Bath Local Schools, 2650 Bible Road, Lima, OH (2026)

08/22/2026

Bath Local Schools is excited to recognize this years Hall of Fame Class: the 1987 Wildkitten State Champs, Dr. Arol Augsburger, Class of 1965, Jim Andrews, Class of 1969, Lisa Bradley, Class of 1983, Nancy Kizer, Teacher & Coach 1974-2004, and Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell, Class of 1966.

The Class of 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is Saturday, September 19 at 5pm in the Elementary. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting Missy Vandemark in the Administration Office: [email protected]. Cost is $25, and includes a catered meal by Milano's. Last day to purchase tickets is Friday, September 4th.

Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell - Class of 1966, Professional Achievement

A Lima native, Tom is a 1966 graduate of Bath Local Schools where he was active in the music and theatre departments. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio, Television, and Speech from The Ohio State University and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Tom was awarded the Doctor of Divinity by Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2007.

While in seminary, Tom was pastor of Dailey Chapel Christian Church in Rosedale, Indiana. Following his ordination in February 1974, he served at Hillcrest Christian Church in Dayton. In 1980 Tom was called as Senior Minister at Central Christian Church in Warren, Ohio. During this 13-year ministry, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Valley Counseling Center, and the Warren Symphony Society. He also hosted a weekly religious radio program for seven years.

After serving for 20 years, Tom retired as the Regional Pastor (Bishop) for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma in 2012. In addition to giving oversight to 167 Oklahoma congregations, he was a member of the College of Regional Ministers and served on the Boards of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, Phillips Theological Seminary, the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, and the Disciples Retirement Community of Oklahoma. He is past chair of the Oklahoma Communion Leaders and the General Commission on Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Additionally, Tom served on the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada from 1985 until 2012.

Tom has served on the General Conference of Disciples’ Men, the Alumni Board, and the Board of Trustees of Christian Theological Seminary, and as Coordinator for the Ambassador Program at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. He has been a member of the Companions of St. Andrew since 1995.

Tom’s career in ministry has taken him around the world. He made mission trips to Russia in 1984 and again in 1991, and he was a delegate to the Eighth World Assembly of the World Council of Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe (1998) and the Ninth World Assembly in Brazil (2006). In 2004 he was worship leader at the World Convention of the Churches in England and preached at Cane Ridge, Kentucky, during Sessions 2004. In 2009 Tom made a pilgrimage to the island of Hispaniola before returning to the Dominican Republic for mission work at Caminante in 2009 and 2010.

Tom has authored three books: Burning on the Bottom of the Pan (2017), a collection of sermons from his time as bishop; Growing Up…Lost Creek (2019); and Growing Up…Wildcat (2021), comprised of stories from his childhood and education at Bath Local Schools. He has also written two Christmas dramas: Martie’s Diner (2017) and Not to Worry (2025).

Tom and his wife, Kay, are the parents of daughters Elizabeth (Sean) and Sarah (Joseph) and sons Matthew (Erin), Adam (Jenny), and David (Kristi). They have 14 grandchildren.

08/21/2026

Tomorrow' s Girls Soccer game at Anna has been canceled and rescheduled for Sept 3. Boys Soccer will play Kalida starting with the JV on the turf at 1:00 with Varsity to follow.

08/21/2026

Bath Local Schools is excited to recognize this years Hall of Fame Class: the 1987 Wildkitten State Champs, Dr. Arol Augsburger, Class of 1965, Jim Andrews, Class of 1969, Lisa Bradley, Class of 1983, Nancy Kizer, Teacher & Coach 1974-2004, and Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell, Class of 1966.

The Class of 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is Saturday, September 19 at 5pm in the Elementary. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting Missy Vandemark in the Administration Office: [email protected]. Cost is $25, and includes a catered meal by Milano's. Last day to purchase tickets is Friday, September 4th.

