Thomas Bauer played 3 years of varsity baseball for Niwot. He started both the 2004 and 2005 State Title games at 1st Base. His teammates will tell stories of the monstrous home runs to their grandchildren. While practices on the JV field could be tedious Thomas kept them awake by launching ball after ball onto the JV field some 400 feet away. Thomas will always be remembered for the most violent collision at home plate in Niwot Baseball history. Early in the State Tournament opener vs. Golden Thomas lined a triple into the right center gap and attempted to turn it into an inside the park home run. The throw was up the line and Thomas' football instincts took over. He was ejected, but the tone was set for the rest of the tourney; The cougars were there to play!

Thomas also starred for 3 years for the football team at Niwot High. He played Linebacker and Tight End. His ferocious hits caught the eye of the coaches at Northern Colorado. Thomas signed to play Linebacker for the University of Northern Colorado.

Thomas redshirted in 2005 and then finished 2nd on the team in tackles in 2006. Thomas transferred to play at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA. Thomas was named 1st Team All Conference at Saddleback as a Middle Linebacker.