(Instagram/baileyscheich)
When making the transition from college to the NBA, it’s important to have a strong support system. Fortunately for Sam Dekker, the former Wisconsin star has exactly that.
His dad, Todd, was his coach in high school. His mom, Carol, still calls him her “baby.” His older siblings, John and Hannah, serve as his “basketball-related contact” and “girl guru,” respectively. He’s a legend in his hometown. And his girlfriend, 21-year-old Bailey Scheich, despite attending a rival Big Ten school, supports his him unequivocally.
Here’s everything you need to know about the latter, who began soaring in popularity around the time Dekker was lighting up the NCAA tournament.
1. She Was a Multi-Sport Athlete in High School
(Instagram/baileyscheich)
Clearly not lacking athleticism herself, Scheich did a little bit of everything during her time at Dundee High School (Dundee, Michigan).
She ran track-and-field her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, competing in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4X100-meter relay, 4X200-meter relay, high jump and pole vault. Her time of 29.14 in the 200, which she ran as a freshman, is the seventh-best in school history.
As a softball player, she helped her team to school-record 36 wins as a sophomore, winning districts and eventually bowing out in the first round of the state playoffs. Even after graduating, she continued to show her support as her former team won the state title in 2013.
Scheich also played volleyball.
2. She Has a Rocket for an Arm
https://instagram.com/p/zVdMbEQixp/
The athletic gifts don’t stop there. Earlier this year, Scheich posted a video on Instagram showing off her ability to throw a football about a mile.
It’s unclear if Scheich, who attends the University of Michigan, is gunning for Shane Morris’ starting job.
3. She Is Pre-Med at the University of Michigan
(Instagram/baileyscheich)
Scheich just finished her junior year at Michigan, where she is pre-med and was the Fundraising Chair for the American Medical Student Association.
You’d think her being a Wolverine and Dekker being a Badger might complicate things, but the couple’s relationship appears to transcend Big Ten rivalries, as Scheich hasn’t been afraid to loudly and publicly support Wisconsin throughout the season.
“Thanks to this girl for becoming a Badger fan this season and being a second coach to me,” Dekker wrote on an Instagram picture of the two together.
4. Her Younger Brother Runs Cross Country at Central Michigan
Bailey (L) with her younger brother and sister. (Instagram/baileyscheich)
The athletic genes are prevalent throughout this family. Zachary Scheich, Bailey’s younger brother, holds Dundee High School records in both the mile and two-mile. He is now on the cross country team at Central Michigan, where he is a redshirt freshman.
Family appears to be very important to Bailey, who also has a younger sister and often posts pictures of her siblings on social media.
5. She Works at a Camp for Children Who Have Parents Affected by Cancer
(Instagram/baileyscheich)
Scheich works for Camp Kesem, an organization that gives necessary attention to children whose parents have been affected by cancer:
With 1.7 million cancer cases a year in the United States, there are more than 3 million kids affected by a parent’s cancer and Camp Kesem recognizes and embraces this often-overlooked population of children. Because they don’t appear sick, their needs are often over looked and they suffer quietly, leading to academic, social, emotional, and developmental problems.
She is fundraising for the camp’s summer 2015 sessions.