Nancy Estes Kizer – Teacher and Coach 1974-2004, Professional Achievement

Nancy was born to Elvin and Betty Estes in Lima, Ohio. Her parents always stressed the importance of education to achieve goals. Nancy graduated from Elida High School in 1966. Nancy, her brother Mike, and sister Marcee were all first generation college students. Between the three of them, they devoted 116 years to the field of education. Nancy graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1972 and received a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Dayton in 1984. Nancy and her husband Bruce are the proud parents of four daughters: Sharla, Slone, Kira and Amber.

Nancy taught health and physical education at Bath Schools for 30 years and continued to teach in Florida after her retirement. She has been a life-long advocate of fitness, spending her career teaching at all grade levels. Nancy was the first girl’s tennis coach at the high school and started the first girl’s gymnastics team.

In 1982, Nancy decided to focus exclusively on volleyball. While success didn’t come immediately, she believed that the harder she worked, the harder her athletes would work. Throughout her tenure, she attended many volleyball clinics conducted by top collegiate coaches, Olympic team coaches, and athletes. A firm believer in the mental game, Coach Kizer implemented the use of mental imagery sessions after practices. She believed the mental aspect of the game gave her teams an edge, leading her to read many motivational books and incorporate them into her lively pregame speeches. Through her efforts to elevate the sport, volleyball began to receive more media coverage.

Coach Kizer’s mantra was “Dream Big, Dream Often,” believing that even average players could achieve greatness if they accepted their role and dared to dream. Her dedication paid off as her teams became some of the best in the community, region, and state. Over a distinguished 21-year career, she compiled 307 wins and 13 consecutive winning seasons, highlighted by three Final Four appearances in 1992, 1994 and 1996.

A six-time WBL and District 8 Coach of the Year (88, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96), Coach Kizer was also a multi-year recipient of the District 8 Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award. She also coached numerous District 8 All Star teams. Her accomplishments include an undefeated 22-0 season in 1988, which earned her the Coaches Achievement Award. She was also selected as Assistant Coach for Team Ohio, which included teams from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois in the first Mikasa Cup championship tournament. These remarkable accolades culminated in 2008 when she was inducted into the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Coach Kizer conducted numerous skills camps and team camps and she was the director of one of the first Club Volleyball teams in the area. Her motivational and teaching skills, coupled with talented players who believed in the dream, proved that the values instilled by her parents actually worked.

08/20/2026

There has been a change to tonight's girls varsity soccer game vs Rossford. The game will now be played at Allen East HS starting at 7:00 pm. Admission is free.

08/20/2026

Tonight's Girls Varsity Soccer game vs Rossford will take place on the turf field starting at 6:15. Gates will open at 5:30. Adult tickets are $8 and Students are $5.

08/20/2026

Bath Local Schools is seeking an Athletic Trainer. Please visit our website for updated information regarding this vacancy.

08/20/2026

Mark your calendars and join us for our annual Bath Community Tailgate September 4th 5pm to 6:30pm prior to a home football game. Free hotdogs, popcorn, drinks, with lots of fun for the kids! See flyer for details.

08/20/2026

Bath Local Schools is excited to recognize this years Hall of Fame Class: the 1987 Wildkitten State Champs, Dr. Arol Augsburger, Class of 1965, Jim Andrews, Class of 1969, Lisa Bradley, Class of 1983, Nancy Kizer, Teacher & Coach 1974-2004, and Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell, Class of 1966.

The Class of 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is Saturday, September 19 at 5pm in the Elementary. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting Missy Vandemark in the Administration Office: [email protected]. Cost is $25, and includes a catered meal by Milano's. Last day to purchase tickets is Friday, September 4th.

Lisa Bradley - Class of 1983, Athletic Achievement

Lisa Bradley’s dedication to faith and athletics began in Lima, Ohio, where she was born in 1964 to Lonnie and Carole Bradley. From an early age you could find her playing sports of all types and encouraging others to join her. Even as a youth, she always displayed an ability to pull out the best in people.

