A lifelong soccer player and coach, Dan Bauman played high school soccer for Coon Rapids High School, helping lead the team to two state tournament appearances and a conference championship. He continued his playing career at Viterbo University, where he competed for four years and helped the program earn a berth in the NAIA National Tournament.

Following college, Bauman played 15 years in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) at both the Division I and Division II levels. In addition to his playing career, he has dedicated the past 17 years to coaching youth soccer, focusing on player development, teamwork, and life skills.