Lyle Bauer

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Lyle Bauer
No. 59
Born:(1958-08-22)August 22, 1958
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died:April 26, 2024(2024-04-26) (aged 65)
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Career information
CFL statusNational
Position(s)G, C, CEO
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight275[1][2] lb (125 kg)
CollegeWeber State University
CFL draft1979, Round: 5, Pick: 38
Drafted bySaskatchewan Roughriders
Career history
As administrator
2000–2009Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2010–2013Calgary Stampeders
As player
1982–1991Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Career highlights and awards
HonoursBlue Bomber Hall of Fame (1998)
Source:[3]

Lyle Bauer (August 22, 1958 – April 26, 2024) was a Canadian professional football player and executive in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played as an offensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1982 to 1991. After retiring he served in executive roles with the Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders.

Bauer played college football for the Weber State Wildcats before being drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1979. He was ultimately cut from their roster and signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1982, when he made his CFL debut. He was part of the franchise's Grey Cup-winning teams in 1984, 1988 and 1990. He retired after the 1991 season and subsequently worked as assistant general manager of the Blue Bombers from 1992 to 1995. After carrying on other business opportunities for five years, he returned to the Blue Bombers in 2000 as president and chief executive officer, playing a key role in steering the team out of financial trouble. He later served as president and chief operating officer of the Calgary Stampeders from 2010 to 2013. Outside of football, Bauer was noted for establishing the Never Alone Foundation to help individuals with cancer and their families, after surviving stage four throat cancer in 2004.

Early life[edit]

Bauer was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,[4][5] on August 22, 1958.[6] His father worked as a firefighter; his mother was a homemaker.[1] He attended Mount Royal Collegiate in his hometown.[7][8] He then studied business administration in the United States on an athletic scholarship[1] at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah,[7] where he played college football for the Wildcats as a guard and centre.[4][9][10] Bauer was selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the fifth round of the 1979 CFL draft.[5][9] He subsequently signed with the team in mid-April of that same year.[11]

Playing career[edit]

During his brief stint with the Roughriders, Bauer was cut from their roster twice.[12] He played for the Saskatchewan Huskies during the 1981 season in between those cuts,[12][13] before signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in March 1982 and making his debut with the franchise that season.[10][13] In April 1984, he extended his contract with the Blue Bombers,[14] who won the Grey Cup that year.[4] Bauer's 1985 season was cut short due to torn knee ligaments,[15][16] which he sustained in a 31–10 win against the BC Lions on October 11.[17]

Bauer was named the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Lineman in 1988,[4] despite being part of the franchise's starting five tackles[18] that conceded 67 sacks, the second worst in the league.[19] Two years later, he was honoured as a division all-star.[20][21] He was a member of the Blue Bombers Grey Cup-winning teams in 1988 and 1990.[4] Bauer was inducted into the Blue Bomber Hall of Fame in 1998.[21]

Executive career[edit]

Upon retiring from professional football after the 1991 season, Bauer was appointed assistant general manager of the Blue Bombers.[22][23] He held this role for three years before stepping down to pursue other business ventures,[24] which led to him relocating to Calgary to become general manager of AgPro Grain.[1] He was subsequently rehired by the Blue Bombers as president and chief executive officer in February 2000.[25] At the time of his return, the team was languishing in financial debt of approximately C$5.45 million. Under Bauer's leadership, the Blue Bombers were able to initially reduce their debt to $300,000, before reportedly finishing with a positive balance of about C$5 million by the end of his tenure.[4][25] He was also instrumental in securing hosting rights for Winnipeg in the 2006 Grey Cup.[25] Bauer resigned his roles with the franchise on December 17, 2009.[26] During his executive career, the Blue Bombers played in the Grey Cup four times (1992, 1993, 2001, and 2007).[10]

In January 2010, the Calgary Stampeders announced that Bauer would be their new chief operating officer and president.[27][28] He held these positions for three years before resigning in January 2013. He cited the change in team ownership as the reason for his departure,[29][30] underscoring that it was not related to his health.[31]

Personal life[edit]

Bauer was married to Heidi for over four decades until his death.[20][32] They met while studying at Weber State.[1] Together, they had three children: Danni, Brodie, and Wesley.[32][20] He resided close to Slocan Lake, British Columbia, during his later years,[20] and maintained a winter home in St. George, Utah.[33]

In December 2004, Bauer was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer,[20][32] even though he never smoked or chewed tobacco.[25][32][34] He underwent 28 sessions radiation treatments and chemotherapy until February of the following year,[32][35] and continued to be present at CFL meetings despite being unable to speak.[35] Although doctors had given Bauer only months to live,[36] he eventually went into complete remission.[32] He consequently established the Never Alone Foundation in 2006,[32] in order to provide support to those affected by cancer as well as their families.[20][37] By 2016, the charitable organization had raised over C$1 million towards numerous cancer programs.[32] Bauer's battle with cancer also inspired his son Wesley to cycle across the country from Victoria, British Columbia, to Saint John, New Brunswick, over three months to raise awareness of cancer and money for the foundation.[38]

