Frank Bausch Explained

Position:Center
Birth Date:June 14, 1908
Birth Place:Marion, South Dakota, U.S.
Death Place:Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:220
High School:Wichita (KS) Cathedral
College:Kansas
Pastteams:
Pastcoaching:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:78
Statlabel2:Starts
Statvalue2:58
Pfr:BausFr20

Frank Joseph "Pete" Bausch (June 14, 1908 – April 6, 1976) was an American football center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Boston Redskins, the Chicago Bears, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the University of Kansas.

Biography

Bausch was regarded as one of NFL's top centers in the 1930s, being named first-team All-Pro in 1936.[1] During his tenure with the Bears, he became a close friend of head coach George Halas, who personally nominated him for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When Bausch was named the head coach of the Wichita Aero Commandos in 1942, Halas gave his blessing to the team and formed an agreement with the Commandos to become a farm team for the Bears.[2] [3] Bausch was a player-coach for the Commandos and Eagles before retiring from playing at the end of the former's 1942 season.[4] [5] After the Commandos shut down, Bausch remained employed by the team's owner Wichita Aero Parts Manufacturing Company and became an assistant at Wichita University.[6]

Upon concluding his involvement in football, Bausch co-founded Weyl-Bausch Tire Co., which became one of the top tire sellers in the Midwestern United States. He died of a heart attack in 1976.[7]

His older brother Jim Bausch played halfback in the NFL and won a gold medal at the 1932 Summer Olympics in the decathlon.

Notes and References

  1. News: Four Green Bay Packers, Three Boston Redskins Given Places on U.P. All-Pro Gridiron Team. The Davenport Democrat & Leader. Newspapers.com. December 18, 1936. February 15, 2022.
  2. News: Professional Football Will Be Started Here Next Month. The Wichita Eagle. Newspapers.com. August 2, 1942. February 8, 2022.
  3. News: Wichita Aero Parts Pros to Get Chicago Bears Talent. The Wichita Eagle. Newspapers.com. August 9, 1942. February 8, 2022.
  4. News: Aero Commandos face Camp Gruber this afternoon. The Wichita Eagle. Newspapers.com. October 4, 1942. February 8, 2022.
  5. News: Bausch will quit. AP. The Morning Chronicle. Newspapers.com. November 22, 1942. February 13, 2022.
  6. News: Pete Bausch named coach. The Wichita Beacon. Newspapers.com. August 17, 1944. February 13, 2022.
  7. News: Parson. Jeffrey. 'Little' Bausch left a big mark on sports. The Wichita Eagle. Newspapers.com. June 15, 2003. February 15, 2022.