During her high school career at Bath, Bradley was a standout, multi-sport athlete. She competed in volleyball, softball, track and basketball. Her talent on the basketball court led to her rise in regional prominence. Lisa is the all-time scoring leader at Bath in girls basketball with 2,015 points. As a Wildkitten, she earned AA Player of the Year, Associated Press Northwest Ohio Team, Third Team All Ohio as a junior and First Team All-Ohio her senior year.

After graduating from Bath in 1983, Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois, where she competed as a member of the women’s basketball team. Lisa was a standout guard for the Fighting Illini, scoring 1,192 career points with 317 assists. She helped lead the program to three NCAA tournament appearances. She then earned her master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University while serving as a graduate assistant for the women’s basketball program, laying the groundwork for what would become a distinguished coaching career.

Next, Lisa moved to Oxford, Ohio, joining the staff at Miami University. After several years of building and honing her skills in various coaching roles, she was named head coach of the women’s basketball program, where she enjoyed much growth and success. In 1995 she led the Lady RedHawks to the MAC conference championship game, finishing as tournament runner-up.

Although her passion for basketball and athletics remains deep, Lisa had a profound call on her life to full-time ministry. As she expressed in her autobiography, For His Glory: “Basketball is only the platform by which God has chosen to show forth HIS GLORY in my life.”

After resigning her position at Miami in 1998, Lisa took on the challenge of instituting and coaching the men’s basketball program at what was then World Harvest Bible College (now Valor Christian College). During her tenure, VCC earned 2 national titles and one runner-up finish. It was a remarkable transition -from an NCAA Division I Women's basketball player, to an NCAA Division I Women's Head Coach, to a woman successfully coaching a men’s collegiate program.

More than the trophies and the titles, though, Lisa Bradley’s true victory is using the platform of the game of basketball to serve others, transform lives and fulfill her calling.

08/19/2026

Bath Local Schools is excited to recognize this years Hall of Fame Class: the 1987 Wildkitten State Champs, Dr. Arol Augsburger, Class of 1965, Jim Andrews, Class of 1969, Lisa Bradley, Class of 1983, Nancy Kizer, Teacher & Coach 1974-2004, and Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell, Class of 1966.

The Class of 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is Saturday, September 19 at 5pm in the Elementary. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting Missy Vandemark in the Administration Office: [email protected]. Cost is $25, and includes a catered meal by Milano's. Last day to purchase tickets is Friday, September 4th.

Jim Andrews - Class of 1969, Athletic Achievement

Jim Andrews was born September 1, 1951, in Lima. Jim’s father, employed by Nickles Bakery, relocated often; so Jim was constantly moving during his high school years, attending schools in Buckhannon, West Virginia and Centreville, Michigan before moving back to Lima. His father reported to Dick Walters, a 1959 Bath graduate, who had seen Jim play in Centreville, and made sure Jim would live in the Bath Township. The 6-foot 11-inch center played as a senior at Bath in 1969, where he dominated opponents by averaging 33.4 points per game and 18 rebounds per game. Jim Andrews holds the single-game scoring record of 50 points, as well as the single game rebounding record of 27 rebounds. The 1968-69 WBL Champs averaged 89.1 points per game and became one of the top-rated teams in Ohio, as well as nationally. Coached by John Ellis and Dwaine Holt, their historic 18-1 season remains a golden era in sports history.

Following his legendary run at Bath, Jim was recruited by multiple D1 universities. Jim decided the University of Kentucky best suited him to allow his talents to grow. Jim put together a highly decorated career at UK from 1970 to 1973, cementing himself as one of the most productive and historically significant big men in Wildcat basketball history. Jim was a two-time First Team All-SEC selection who led the Kentucky Wildcats with 21.5 points and 11.3 boards per game as a junior, and 20.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game as a senior. He is the last Wildcat to average 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in back-to-back seasons. Jim led Kentucky to three consecutive SEC championships in 1971, 1972, and 1973 during an era when freshman were ineligible to play varsity sports. Additionally, the Wildcats made three trips to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight in 1972 and 1973. Named to the NCAA All-Mideast Regional Team as a junior and senior, his 43 double-doubles rank third all-time in UK history. Jim was inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.

