Stephen Baumbusch, Mainstay in the Team Handball Community in the US, Passes Away

Stephen Baumbusch, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, passed away on December 17, 2023 at the age of 55 years old. Baumbusch was recognizable by many in the team handball community, being involved in the sport for close to four decades.

Baumbusch began playing handball at the age of 14 with the Flanders, New Jersey-based Swim and Sport Club (SSC) and would play with their team into his early 40’s. In September 1989, he was selected to represent the USA at the Junior World Championships held in Spain, where the United States finished in 16th place. 

After his competitive playing career, Baumbusch began refereeing the sport at various tournaments across the nation, specifically under the Northeast Team Handball League umbrella. He was also selected countless times to referee the playoff and championship matches of the annual SSC SportsFest, where he also would occasionally play with the Swim and Sports Club team. 

Along with Baumbusch’s longtime ties to the SSC program, he was involved with the Penn State University Handball Club, while his son Ryan was a student at PSU and playing handball for the Nittany Lions.  

His legacy will live on at the Swim and Sport Club and in the hearts of many in our sport that he touched.