University of Minnesota Athletics
A Family Affair; Gopher Sophomore Jeff Hagen
11/15/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
"I grew up watching the Gophers on T.V. and as soon as they came to talk to me I knew I was coming here, whether it was walking-on or scholarship, it didn't matter I was coming here," Hagen said. "There was no question in my mind, I blocked out all other schools."
Hagen, who was an all-state performer for Hopkins High School, turned down scholarships to Colorado State, Northern Iowa and Augustana to walk-on the Minnesota basketball team. It really shouldn't come as that much of a surprise when you consider Hagen was geared towards the U all of his life.
Hagen's 6-8 father, Richard, who grew up in Richfield, attended the University and was the final cut on the Golden Gopher basketball team in the early 1970's. Other family ties include Hagen's grandfather, who went to Minnesota and his sister Stephanie, who is an All-American standout on the Golden Gopher volleyball team. All were major factors in his decision.
"It was something that he really wanted to do," Stephanie said. "I would go home and tell the family how much I loved it here and I think he saw that. My parents have wanted him to come here and it just felt right."
Hagen had originally planned to redshirt last season, but when the Gophers were in need of a presence in the post, they called upon their untested freshman. Hagen played in 26 games, including two starts against Michigan State and Penn State, averaging just 1.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game, but provided valuable physical size who could battle in the post and run the floor. It was also a great experience for Hagen, who knows he will need to improve if he wants to contend with his very powerful conterparts.
"It was painful at times," Hagen said. "I definitely got thrown around. There are some strong fellows out there."
In his first collegiate game, Hagen came off the bench to score a career-high 11 points, including a 7-of-8 performace from the free-throw line against UNC-Greensboro.
"It was super exciting seeing him play," Stephanie said. "I was surprised, but I knew he could do it. He was good in high school, but I knew he was going to get better. It was a surprise that he was starting in his first year, though."
With the emergence of freshman Rick Rickert and junior college transfer Jerry Holman in the post, once again the Minnesota coaching staff plans on redshirting Hagen with hopes that he will be able to add more muscle to his 250-pound frame. The move will be beneficial for both the program and Hagen as it appears likely he will be placed on scholarship down the line.
"I think everybody is happy with me redshirting," Hagen said. "We know the upside is brighter in the future.
"I'm going to be a much better player with some added strength. I'm not going to be able to out-jump very many people in the conference, so I'm going to have to get stronger to be able to play on the floor with them."
Even though Hagen will be watching from the end of the bench in dress clothes, he will be able to use the experience he gained last season in the future, just like he used his high school experience during his freshman campaign. Hagen was no stranger to Williams Arena even prior to his first game in a Golden Gopher jersey.
Hagen first played in Williams Arena as he led Hopkins to the state tournament his junior year. As a senior, Hagen and Hopkins lost to now Gopher teammate Brent Lawson's Maple Grove team in the regional final.
"We had beaten them by 20 earlier in the year and Brent was their leading scorer," Hagen said. "He always reminds me of that one."
In his final two years at Hopkins, Hagen led the Royals to 44 victories. During his senior season, Hagen was named all-conference and all-state averaging 16.2 points and nine rebounds a game. He was a handful for everyone he faced as he bettered both the 300-point (389) and 300-rebound (331) mark his final year as a prep. As a younger player though, it was older sister, Stephanie that had the upper hand.
"I used to play him when we were little and I would beat him and then he got bigger and I stopped playing him," Stephanie said jokingly. "Things got a little too competitive, but now I realize that he would beat me. He's horrible at volleyball, so I could always beat him at that. It felt good to hit one in his face."
Hagen agrees with Stephanie's opinion on his volleyball prowess and her unwillingness to play him in basketball.
"She would never play me in basketball, because she would accuse me of intentionally fouling her," Hagen said. "So we would play volleyball and she would just kill me. Volleyball definitely doesn't run in the family, I'm pathetic at it."
Despite the competitiveness of the two, the family is very close. Every Sunday, Jeff, Stephanie, along with their parents Richard and Kristen get together at a restaurant between the campus and Minnetonka for dinner.
"We've gotten a lot closer, now were friends, not just brother and sister," Stephanie said. "It's a lot of fun hanging out with him."
Unfortunately, fans will only be able to see Hagen hanging out cheering on his teammates from the sidelines. Rest assured he will be back with a mission next season.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Intern Scott Johnson People closely affiliated to the University of Minnesota men's basketball program often refers to it as a family. That is certainly evident when you consider Golden Gopher sophomore Jeff Hagen. The 6-11 center from Minnetonka turned down full-ride scholarship offers to stay close to home, his family and fulfill a dream of playing for the Gophers.
