Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) has named Douglas Baumann the new Traverse City West Senior High School Head Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach.

A 1997 graduate of TC Central High School, Baumann played college basketball at Lake Superior State University and coached the freshman boys’ basketball team in Sault Ste. Marie. He helped with both the boys’ and girls’ basketball programs at TC West from 2002 to 2008, including serving as head boys’ JV coach and as a varsity assistant coach. Though serving as a Michigan State Police officer since 2008, Baumann has also continued to volunteer with the TC West girls’ program since that time.

“Mr. Baumann has the experience and the basketball knowledge to take our program to the next level,” says Jason Carmien, athletic director for TC West. “He has community roots and relates well with our student athletes. He will be a great fit for the TC West Girls’ Basketball program.”

Baumann steps into the position previously held by Mike Wilde, a long-time coaching veteran of Traverse City schools who died unexpectedly in his sleep in February.