Kirk Bauermeister

Steve Virgen

Most people who know Kirk Bauermeister associate him with baseball.

However, football is the sport that truly symbolizes Bauermeister, a

key figure in Costa Mesa High’s athletic program and, now,

administration.

For Bauermeister, football brought a greater sense of teamwork. He

took pride in being able to contribute to the squad in any way he

could. Even though he was 5-foot, 100 pounds, he was one of the

Mustangs’ most important blockers.

In the 1970s, Bauermeister was perfect for the overthrow block, a

method of clearing the path by going at the opponent’s legs.

“I was able to run straight through them, since I was so small,”

Bauermeister said. “Even though people equate me with baseball. I

stick with football. I think with football there is more of a bunker

mentality. There is a certain degree of respect that comes from

making it through the season with those teammates. In my sophomore

year, we were 0-10 and we were blocking fodder for the varsity team.

It was really good because you had to go out and put your days in at

practice and the payoff was getting to play a game. We have a society

that is more about instant gratification, but you have to grind it

out.”

During his first two years at Costa Mesa, football and basketball,

which was his favorite, helped Bauermeister become a better baseball

player. Baseball, which was actually his least favorite, was the

sport in which Bauermeister found the most success. He played on the

varsity team for three years, including 1978, when the Mustangs won

the South Coast League championship.

Soon after high school, Bauermeister became coach of the school’s

baseball team and later the athletic director. Baseball has been

important, but there’s more to Bauermeister’s life than balls, bats

and a diamond.

“Athletics in general have been important,” Bauermeister said.

“Most of the good things that have happened in my life have been from

football and baseball, and the relationships I’ve made. Most of the

people I know have a background in athletics.”

When Bauermeister was a sophomore, he met the late Paul Troxel, a

former coach at Estancia and later an assistant under Bauermeister at

Mesa. Back then, Bauermeister played quarterback for the Mustangs’

sophomore team, which was badly beaten by Estancia. Bauermeister

spent most of the game enduring sacks, aches and bruises. Troxel, who

was the Estancia varsity quarterback, watched.

After the game, Troxel walked over to the small sophomore from

Costa Mesa and commended him for his effort. So, a friendship began.

Battles, such as the one against Estancia, helped Bauermeister

form a greater respect for his teammates. The challenges also created

team chemistry and strong character, two of the many values

Bauermeister instilled in the countless athletes that went through

his baseball program.

“I wasn’t a big-league, championship-type coach,” Bauermeister

said. “I wanted them to go out and play hard every play and the wins

and losses would take care of themselves. With the parents, I

realized I was taking care of their greatest asset, their pride and

joy. I took that very seriously.”

As a baseball player, Bauermeister said playing on a league

championship team was memorable. Yet, he mainly remembers a error he

committed that led to a 2-1 loss to Mission Viejo. But that was the

type of situation Bauermeister drew strength from. Besides, Mesa

defeated Mission Viejo later in the season for the league title.

Throughout his years of playing and coaching, Bauermeister said he

held a respect toward the game and placed sportsmanship as a high

priority. Now that he’s Costa Mesa’s assistant principal, he misses

baseball, though he still helps out when he can, even with the

Mustangs’ freshman football team.

Bauermeister, the latest Daily Pilot Hall of Fame honoree, lives

in Costa Mesa with his wife, Denise. They have two daughters, Karli,

12, and Kelsi, 11.