Inducted 1997. Achieved Professional Success in U.S. and Overseas in Baseball.
Niemann, a 1979 graduate, was an excellent basketball and football player during his years at Notre Dame. He went on to achieve professional success, both in the United States and overseas, in baseball.
Niemann was a wingback and strong safety on the football team and was the most valuable player as a senior, leading the Raiders in scoring, pass receptions and interceptions. He was a guard on the basketball team and a shortstop on the baseball team.
He went on to Benedictine College and was a four-year letterman as a catcher. He was a three-time NAIA All-District selection and was also named to the NAIA All-American second team. He set 16 school records. including best career batting average and most hits and RBIs for a career and season. He also played for three summers with the Quincy Rivermen of the Central Illinois Collegiate League.
Niemann signed a professional contract in 1983 with the Kansas City Royals. He played with the Royals for 3 1 /2 years. He was a member of a Class A championship team in Fort Myers, Fla. He then played semipro baseball for three years with the Madison (Wis.) A’s and was an All-State catcher as chosen by the Wisconsin National Baseball Congress.
He also played two years (1987 and 1990) with the Geelong Giants in Australia, leading the league in hitting with a .411 average in 1987 and being named the league’s most valuable player. He played in an exhibition game of K-Ball (combination of baseball and cricket) that was televised on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
Niemann and his wife, Meleia, have two children – Victoria and Tyler. He operates his own construction company in Canton, Mo.