University of Minnesota Athletics
A Balancing Act; Sophomore walk-on Wade Hokenson
11/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
In the spring of 1999, Hokenson graduated from Watertown-Mayer High School and knew his next choice would be college. He had just completed the best basketball season of his high school career, reaching the semifinals of the Minnesota State High School tournament with a team that included his two younger brothers. He decided to further his education by studying mechanical engineering at Iowa State.
That decision was one that he would regret. By his sophomore year, this Minnesota boy was back in his home state, attending the University of Minnesota. And he could not have picked a better time. The Golden Gophers were looking to plug a few missing holes in their basketball roster and took four walk-ons, including Hokenson. He knew immediately that his role would be limited, but was happy to call himself a Golden Gopher. As Hokenson put it: "I just like the game. I like playing, even if it's practice. I could play here [at Williams Arena] or I could play at the rec [center]. I'd rather play here."
As Wade begins his second year at Minnesota, he now has a full year at each school to compare and see if he is happy with his choice to come back home. When asked, he can step back and say that he is completely satisfied in his decision to transfer. "I really am happy with it. It's cheaper and I get to play basketball. It works out nicely," he said.
Over the time between last year's basketball season and this year's, the Minnesota roster has become more intense with competition for places on the roster and for minutes on the court. With this loss of only two seniors, J.B. Bickerstaff and Terrance Simmons, and two underclassmen transfers, combined with four new transfers and three incoming freshmen, there were not many places that needed filling at Minnesota. But then again, Hokenson is happy to see his name on the roster of such a great up-and-coming team. He takes pride in being a player whose role is slightly more hidden, but just as important.
It is refreshing to talk to a player on the team that realizes there is more to being a member of a squad then being the leader in the spotlight. Many players have behind the scene roles that help the team achieve their goals. Hokenson is a believer in the "pieces of the puzzle" theory. His piece of the puzzle to making the Golden Gophers successful may not be during game time that often, but he knows he still can influence his team as a crucial member of the scout team. "I'm a scout member, and try to help the team by observing the opposing competition, telling the guys out there things that I notice. I really try to encourage the others. Also, getting good grades sets an example off the court," Wade commented.
Maintaining a moderately high level of academic achievement is a difficult balancing job for most athletes. Imagine trying to pull such a balancing act with a major like mechanical engineering. Hokenson kept his major that he originally began at Iowa State, and, although he is pleased and enjoys it, the classes and practice time generally do not go hand-in-hand. Carrying such a major and making it to all the events and practices that being a Minnesota basketball player entails may be challenging, but is something Hokenson knew his would have to persist through. "It's tough because a lot of the classes I need to take are offered during practice time. So, I either take them in the summer or at another school. It's all about balancing between practices and studying."
The current Minnesota Golden Gopher team has been generating buzz ever since the Golden Gophers signed an amazing recruiting class last spring. Fans and the local media are mentioning possible appearances in the NCAA tournament this coming March. That is something that has not been realistically heard at Williams Arena for a while, but is a very welcome sign to just how good of a job Dan Monson has done turning around a program that had plenty of problems just two years ago. Hokenson is excited about the talk he hears, but knows that they must take this season one game at a time to achieve such levels of success. When asked about this year's team and their possibility of being a part of "March Madness," Wade gave a levelheaded response: "This year could be really good. We have lots of new players finding their way in the system, finding their roles. If everyone does that, then we could be really good. If not, well, then maybe not."
So what's the best part about being a Golden Gopher? Certainly wearing the maroon and gold that basketball greats throughout University history must be part of it. Stepping onto the unique raised court of Williams Arena. Hearing the cheers of the crowd surround you as the Rouser plays. For Hokenson, it is the entire package. His proudest sporting moment of his life was making the Minnesota team last year. And he appreciates every part of being a team member. "The best part of being a Gopher is I get to play basketball everyday. That, and the free food and clothes," Hokenson commented with a laugh.
An interesting side note to Wade Hokenson may be his high jumping career while attending Watertown-Mayer. When one sees Hokenson on the court, it might not strike you as the track and field event he would be most likely to participate in, with his smaller 5'9" frame. When asked about how he came to competing in that particular event, Hokenson smiled. Because he was from a small town with smaller schools opposing his, the teams put the guys who wanted to high jump into that role. And the majority of those jumpers were the same height as Wade, so the event was an even contest. Just another example of Wade wanted to play and not letting such petty things, like size, get in his way. "I'm from a small school, and most of the guys in the area were the same height, so that wasn't a big deal. Everyone was short and like me," Hokenson chuckled.
There are lessons to be learned from Wade Hokenson. Rolling with the punches and appreciating even the small, daily things about life are two such lessons. He is certainly not the stereotype of an athlete. He strives to achieve in his challenging major of mechanical engineering and is happy to be part of the team, appreciating his role with his teammates and not getting caught up in things like minutes played or points. He wants to help this Minnesota team by doing the small, but very crucial things to help the team win. He wants to be a Gopher for "as long as they keep letting him back on the roster" he said lightheartedly. The positive attitude that streams from him and influences those around him is well worth the spot. Yes, the name "Wade Hokenson" may not ring out in Williams Arena very often, but his impact as a team player is an essential part of the Golden Gophers.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant, Courtney Walerius The name "Wade Hokenson" may not ring out in Williams Arena too often during games, but when it does, he is proud. The small town boy from Watertown, Minnesota is happy to be stepping on the University of Minnesota court, even if it is mostly during the daily practices. Hokenson is not a player looking for his name in lights, although when it happens he is certainly filled with satisfaction. Wade knows his role on the team is just as important as any other players. He is pleased to call himself a member of the Golden Gopher basketball team.
