New rec director eases into role

By

Sports

July 23, 2014 - 12:00 AM

As of late June, after one month or so of being Iola’s interim director of the recreation department, Jason Bauer has dropped “interim” off his title. Bauer, 34, was officially promoted to the position at a June meeting of the Iola City Council.
Bauer had been assistant director before he became the interim director.
“We’ve started reviewing the applications,” Bauer said, to fill the position of assistant director. “We hope to have something to take to the council the second Monday of August.”
Bauer began his career at the Humboldt rec department.
“I started there in 2010,” Bauer said. “I just enjoy sports and the kids. I started coaching when I was 14 years old.”
His days are full. When the youth softball and baseball seasons were going on, he typically worked longer than an 8-to-5 schedule. His duties as director vary by season. Currently, he oversees the municipal pool with the flag football to start soon. Sign-up sheets will be sent out soon.
Bauer also coaches flag football, basketball and soccer.
“The best part of the job is the interaction with kids. I get to know them and watch them grow into young adults,” he said.
He and his wife Courtney have six children combined, ranging from 7 to 16 and named Nick, Landon, Hunter, Jackson, Xavier and Dillon. He has four children, while Courtney brought two to the marriage.
“We’re always busy,” Bauer said.
At his job, he knows that he gets a lot of help from around the office.
“Kristy (Sutherland) taught me almost everything here since I’ve started,” Bauer said. “She’s been a big asset to me and the rec department.”
Sutherland has been working at the rec department for several years. Bauer also said that Jarred Latta and Clint Heffern have helped out during the youth softball and baseball season.
No longer the interim, Bauer has fully embraced being the director.

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