"I grew up watching the Gophers on T.V. and as soon as they came to talk to me I knew I was coming here, whether it was walking-on or scholarship, it didn't matter I was coming here," Hagen said. "There was no question in my mind, I blocked out all other schools."
Hagen, who was an all-state performer for Hopkins High School, turned down scholarships to Colorado State, Northern Iowa and Augustana to walk-on the Minnesota basketball team. It really shouldn't come as that much of a surprise when you consider Hagen was geared towards the U all of his life.
Hagen's 6-8 father, Richard, who grew up in Richfield, attended the University and was the final cut on the Golden Gopher basketball team in the early 1970's. Other family ties include Hagen's grandfather, who went to Minnesota and his sister Stephanie, who is an All-American standout on the Golden Gopher volleyball team. All were major factors in his decision.
"It was something that he really wanted to do," Stephanie said. "I would go home and tell the family how much I loved it here and I think he saw that. My parents have wanted him to come here and it just felt right."
Hagen had originally planned to redshirt last season, but when the Gophers were in need of a presence in the post, they called upon their untested freshman. Hagen played in 26 games, including two starts against Michigan State and Penn State, averaging just 1.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game, but provided valuable physical size who could battle in the post and run the floor. It was also a great experience for Hagen, who knows he will need to improve if he wants to contend with his very powerful conterparts.
"It was painful at times," Hagen said. "I definitely got thrown around. There are some strong fellows out there."
In his first collegiate game, Hagen came off the bench to score a career-high 11 points, including a 7-of-8 performace from the free-throw line against UNC-Greensboro.
"It was super exciting seeing him play," Stephanie said. "I was surprised, but I knew he could do it. He was good in high school, but I knew he was going to get better. It was a surprise that he was starting in his first year, though."
With the emergence of freshman Rick Rickert and junior college transfer Jerry Holman in the post, once again the Minnesota coaching staff plans on redshirting Hagen with hopes that he will be able to add more muscle to his 250-pound frame. The move will be beneficial for both the program and Hagen as it appears likely he will be placed on scholarship down the line.
"I think everybody is happy with me redshirting," Hagen said. "We know the upside is brighter in the future.
"I'm going to be a much better player with some added strength. I'm not going to be able to out-jump very many people in the conference, so I'm going to have to get stronger to be able to play on the floor with them."
Even though Hagen will be watching from the end of the bench in dress clothes, he will be able to use the experience he gained last season in the future, just like he used his high school experience during his freshman campaign. Hagen was no stranger to Williams Arena even prior to his first game in a Golden Gopher jersey.
Hagen first played in Williams Arena as he led Hopkins to the state tournament his junior year. As a senior, Hagen and Hopkins lost to now Gopher teammate Brent Lawson's Maple Grove team in the regional final.
"We had beaten them by 20 earlier in the year and Brent was their leading scorer," Hagen said. "He always reminds me of that one."
In his final two years at Hopkins, Hagen led the Royals to 44 victories. During his senior season, Hagen was named all-conference and all-state averaging 16.2 points and nine rebounds a game. He was a handful for everyone he faced as he bettered both the 300-point (389) and 300-rebound (331) mark his final year as a prep. As a younger player though, it was older sister, Stephanie that had the upper hand.
"I used to play him when we were little and I would beat him and then he got bigger and I stopped playing him," Stephanie said jokingly. "Things got a little too competitive, but now I realize that he would beat me. He's horrible at volleyball, so I could always beat him at that. It felt good to hit one in his face."
Hagen agrees with Stephanie's opinion on his volleyball prowess and her unwillingness to play him in basketball.
"She would never play me in basketball, because she would accuse me of intentionally fouling her," Hagen said. "So we would play volleyball and she would just kill me. Volleyball definitely doesn't run in the family, I'm pathetic at it."
Despite the competitiveness of the two, the family is very close. Every Sunday, Jeff, Stephanie, along with their parents Richard and Kristen get together at a restaurant between the campus and Minnetonka for dinner.
"We've gotten a lot closer, now were friends, not just brother and sister," Stephanie said. "It's a lot of fun hanging out with him."
Unfortunately, fans will only be able to see Hagen hanging out cheering on his teammates from the sidelines. Rest assured he will be back with a mission next season.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Intern Scott Johnson
