Anyone who has played for UMD or attended a UMD sporting event in the last (almost) 30 years knows the name "Hoagie."Dale Haagenson has been volunteering as a team manager for the men's hockey, football, and baseball teams since 1981. Hoagie is a fixture with the men's hockey team, joking with the players and helping the coaches whenever it's needed.
On July 14, Hoagie will be honored by the Northern Sun Conference, parent league of the football and baseball programs.
Here is the information from the league.
Dale Haagenson will be honored with the NSIC’s Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year award during the 11th annual NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet Wednesday, July 14 at the Best Western Kelly Inn in St. Cloud, Minn.
The Noel Olson Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes the singular commitment of former NSIC coach and Athletic Administrator Noel Olson to the advancement of NSIC visibility, credibility, and excellence throughout the nation during his tenure in the league. The award is intended to honor individuals who, as volunteers, have made significant contributions to the NSIC as a whole. On a periodic basis, one or more individuals shall receive the awarded in appreciation of efforts to support the NSIC activities and/or athletic programs within any NSIC member institution(s) or the NSIC conference office. The award recipients are nominated by each of the NSIC’s 14 institutions and selected by the NSIC Hall of Fame Committee.
... Dale, or “Hoagie” as he is affectionately known, joined the University of Minnesota Duluth athletic staff in 1981-82 and since that time has dutifully volunteered his services as the team manager – and inspirational leader – for the Bulldog football, baseball, and men’s hockey teams. The Babbitt, Minn., native is a fixture at all home games and virtually all practices for those three sports handling various roles such as bat boy (while in complete uniform), kicking tee supervisor and puck distributor. He’s also been known to do a little sideline cheerleading when he feels the need to energize the crowd at James S. Malosky Stadium. Hoagie received the Bruce Bennett Service Award for exceptional service and commitment to UMD athletics in 2000 and six years later was the man of the hour at Hoagie Appreciation Night at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center during a Bulldog home hockey game. In addition, a men’s hockey scholarship bearing his name was established at UMD in 2006.
There couldn't be a better person on whom to bestow this honor.
As noted in the release, the hockey team honored Hoagie in 2006 on the occasion of his 25th anniversary of working with the team. Amazingly, we're already close to the 30-year mark.
Nothing beats going to practice, seeing Hoags, and knowing he's going to ask me about something random and probably not related to the Bulldogs. It might be Carl Pavano, or it might be something with the Wild.
He's one of the most recognized faces in Bulldog hockey history, and we salute him as he receives this award next month.
(Pat on the back: Rink and Run)
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