also embraces the school itself.
“I have the utmost respect and love for this place,” Bauman said. “I have a very unique relationship with it. With what this place has done for me, on and off the field in different aspects of my life; it’s invaluable. It’s incredible.”
And it helped make him strong enough to conquer every tough break that has come his way.