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Bryant & Stratton College - Wisconsin
Bryant & Stratton College
Tanner (right) and his father, Dean (left) after the Johnson Creek captured the state title.
Tanner (right) and his father, Dean (left) after Johnson Creek captured the state title.
December 22, 2025

Herman legacy to continue at Bryant & Stratton College

Tanner Herman's freshman season set to begin in 2026

WAWAUTOSA, Wis. —  The Bryant & Stratton College (WI) baseball team is busy preparing for the 2026 regular season and it will be a special occasion for athletes on the team, including Tanner Herman, the son of Bryant & Stratton’s head softball coach and Associate Athletic Director Dean Herman, who is preparing to begin his collegiate career. 

Tanner is coming off his senior season at Johnson Creek High School, where he slashed .453/.551/.568, according to wissports. But his love for sports began before that. 

“It all started during coach pitch in Farmington,” Tanner said. “After a year with that team, I transferred teams to Johnson Creek with all my buddies. I’d say switching over and playing with all of them has been my defining moment. Some players would say hitting home runs or making diving plays, but playing with my friends really sparked my passion and made the game feel greater.”

While playing alongside his friends, Tanner also drew on his father’s passion for athletics. 

“My dad has had a huge impact on my athletic career,” Tanner said. “I would not be as invested in the sports realm if it were not for him. He grew up playing all the sports and passed the love down. I owe a lot of my earlier success to him.”

Tanner’s passion ultimately blossomed and he found plenty of success with the Blue Jays on the baseball and football fields. During his senior season, he was named an honorable mention to the all-state team, the Trailways Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, and a WFCA All-Star. He was also a standout player on the basketball court. But now, heading to college, he decided to pursue baseball, which was not an easy choice. 

“Yes, [it was difficult],” Tanner said. “I found great success this past year, and could have furthered football in my future. However, when I made the decision not to play, I was sure that I didn’t want to continue.”

 

But it wasn't all for naught. His athletic career at Johnson Creek ended on high note when he helped the Blue Jays capture their first state baseball title since 2007.

 

 

“It was amazing. It was more than just the trophy or the celebration,” Tanner said. “It was a culmination of everything we’d worked for. There were so many little things that played into that moment. For one, we’d been playing together for what felt like forever. Growing up, we spent years building that chemistry, learning how to trust each other, and figuring out how to push each other to be better every single day. The off-season and in-season lifting. Every athlete is together grinding all for the same goal.”

Now the standout Johnson Creek athlete is at Bryant & Stratton, where he will aim to help the Bobcats bounce back from a 19-33 season. It also presents a special opportunity to grow as a baseball player. 

“What makes Bryant & Stratton baseball unique to me is the opportunity to develop both on and off the field,” Tanner said. “Being a JUCO school, it’s a place where players really get a chance to refine their skills while still having a solid support system. I decided to further my academic and athletic career here because not only is it a great place to improve and still be competitive, but the majority of my travel team are all committed as well.”  

Tanner Herman swings in state tournament.

He’s already had the opportunity to grow and mature after suffering a broken thumb in fall ball.

“The impact the injury has had on me has really only made me feel delayed from everyone else because while they’re working to prepare for the season, I was watching and working to get back…Recovery has had its ups and downs, and being the thumb, you don’t really think it’s a crazy injury, but being on my dominant hand, it’s forced me to adjust. I’ve never been injured, so being on this side of things has shown me the appreciation to be able to play.”

Playing at Bryant & Stratton also offers a distinctive opportunity to follow in his sister, Bella Herman’s, footsteps. Bella played two years for the Bryant & Stratton softball team and it would be easy to assume there’s pressure to follow in the two-time NJCAA All-American’s footsteps, but Tanner doesn’t view it that way. 

“No, Bella being an All-American does not make me feel any pressure,” Tanner said. “I’m looking to forge my own accomplishments and help the team create a culture.”

Tanner has been a competitor his whole life and he’s seen plenty of success. He will do what he must to continue that success, but he will also remain motivated and appreciative that he gets to play baseball at the collegiate level.

“Baseball to me is a blend of failure and success,” Tanner said. “It’s a game that constantly humbles you. But it’s in those failures that you learn, adapt, grow, and create success. The strive for success is addicting and it's what ultimately pulls me in. No one is handing you anything. [You’ve got to] work harder than everyone.”