Stephen Bayer

My name is Dr. Stephen Bayer, born in La Porte, IN on May 23rd, 1952.

Living in a small town of just under 22,000 in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, I grew up like many kids my age playing sports, riding bikes climbing trees, hunting down blueberries and strawberries with my parents on Sundays.

I have been married to my wonderful wife Pam, for 47 years and have two grown children and six grandchildren.

The purpose of my writing this book is to highlight some interesting, humorous and unusual sports’ superstitions that involve players and fans. I am now 72 and having played or been involved with sports in some way for 65 years. If you haven’t already done so, please check out my first book, Crazy Adventures of a Home Town Educator.

Following graduation from La Porte High School in 1971, I attended Purdue University’s Westville campus seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education.

Upon graduation from Purdue, and after one sub teaching assignment in late May of 1975, I was interviewed and selected to be the next sixth grade teacher and coach at Stillwell Elementary School in La Porte.

Following eight years of teaching, coaching flag football and boys’ and girls’ basketball, I was able to pursue a Master’s degree from Purdue University and also qualified for an elementary administrator’s license, allowing me to seek my first principalship. I was hired at Mill Creek Elementary School, which was a one section school (one class per grade level) also in La Porte County.

After three years at Mill Creek Elementary, I was hired as the new elementary principal at Handley School in La Porte, IN, where I attended as a student from grades 3-6. That was unique, but even more so, my sixth grade teacher and basketball coach, John Petrila, was now under my supervision. I soon realized the influence he had on me in my formative years.

After serving as principal at Handley for eight years, I moved our family to Columbus, IN in 1994. It was there, I became principal of a large elementary school called Clifty Creek. I served as principal there for 10 years, then moved to Mitchell, Indiana as the Human Resources/Bus Transportation Director and Assistant Superintendent for three years before moving to Greensburg, IN. I commuted daily in fulfilling the role as Human Resources Director at Fayette County Schools in Connersville, IN. I retired in 2017 but still substitute teach.

You will now discover so many humorous, weird and unusual habits exhibited by players and fans. I hope you will enjoy the read. Several of these stories you may have read but many are new and unique. I am very happy to share with you!