The shortage of bus drivers over the past year has caused sports to be left short a bus or without transportation entirely. For this reason, Cross Country Coach Matt Nienhaus stepped up. 

“The biggest reason is because, as the head track coach the last couple years, we’ve had horrible times trying to find drivers to take us when we need to go,” Nienhaus said.

The shortage of drivers has allowed Nienhaus to drive alot of the weekday trips for the track team. 

“And then next fall and next winter, if I’m not already doing something for Marquette, then I’ll do some other sport trips, unless things correct themselves,” Nienhaus said. “But right now, they only have three trip drivers for the entire district.”

Nienhaus trained with district transportation for six days, nine hours a day over the winter break. 

Nienhaus said he was interested in doing it, but Lisa Nieder, Activities Assistant encouraged him to do it after listening to his frustrations about the shortage. 

“So kind of jokingly, I said, well then why don’t you become a bus driver and then you could drive your own team and it solves all your problems,” Nieder said. 

After saying this in a joking manner, Nieder said Neinhaus was inspired.

“We dove in and got the information we needed to do it,” Nieder said. 

Junior Nathan Rampey, sprinter, said  Nienhaus driving will make getting to meets easier, especially for underclassmen who can’t drive. 

“It helps keep the coach with everyone and makes sure we are all together.” Rampey said.