This fund was created to honor Sandra Bauer Lay’s late husband, John W. Bauer, by providing academic support to future educators who have an involvement in and a love of sports.
John taught mathematics and coached a variety of sports at West Aurora High School from 1966 until his retirement in 2000. During his last sixteen years at West, he was West Aurora’s Athletic Director. As an educator, John was a strong believer in finding and developing a life balance between academics and athletics.
Eligibility is restricted to students who are college level students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year, with a preference for students in their senior year as they prepare to become educators. Students must be pursuing a degree in education with a preference given to those studying to teach mathematics, physical education, computer science, and/or elementary education. In addition, students must indicate that they have been involved in athletics during their high school and college years at any level or of any type, including intramural sports.
