Making His Mark on Athletics
3 MIN. READ
An Inspiring Student Athlete Story
Hailing from Buenos Aires, Joaquin Bautista is starting his sophomore year at Anderson University. Growing up in Argentina, Bautista found a tremendous passion for athletics at a young age. His love for sports led to him attending various clinics his father would organize as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader for their area. Fatefully, this is how his AU story begins. Former basketball coach, Owen Handy, led his squad to Argentina one summer and during their travels, they came across a young Bautista. The team and Bautista formed a bond in the brief time spent together. This bond planted the first seeds in his mind that AU might be a place to call home away from home.
When the time came to apply to universities, Bautista knew he wanted to attend a school in the United States. The process was a lengthy one. After all, this was a massive decision. Upon consulting heavily with his parents and meeting with AU’s dean of students and admissions team, he was ready to make the long trek to Anderson, Indiana. He described this decision as a “true leap of faith.” In his heart, Bautista has a deep love for Buenos Aires, and the small city of Anderson would be quite a change. However, this leap of faith “has worked out perfectly.” The culture at Anderson was just what he was looking for. He shares, “being able to meet new people every day, but also see familiar faces everywhere really gives you that sense of belonging.”
His first year at AU was one for the books. Competing in track and field and working as the AU men’s basketball manager, Bautista has continued to let his passion for athletics thrive. “I love just hanging around the game and the team. Jumping into practices is always fun.”
This love for sports doesn’t stop at just basketball. Like any true student at AU who loves sports, Bautista has gotten involved in several intramural sports on campus. Between basketball, volleyball, and softball, he hopes to bring an IM championship shirt back home to Argentina. As an exercise science major, Bautista hopes to take the skills and expertise he gets at Anderson and apply them back home. Once again, his love for sports and leading a healthy and active life comes pouring through.
While Bautista’s AU story is only just beginning, it’s had quite a colorful first few chapters. Over the rest of his AU journey, he’d love to continue to grow in his field, win some IM championships, and enjoy the food a bit more. He says, “the best food is in Argentina. I’m telling you!”
The AU family is tight-knit and couldn’t be happier to welcome Bautista.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.