Grace Baczek

Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography

Photo by: Dale Mouton, Michigan Athletics

Position:
Defense
Height:
5-11
Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown:
Libertyville, Ill.
High School:
Libertyville

2025: Team captain … played in 13 games, made eight starts as a center back … played full 90 minutes in six matches … missed five matches due to injury … averaged over 85 minutes in starts

2024: Played in 17 games, 14 starts … made collegiate debut in season-opener at Kentucky (Aug. 15) … first collegiate start at Texas (Sept. 1), started every appearance since … anchored defense as a center back, playing full 90-minute matches 10 times … started all four shutouts, playing all 90 minutes in three of them … one of seven players to eclipse 1,000 minutes

2023 (St. Bonaventure): Transferred to Central Michigan from St. Bonaventure University of the Atlantic-10 Conference (A-10) … earned Dean’s List and A-10 Commissioners Honor Roll … did not see game action with the Bonnies

High School: Graduated from Libertyville High School in 2023 as a four-year honor roll student

Club: Played for Chicago FC

Personal: Daughter of Todd and Trish Baczek … has an older brother, Chase, and a younger brother, Caleb … father, Todd, played football at Northwestern (1990-94), made the New York Jets roster in 1995 … brother, Chase, is a two-time All-American in wrestling at NCAA III Wabash College (IN)

Why CMU?: “I chose CMU because of the opportunities and support provided by the University as soon as you step on campus. I am excited to compete in the highly competitive conference and look forward to the abundance of success this team will see moving forward.”