University of Minnesota Athletics
A True Softball Family: The Wagners
8/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Many of our players, if not all, would not be where they are today without the sacrifices, love and support of their families. We continue our new feature series with the Wagner family.
Dani Wagner was good enough to play high school softball as just a seventh grader but the program almost died off when the team could not find a coach. Luckily a hero stepped up and saved the day.
"When Laura (Dani's sister) was a senior and Dani a seventh grader, there was no one who wanted to coach the team," Dani's mom Jana Wagner said. "I was not willing to let the sport die for them, so I called up my old assistant and we are back at it."
Jana was the first ever varsity softball coach in Hayfield, Minn., but took time off to watch her four kids compete. Since coming back she has stayed at it and loves every moment. She will coach her 20th season this upcoming year.
"I have coached some teams without many wins and I have been lucky enough to coach at the state tournament three times," Jana said. "Each season, no matter which type of team, has been fulfilling because you get to work with girls who also enjoy the game and are willing to work to get better."
Some of her favorite memories came coaching her daughters but how is it to have your mom as your coach?
"It was one of my favorite parts about playing softball in high school," Dani said. "My mom has always been my best friend on and off the field. Having her there in the third base coaching box or sitting on her bucket in the dugout just gave me confidence knowing that she wholeheartedly believed in me."
"Dani has always been very coachable, has a solid work ethic and has been a leader by example. That only benefited me because coaching your own child can be tough. You don't want to favor them and you don't want to be harder on them than the rest of team," Jana said.
Jana and Dani bond over softball all the time. As soon as the Gophers 57-game season wrapped up Dani spent time volunteering with her old high school team as they made a run to state.
"She has increased her knowledge of the game playing Gopher softball. I often get a text 'I've got another drill you can use,'" Jana said.
Dani has more than her mom to thank for her love of softball. Her dad, Corey Wagner, was the head of the summer rec program in Hayfield and has been an umpire for 26 years. She also has three older siblings, Darin (26), Laura (25) and Dillon (22), that she grew up watching play.
"It's kind of inspiring. You can tell they don't want to give up the connection they have with this game," Dani said. "My dad loves umping. He is traveling to different towns almost every night of the week because he loves the competition and the atmosphere."
"I watch umpires as much as I watch the game and players," Corey said. "You can pick up umpire tendencies as much as pitcher or hitter patterns."
Corey reflected on Dani succeeding in more than just softball growing up. She actually racked up 14 varsity letters at Hayfield-six in softball, four in volleyball and four in basketball.
"She is a remarkable athlete. She was the gym rat that could not seem to get enough regardless of the sport," Corey said. "I am very proud of her sport accomplishments. Her work ethic and commitment are exceptional."
Dani is not the only athlete in the family. Her oldest brother Darin went on to play football at Gustavus Adolphus from 2008-12 and she still plays with her brother Dillon when possible. Just two years ago the whole family put together a slowpitch team and competed in a coed tournament. The four kids along with Corey played while Jana kept book.
While she enjoys playing on the same team as her family, one of Dani's favorite sports memories actually came when competing against her brother Dillon. It was in the Machine League summer rec championship when they were young. Dani's team came back to win with her tagging Dillon out at home plate to seal the victory. She now has bragging rights at the family dinner table for life.
Just one of many special moments shared by the Wagner family through softball.
Past Family Feature- The Mackens
