Where Are They Now?
6/2/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The former Montana State Universitystandout and Big Sky Conference MVP is inher second- season playing in the WNBAwith the Charlotte Sting. Bauer, a 6-foot-4native of Hysham, has played professionalbasketball in the United States the last fiveseasons.
Things can get pretty political in the WNBAand sometimes it's a survival of the fittestmentality, Bauer said. But then I realizethat I get paid to play the game I love, in theUnited States, and they treat us very well.
It's a great opportunity and I want to play as
long as my health dictates.
Bauer, who began her professional playing
career with the champion Columbus Quest
of the defunct American Basketball League
in 1996, is considered a journeywoman.
After one year in Columbus, she played with
the Long Beach Stingray and helped her squad to the championship game. The next season,
Bauer signed with the Philadelphia Rage and played a few games before the league folded
Dec. 22, 1998.
The following summer, Bauer signed with Charlotte and impressed then coach Marynell
Meadors in training camp, eventually making the 11-women roster that was heavily comprised
of players from the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern Conferences.
People down here have never heard of Montana State, Bauer joked. It was a hard
adjustment for me, because if you're not from one the major conferences, it's tough to receive
the respect you deserve.
Last season, Bauer helped the Sting to their third straight WNBA playoff appearance, making
Charlotte and three-time league champion Houston the only franchises to accomplish the feat.
But despite playing on a team that advanced to the WNBA's version of the Final Four, and a
roster made up of Olympians and All-Americans, Bauer didn't feel any team chemistry.
Team unity, according to Bauer, was very important and evident in earning her two
championship rings with the 1997 Columbus Quest and 1993 Montana State University
Bobcats.
There was a lot of fighting last season and we were not very close, Bauer said. However,
I've been enjoying this season much better. People still go their
separate ways, but we do get together for cookouts. There's a lot
more camaraderie this season.
Last fall, during the WNBA off-season, Bauer lived with her older
sister Emily in DeKalb, Illinois. Emily Bauer is currently an assistant
coach at Northern Illinois University. To fill her week, Cass took a
sports management graduate class, nursed three days-a-week and
worked-out in her spare time. She also got engaged to Brent
Bilodeau, a minor league hockey player for the Johnstown, Pa.,
Chiefs, an affiliate of the Calgary Flames. They plan to get married
in Billings in August.
I'm really enjoying the experience of playing WNBA basketball, Bauer said. Who would've
thought I would last this long? I'm going to keep playing as long as my body let's me. My
ultimate goal is to get back to Montana.
Eventually, everyone comes home.
Things can get pretty political in the WNBAand sometimes it's a survival of the fittestmentality, Bauer said. But then I realizethat I get paid to play the game I love, in theUnited States, and they treat us very well.
It's a great opportunity and I want to play as
long as my health dictates.
Bauer, who began her professional playing
career with the champion Columbus Quest
of the defunct American Basketball League
in 1996, is considered a journeywoman.
After one year in Columbus, she played with
the Long Beach Stingray and helped her squad to the championship game. The next season,
Bauer signed with the Philadelphia Rage and played a few games before the league folded
Dec. 22, 1998.
The following summer, Bauer signed with Charlotte and impressed then coach Marynell
Meadors in training camp, eventually making the 11-women roster that was heavily comprised
of players from the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern Conferences.
People down here have never heard of Montana State, Bauer joked. It was a hard
adjustment for me, because if you're not from one the major conferences, it's tough to receive
the respect you deserve.
Last season, Bauer helped the Sting to their third straight WNBA playoff appearance, making
Charlotte and three-time league champion Houston the only franchises to accomplish the feat.
But despite playing on a team that advanced to the WNBA's version of the Final Four, and a
roster made up of Olympians and All-Americans, Bauer didn't feel any team chemistry.
Team unity, according to Bauer, was very important and evident in earning her two
championship rings with the 1997 Columbus Quest and 1993 Montana State University
Bobcats.
There was a lot of fighting last season and we were not very close, Bauer said. However,
I've been enjoying this season much better. People still go their
separate ways, but we do get together for cookouts. There's a lot
more camaraderie this season.
Last fall, during the WNBA off-season, Bauer lived with her older
sister Emily in DeKalb, Illinois. Emily Bauer is currently an assistant
coach at Northern Illinois University. To fill her week, Cass took a
sports management graduate class, nursed three days-a-week and
worked-out in her spare time. She also got engaged to Brent
Bilodeau, a minor league hockey player for the Johnstown, Pa.,
Chiefs, an affiliate of the Calgary Flames. They plan to get married
in Billings in August.
I'm really enjoying the experience of playing WNBA basketball, Bauer said. Who would've
thought I would last this long? I'm going to keep playing as long as my body let's me. My
ultimate goal is to get back to Montana.
Eventually, everyone comes home.
WBB - Montana State vs Portland - Behind the Mic
Friday, March 27
2025 Code of a Champion
Monday, March 23
Spring Football Preview Press Conference
Friday, March 13
WBB - #2 Montana State vs #1 Idaho - Behind the Mic
Thursday, March 12
