Spartans Shatter Records in Basketball, Football

Spartan student-athletes Julie Galauner ’21, MBA ’22 and Tyran Bailey ’21, MS ’22 overcame obstacles and setbacks to make AU history. They both broke decades-old records in their sports.

Julie Galauner ’21, MBA ’22  |  AU Women’s Basketball All-Time Scoring Leader

The Score: The shooting guard from Genoa, Illinois, set a new record as AU women’s basketball’s all-time scoring leader, surpassing the previous record-holder Dana Lettow Wagner ’97, who had held the top spot for more than two decades.

The Challenge: As a shy freshman, Galauner worked hard to push out of her comfort zone to become a leader. She had the scoring record in sight her senior year, when the COVID-19 outbreak forced the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference to shorten the season and dashed her hopes of reaching her goal. Then the NCAA granted another year of eligibility for all Division III student-athletes, and Galauner was thrilled to get another chance, only to face a second setback when she broke her finger at the start of the season and had to sit out several games. She just pushed harder when she got back on the court.

The Moment: Galauner broke the long-standing record at a home game in December with a driving layup halfway into the fourth quarter. As soon as she scored, she was surrounded by her teammates. “It meant everything to me, just to take that moment,” she said. “It was crazy. I was speechless.” Galauner went on to score 14 points in the Spartans 89–74 loss to the University of Wisconsin–Stout and finished the season with a career 1,878 points.

Tyran Bailey ’21, MS ’22  |  AU Football All-Time Rushing Leader

The Score: The Spartan running back from Oswego, Illinois, set a new record as AU football’s all-time leading rusher this past October at a home game against Eureka College, besting previous record-holder Ron Griffin ’92, who had held the top spot since 1990.

The Challenge: Bailey began playing football in seventh grade — a late start, due to asthma. Growing up, he remembers people saying that he wasn’t strong enough to make the team, that he wasn’t ready to play. He didn’t listen. He worked intensely in drills, in the weight room, and on the playing field. “My goal was to defy the odds and do what most people thought I couldn’t do,” he said. “My biggest challenge has been shutting down the outside noise and just focusing on what I do.”

The Moment: With just over five minutes left in the third quarter, Bailey made a 19-yard carry into the end zone, scoring a touchdown in the 49–7 win over Eureka College and breaking the 31-year-old rushing record. Bailey finished the season with a career total of 4,136 yards. He also set a new single-game rushing record with 295 yards, topping Geary Pryor ’04, who had been the career record-holder with 276 yards. Bailey said the records symbolize all the years of hard work and effort he has put into being the best player he can be.