Chalk Talk: Get to Know Sean Bauer

Nov. 10, 2014

Get to know senior Sean Bauer in this edition of Chalk Talk. Bauer has competed for the past three years in four events including floor exercise, still rings, vault and high bar. He holds a career high score of 15.500 on floor exercise. Off the competition floor and in the classroom, Bauer is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a three-time CGA First Team All-America Scholar-Athlete. He will compete in his final season in the Maroon and Gold this winter and is majoring in Sociology of Law, Criminology and Deviance.

Gopher Sports: Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

Sean Bauer: My parents have the biggest influence in my life because they have taught me everything I know and have helped me grow into the young man that I am today.

GS: Do you have any nicknames from your teammates?

SB: My teammates call me H.B., which stands for my middle name and my last name (Hallissey Bauer). It's a long story, but I got the nickname in club gymnastics when I was about 7 or 8 years old.

GS: What is your favorite gymnastics memory?

SB: My favorite gymnastics memory is getting 3rd place as a team at the 2013 Big Ten Championships at home as we went 30 for 30, not missing a single routine. It was an amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.

GS: What made you choose the University of Minnesota?
SB: I chose the University of Minnesota because of the school's academic reputation, the coaching staff, the team, and it just felt like home when I came on my recruiting trip.

GS: Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions?
SB: I hate that I do it, but before I salute I am always pulling on my leo to get rid of the nerves I guess. I barely even realize I do it, but I've seen it on film and I looked ridiculous.

GS: What is your favorite event and why?

SB: My favorite event is floor because I love the feeling of flying through the air, coming back down to hit the floor, bouncing back up in the air, and then coming down to stick my feet into the floor.

GS: Who do you look up to most on the team?

SB: Technically, I look up to everyone since I'm so short, but seriously I'd say Donnie Carper. I really respect our captains (Steve and Paul) and I look up to them, but I don't think Donnie gets enough credit for what he has been through with injuries and having his gymnastics career stripped away from him. The guy has handled it really well and been a huge help to the program this year working on coaching, video productions, and marketing.

GS: When did you start gymnastics? What made you continue participating?

SB: I started gymnastics when I was 3 years old on a tumbling bus, which is just a gutted school bus with carpet. I continued to participate because I had so much fun climbing around on things and as I grew up, I continued to appreciate the life lessons that gymnastics has taught me.

GS: If you weren't a gymnast, what sport would you participate in?

SB: Most gymnasts say they would be a diver or a wrestler, but I would definitely be on the football team. I mean, I'm practically built for football: 5'4, 150 lbs. That's an All-American linebacker right there.

GS: What is your major and what is your dream job?

SB: My major is Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Deviance and my dream job would be detective for a government agency such as the FBI, CIA, DEA, etc.

GS: What is your favorite social media site?

SB: I only use Facebook and snapchat. Most of my teammates have Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and all these other social media sites but I just can't keep up with so many things to check. I already hate how much I use my phone so I try to keep it to a minimum.

GS: If your life was a hashtag, what would it be?

SB: #bigthingscomeinsmallpackages

GS: What is you favorite Minneapolis restaurant and what do you order?

SB: Tony's Diner is the place to go! You can't go wrong with Tony's Basic Plus -- that's two eggs, hash browns, toast, plus your choice of meat. (I get the sausage....and sometimes a side of pancakes)

GS: What is the best lesson you've learned since you started college?

SB: The best lesson I've learned since I started college is to go out and try things. Life is too short to be worried about what other people think about you. Do whatever you want to do and be the person you want to be. Learn from your mistakes and whatever you do, try your best to keep a positive attitude and treat every day as a blessing because we never know if it will be our last.

GS: If you could be a superhero, who would you be and why?

SB: I think I would be Batman because I love how oddly deep his voice is and I really like all of his cool gadgets.

GS: Who is your favorite athlete?

SB: My favorite athlete is Jackie Robinson because he endured some of the harshest and most painful adversity I could ever imagine. He was a strong, inspirational man that wouldn't take NO for an answer and he stood up for what he believed in.

GS: What is your favorite holiday?

SB: July 4th because it happens to be my birthday and I love the fireworks.

GS: If your life was a dance move, what would it be?

SB: The Twerk. No explanation needed. Those who know me will understand.

GS: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

SB: I would love to have dinner with Will Ferrell because I love all of his movies and I don't think I'd be able to stop laughing if we sat down to break bread together.

GS: Is there a quote that you live by?

SB: I've always appreciated two quotes quite a bit in relation to sports. The first is silly, but it hits home for me since I'm a smaller guy. "It's not about the size of the dog in the fight, it's about the size of the fight in the dog." The second one is something quite profound from the movie Coach Carter. One young man says, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

GS: What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

SB: I'm not sure, but I went snorkeling in Hawaii. That was pretty cool.

GS: What is your favorite TV show?

SB: Brooklyn Nine-Nine right now is my favorite TV show: perfect combination of comedy and police work.

GS: What are your hobbies outside of gymnastics?

SB: I love watching movies, watching sports, or playing other sports outside with friends.

GS: If you had to listen to one song and one song only for the rest of your life, what would it be?

SB: "All of Me" by John Legend. I honestly could listen to that song for days. I love his voice and it's a meaningful song with a nice beat.

GS: What is your favorite part of performing at the Sports Pavilion?

SB: I love raising my hand to salute the judge and knowing that I am representing the University of Minnesota, a Division I NCAA school, and that 18 other guys are relying on me to do my best to help us win as a team. It's an amazing feeling to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

GS: If you had to describe your team in five words, what would they be?

SB: This team is resilient, enthusiastic, young, courageous, and dangerous!

GS: Name one thing not many people know about you.

SB: I taught myself how to throw and write with my left hand, even though I'm naturally right handed.

GS: Do you have any shoutouts?

SB: My shoutout goes to my family because they never get enough love and thanks for all the support that they have given me throughout my life as well as my gymnastic and academic careers. That's you Mom & Dad!!! And I can't forget my brothers Ryan & Andy! You guys are my rock.

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Sean Bauer

Donnie Carper

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