Bauer died on April 26, 2024, in Kelowna. He was 65, and was hospitalized with an infection in the weeks prior to his death.[9][39]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Foss, Krista (August 25, 2001). "'He thinks like a champion'". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. F3. ProQuest 384320770. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  2. ^ "Bauer takes over as GM of Blue Bombers". The Sudbury Star. The Canadian Press. February 16, 2000. p. B5. ProQuest 348630007. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ "Lyle Bauer football statistics on StatsCrew.com". Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Lyle Bauer, former Winnipeg Blue Bombers player and CEO, dies at 65". CBC News. May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Friesen, Paul (May 1, 2024). "Former Bombers CEO Lyle Bauer gone at 65". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "Sampras is preparing for Monday farewell". The Kamloops Daily News. August 22, 2003. p. A12. ProQuest 358424986. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ a b "Sask. connection: On board with CFL teams". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. June 13, 2011. p. C3. ProQuest 871927516. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  8. ^ Wolfe, Cory (November 22, 2007). "Saskatonians architects behind Bombers' success – Bauer, Taman also have links to Roughriders' organization". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. p. C2. ProQuest 348933942. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ a b c Tait, Ed (May 1, 2024). ""He was tough as nails, take no prisoners. And that was his life, too."". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Blue Bombers Mourn the Passing of Lyle Bauer". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  11. ^ "Sports Roundup – Football". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. April 17, 1979. p. P38. ProQuest 387132671. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  12. ^ a b Turner, Randy (November 10, 2006). "Blue's prez suddenly loves green". Winnipeg Free Press. p. C1. ProQuest 752137688. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  13. ^ a b "Roundup – Football". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. March 2, 1982. p. S2. ProQuest 386704188. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  14. ^ "Memo: Early Edition – Winnipeg". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. April 27, 1984. p. M9. ProQuest 386526220. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  15. ^ King, Philip (October 16, 1985). "CFL notebook Doctors clear Bomber loss". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. C4. ProQuest 386440717. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  16. ^ Matsumoto, Rick (October 17, 1985). "Regina laughing stock of even their own fans". Toronto Star. p. E7. ProQuest 435346890. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  17. ^ "Bombers sweep Lions". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. October 12, 1985. p. C4. ProQuest 386299428. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  18. ^ Harding, Mark (October 23, 1988). "Here's how teams look for Argo-Bomber clash". Toronto Star. p. E3. ProQuest 435789048. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  19. ^ Scanlan, Wayne (November 19, 1988). "Argos primed for Cup return". Ottawa Citizen. p. E2. ProQuest 239228546. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Taylor, Allen (May 2, 2024). "Bomber legend's greatest impact was off the field". Winnipeg Free Press. p. D1. ProQuest 3049567682. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  21. ^ a b "Lyle Bauer". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  22. ^ Pardoe, Brian (February 21, 1992). "Bomber boss may coach Bauer hiring increases speculation". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. C11. ProQuest 385394382. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  23. ^ Cowley, Norm (July 22, 1992). "Management suits Lyle Bauer". Edmonton Journal. p. D2. ProQuest 251847215. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  24. ^ Lawless, Gary (December 18, 2009). "A strong player, a top executive and a cancer survivor". Winnipeg Free Press. ProQuest 2547898991. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  25. ^ a b c d Tait, Ed (December 14, 2004). "Bomber president Lyle Bauer battles throat cancer". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. p. B3. ProQuest 348843487. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  26. ^ "Bomber boss may be Stamps bound". The Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on December 19, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
  27. ^ Cameron, Allen (January 19, 2010). "Stamps name Bauer to top job". Calgary Herald. p. F1. ProQuest 243942282. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  28. ^ "Bauer officially unveiled as Stampeders' president". National Post. Retrieved January 25, 2010. [dead link]
  29. ^ Maki, Allan (January 23, 2013). "Lyle Bauer resigns from Calgary Stampeders". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. ProQuest 2384137977. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  30. ^ "Stampeders president and COO Lyle Bauer resigns | Stampeders | Sports | Calgary Sun". Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  31. ^ Hall, Vicki (January 24, 2013). "Bauer says time to leave – Outgoing Stamps' president adamant health not a reason". Calgary Herald. p. F1. ProQuest 1280984643. Retrieved May 3, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h Harnett, Shamona (April 18, 2016). "Raising his voice – Oral cancer blindsided former Bomber Lyle Bauer; now he's playing defence to help others". Winnipeg Free Press. p. 3. ProQuest 1781954599. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  33. ^ "20 Questions with Lyle Bauer". Winnipeg Sun. October 13, 2018. ProQuest 2126915348. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  34. ^ "Bombers' Bauer has throat cancer". CBC News. December 13, 2004. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Taylor, Scott (February 28, 2005). "CFL lawsuit bites Lysko back twice – Former league boss ordered to pay for dismissed case". National Post. Toronto. ProQuest 330332301. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  36. ^ Odland, Kristen (July 28, 2012). "Bauer never one to back down – Stamps' president doing well after fight with cancer". Calgary Herald. p. HP2. ProQuest 1030172555. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  37. ^ Lunney, Doug (February 29, 2016). "Offering a lifeline – Lyle Bauer's Never Alone foundation is making a difference for those with cancer". Winnipeg Sun. p. A6. ProQuest 2229976146. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  38. ^ Babstock, Craig (July 29, 2009). "CFLer's battle inspires cross-Canada ride – Wes Bauer, son of Blue Bombers CEO Lyle Bauer, cycles across Canada to raise funds to fight cancer". Times & Transcript. Moncton. p. A1. ProQuest 423022292. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  39. ^ Friesen, Paul (May 1, 2024). "Leaving a legacy: cancer battle epitomized Bombers' Bauer". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
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