In the 1973 draft, Jim was drafted by the NBA Seattle SuperSonics as well as the American Basketball Association (ABA) Indiana Pacers. With the ABA slowly declining and an unviable Seattle option, Jim opted to play professionally in Italy and Sweden. Upon returning to the States, Jim coached as a graduate assistant for Coach Joe B. Hall, where he worked with several players who went on to win the national championship and to play professionally in the NBA.

After basketball, Jim became an executive for a Cincinnati-based chemical company where he worked for 35 years. During this time, Jim earned his MBA from Xavier University in 1989. Jim is married to his wife, Julie, and together they raised two children and now have two grandchildren. Tragically, Jim and Julie lost a daughter on Father’s Day in 2020. From this loss, they created the Julie Beth Hayden Foundation, which is dedicated to her legacy of counseling the deaf and hard of hearing.

08/18/2026

Bath Local Schools is excited to recognize this years Hall of Fame Class: the 1987 Wildkitten State Champs, Dr. Arol Augsburger, Class of 1965, Jim Andrews, Class of 1969, Lisa Bradley, Class of 1983, Nancy Kizer, Teacher & Coach 1974-2004, and Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell, Class of 1966.

The Class of 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is Saturday, September 19 at 5pm in the Elementary. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting Missy Vandemark in the Administration Office: [email protected]. Cost is $25, and includes a catered meal by Milano's. Last day to purchase tickets is Friday, September 4th.

Dr. Arol Augsburger - Class of 1965, Professional Achievement

Arol’s late mother, Eloise Augsburger, used to tell Arol, “You can’t do everything in a day, but you can do something.” That’s exactly what he did, one day after another, for over forty-seven years as one of the most influential optometrists of his time.

While at Bath High School, he earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball, and he performed in leading or supporting roles in Bath music and theater programs. During his senior year, his fellow students voted him as the President of the Student Council.

After graduating Bath High School in 1965, he attended Earlham College before moving on to The Ohio State University where he earned a cm laude Bachelor of Science degree, followed by award winning Master of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees.

Dr. Arol Augsburger was three times voted the Distinguished Teaching Award as a faculty member of The Ohio State University College of Optometry. He later organized advanced education and patient care programs for the contemporary practice of optometry. Through his collaboration with other members of The Ohio Optometric Association, he worked tirelessly to convince the Ohio Legislature to update its regulations on how Doctors of Optometry could more effectively use their education to serve Ohio citizens. His success in these and other efforts resulted in him being named the Ohio Optometrist of the Year, the American Optometric Association’s Optometrist of the Year and its Distinguished Service Awardee.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) then convinced Dr. Augsburger to accept the position as their Dean of the UAB School of Optometry. He continued his effective work, as he had in Ohio, and was named the Alabama Optometric Association’s Optometrist of the Year. The University recognized Dr. Augsburger’s effectiveness and named him Interim Provost of the University, the first optometrist to serve in such a distinguished position at a major health sciences and research university.

After nine years in Alabama, the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) named Dr. Augsburger as its President in 2002. He again repeated his success in improving and advocating for optometry on behalf of the public, and in turn, the Illinois Optometric Association named him their Optometrist of the Year. Numerous awards followed because he got “something done each day.”

None of this would have happened if Arol Augsburger had not followed his mother’s advice “to do something every day.” Nor would it have happened without the supportive foundation that Bath High School provided him as well as his future wife Stephanie DuGranrut (Augsburger). It was Stephanie, after all, who would run against Arol for Bath Student Council President. After an unprecedented three tie ballots, Stephanie, to this day, says she changed her vote and Arol was finally elected President. Had that not occurred and had Arol not enjoyed such an opportunity to thrive during his time at Bath High School, he may never have achieved the impressive professional career accomplishments that he was able to, one day at a time.

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