Submitted by Nikki Taylor, Bedford Recreation Department
To honor former Recreation Department Director Frank Bauman, the Recreation Department’s basketball league has been re-christened the “Frank Bauman Basketball League.”
Many members of the Bauman family were present, along with Selectmen Mike Rosenberg and Caroline Fedele, Recreation Commission Chair Ron Richter, parents, siblings, and players – each one sporting a new Bauman Basketball jersey.
In his comments Richter recalled fond memories of Bauman. “Frank did everything he could for the children of Bedford,” Richter noted, “and this league is a great tribute to Frank and his family.” He pledged to continue Bauman’s tradition of unobtrusively monitoring games by coming in quietly and watching from the sidelines.
“In December 2013, we said goodbye to Bedford’s first Recreation Director and our dear friend,” said current Recreation Department Director Amy Hamilton. “Frank served for thirty years, and was unwavering in his support of the youth of this town. His passion was youth sports, and he was involved with administration, coaching and as a proud parent. Frank coached and supervised the Recreation Basketball League for decades.”
Approximately 230 young basketball players in grades 4 to 8 gathered in the gym at Lane School on Friday, December 5 for the Bauman Basketball League’s inauguration. Games are played on Saturday mornings and every team has a 1 hour practice each week. League games will be played through mid-March with approximately 230 kids from grades 4 to 8, 45 volunteer coaches, and 29 high school students who are employed as referees.
“We could not run this program without the help of our dedicated volunteers,” said Hamilton. “We appreciate all of the support and hard work they put in to teaching the game of basketball to the youth of Bedford.
Hamilton continued, “The Basketball Committee has done a great job coordinating many things, including the formation of teams and the coordination of each age group. They work all year long to provide Bedford with solid basketball programming. Committee members include Brian Forman- President & Boys 4/5 Coordinator; Rick Proulx- Referee Coordinator; Pete Zorn- Girls 4/5 Coordinator; Paul Guarino-Girls 6-8 Coordinator; Tom Mulligan- Boys 6-8 Coordinator; and Mike O’Shaughnessy.