In the spring of 1999, Hokenson graduated from Watertown-Mayer High School and knew his next choice would be college. He had just completed the best basketball season of his high school career, reaching the semifinals of the Minnesota State High School tournament with a team that included his two younger brothers. He decided to further his education by studying mechanical engineering at Iowa State.
That decision was one that he would regret. By his sophomore year, this Minnesota boy was back in his home state, attending the University of Minnesota. And he could not have picked a better time. The Golden Gophers were looking to plug a few missing holes in their basketball roster and took four walk-ons, including Hokenson. He knew immediately that his role would be limited, but was happy to call himself a Golden Gopher. As Hokenson put it: "I just like the game. I like playing, even if it's practice. I could play here [at Williams Arena] or I could play at the rec [center]. I'd rather play here."
As Wade begins his second year at Minnesota, he now has a full year at each school to compare and see if he is happy with his choice to come back home. When asked, he can step back and say that he is completely satisfied in his decision to transfer. "I really am happy with it. It's cheaper and I get to play basketball. It works out nicely," he said.
Over the time between last year's basketball season and this year's, the Minnesota roster has become more intense with competition for places on the roster and for minutes on the court. With this loss of only two seniors, J.B. Bickerstaff and Terrance Simmons, and two underclassmen transfers, combined with four new transfers and three incoming freshmen, there were not many places that needed filling at Minnesota. But then again, Hokenson is happy to see his name on the roster of such a great up-and-coming team. He takes pride in being a player whose role is slightly more hidden, but just as important.
It is refreshing to talk to a player on the team that realizes there is more to being a member of a squad then being the leader in the spotlight. Many players have behind the scene roles that help the team achieve their goals. Hokenson is a believer in the "pieces of the puzzle" theory. His piece of the puzzle to making the Golden Gophers successful may not be during game time that often, but he knows he still can influence his team as a crucial member of the scout team. "I'm a scout member, and try to help the team by observing the opposing competition, telling the guys out there things that I notice. I really try to encourage the others. Also, getting good grades sets an example off the court," Wade commented.
Maintaining a moderately high level of academic achievement is a difficult balancing job for most athletes. Imagine trying to pull such a balancing act with a major like mechanical engineering. Hokenson kept his major that he originally began at Iowa State, and, although he is pleased and enjoys it, the classes and practice time generally do not go hand-in-hand. Carrying such a major and making it to all the events and practices that being a Minnesota basketball player entails may be challenging, but is something Hokenson knew his would have to persist through. "It's tough because a lot of the classes I need to take are offered during practice time. So, I either take them in the summer or at another school. It's all about balancing between practices and studying."
The current Minnesota Golden Gopher team has been generating buzz ever since the Golden Gophers signed an amazing recruiting class last spring. Fans and the local media are mentioning possible appearances in the NCAA tournament this coming March. That is something that has not been realistically heard at Williams Arena for a while, but is a very welcome sign to just how good of a job Dan Monson has done turning around a program that had plenty of problems just two years ago. Hokenson is excited about the talk he hears, but knows that they must take this season one game at a time to achieve such levels of success. When asked about this year's team and their possibility of being a part of "March Madness," Wade gave a levelheaded response: "This year could be really good. We have lots of new players finding their way in the system, finding their roles. If everyone does that, then we could be really good. If not, well, then maybe not."
So what's the best part about being a Golden Gopher? Certainly wearing the maroon and gold that basketball greats throughout University history must be part of it. Stepping onto the unique raised court of Williams Arena. Hearing the cheers of the crowd surround you as the Rouser plays. For Hokenson, it is the entire package. His proudest sporting moment of his life was making the Minnesota team last year. And he appreciates every part of being a team member. "The best part of being a Gopher is I get to play basketball everyday. That, and the free food and clothes," Hokenson commented with a laugh.
An interesting side note to Wade Hokenson may be his high jumping career while attending Watertown-Mayer. When one sees Hokenson on the court, it might not strike you as the track and field event he would be most likely to participate in, with his smaller 5'9" frame. When asked about how he came to competing in that particular event, Hokenson smiled. Because he was from a small town with smaller schools opposing his, the teams put the guys who wanted to high jump into that role. And the majority of those jumpers were the same height as Wade, so the event was an even contest. Just another example of Wade wanted to play and not letting such petty things, like size, get in his way. "I'm from a small school, and most of the guys in the area were the same height, so that wasn't a big deal. Everyone was short and like me," Hokenson chuckled.
There are lessons to be learned from Wade Hokenson. Rolling with the punches and appreciating even the small, daily things about life are two such lessons. He is certainly not the stereotype of an athlete. He strives to achieve in his challenging major of mechanical engineering and is happy to be part of the team, appreciating his role with his teammates and not getting caught up in things like minutes played or points. He wants to help this Minnesota team by doing the small, but very crucial things to help the team win. He wants to be a Gopher for "as long as they keep letting him back on the roster" he said lightheartedly. The positive attitude that streams from him and influences those around him is well worth the spot. Yes, the name "Wade Hokenson" may not ring out in Williams Arena very often, but his impact as a team player is an essential part of the Golden Gophers.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant, Courtney Walerius
