It seems there has been a lot of buzz about Jeff Hagen lately. At the beginning of the season, players and press were talking that the 6'11" center was one of the most improved Gophers from last year. As his playing time and game contributions have increased over the season, so has the level of respect gained from once-critics. All this hype boiled over in Minnesota's 87-80 win over Michigan. The victory was greatly boosted by Hagen's 12 points and four boards, and resulted in the on-air commentators comparing Hagen to Shaq, and a writer to draw the connection between Hagen and Paul Bunyan. The cheering for Hagen is louder at games now than ever before, and he even has his own fan section, the House of Hagen.
But what everyone should know is that Jeff Hagen isn't a fad. He isn't a mediocre player enjoying his 15 minutes of fame. His play in recent weeks hasn't been a fluke, and he isn't going to be some flash-in-the-pan player who once did a couple great things for Minnesota. Jeff Hagen is going to be a legend. And if you ask me, the guy already is.
Basically, the legend starts as a bit of a fairy tale. During Hagen's senior year of high school at Hopkins, he was being recruited by some Division I colleges to play basketball but none meant to him what Minnesota did- and they hadn't called yet. So in late spring of 2000, when the Gophers finally asked him to walk-on, it was a dream come true for Hagen.
"I called my dad right then and told him I'd made my decision," Hagen said. "Minnesota is where I always wanted to go. I grew up with Gopher sports, and there is no better place for me."
And then, after a modest freshman season, playing an average of 7.5 minutes per game and a redshirt the following year, Hagen threw himself into high gear-ran on the treadmill every day last summer, lifted weights and played open gym two times per day. At the start of this season, he had gained 10 pounds and infinite skill and discipline. He was also awarded a scholarship in his redshirt year, having proven his worth and work ethic to the basketball program. So far this season, with 90 points and 65 rebounds, Hagen has shown his presence on the Gopher squad is far from dismissable.
"I do the dirty work," Hagen said. "I go out, be physical, throw my weight around, dive on the floor-I'm always smooth with the dives. The team knows I'll take a shot if I've got a shot to take. They have confidence in me, and they know I'll give the team a lift when I have to."
And now, the fairy tale has blossomed into full-on legend status. Hagen lore abounds on the Minnesota campus-off-court sightings and game rituals are all passed down from fan to fan and player to player. It seems that everyone has a memory of something great they remember seeing No. 42 do. It's his playing style, physical and hard-nosed, but it's also his personality, chock full of self-deprecating humor and laid-back goofiness. But ask Hagen why he thinks his fan base is growing exponentially, and you'll get a glowing response that reflects how surprised he still is to be getting so much attention.
"It's an honor and it means you're doing something right. I just found out I have a fan club, and that's really great," Hagen said. "Obviously, the girls are cheering for me because of my good looks. No, but really, it is probably because a lot of fans appreciate guys who walk on and have success. It's pretty simple."
Jake Rise, the co-founder of House of Hagen, said that when they formed two years ago, they originally wanted to support a player who didn't get much time on the court. Now, however, as Hagen's time on the court climbs, Rise said Hagen has proven to be an ever better choice for a fan club than they could have expected.
"Sometimes we don't even have to start the Hagen chant anymore, because other people in front of us will start it," Rise said. "We have a lot of flashy guys on the team, but Hagen is an old-school, get-it-down-on-the-block, hard-working, get-your-two-or-go-to-the-line kind of guy. Every time I've seen him play, he's been playing hard, diving for loose balls or challenging a shot. He's always challenging a shot. He makes the most of his minutes, and that's why the fans love him."
Matt Smriga, Hagen's teammate and close friend, chalks up Hagen's epic status to two things: his average-guy appeal, and his high level of concentration. As a local boy who didn't have as glorious a high school record as some other players, Smriga said Hagen offers a dose of everyday charm to the fans.
"Fans like that he's a Minnesota guy, a walk-on who made something of himself," Smriga said. "He really does truly love basketball. He wouldn't be here at this level if he didn't. Some guys are here on pure talent, but Jeff had to work hard for what he has gotten."
Hagen's biggest strength, according to Smriga, is his ability to run plays, both offensively and defensively, in the exact manner the coaches asked for it.
"He has a really high basketball IQ, really high. He plays purely mistake-free minutes," Smriga said. "The coaches will tell us what they want us to do and quiz us later, and Jeff is the first to know the answer of how it should be done every time."
But Hagen-off-court, joking-around Hagen, the Hagen that laughed when he said he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn when playing at Michigan-that's where the bulk of his legend status lies. Many a Hagen aficionado has a quick anecdote that typifies a part of his personality. For example, observed near campus last year, as related to me from a die- hard Hagen man on the solemn condition of anonymity:
Hagen was crossing the street on 15th and 4th in Dinkytown, a determined stride guiding his way. One of his teammates called out to him a hello. Hagen didn't even turn to look but yelled back, "GOTTA GET LUNCH!" and quickened his pace, looking even more set on his goal of a full stomach before his next daily endeavor. It's stories like these that enthrall fan eyewitnesses: not only is Jeff Hagen unwavering in his dogged pursuits to get rebounds and pressure even the most physical of Big Ten centers, but he is similar in his personal quest to find a burger.
Smriga, noting that Hagen's legend status is defined largely by his attitude and personality, shared a Hagen memoir he said the team remembers well. Last year, now-alum Dusty Rychart jokingly blamed his chest injury on "big, clumsy" Jeff Hagen-because Hagen kept hurting Rychart in practice by falling on top of him. Although Smriga said it was mostly teasing, Rychart still had to wear a chest protector.
Hagen has a few stories himself that only up his legend standing.
"My junior year of high school, I painted myself green from head to toe for Halloween and went as the Jolly Green Giant," Hagen said. "We went out to get as much candy as we could. It was something like thirty pounds. We went to KG's (Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves) house but we got chased out of there really fast."
In fact, Hagen can be so much of an intimidating legend, fans might be afraid to approach him. Rise even said that he gets tongue-tied around the big man himself, even being the heart of the House of Hagen. "I saw him at Rainbow Foods last week, and I just took off," Rise said. "I was kind of shy. I didn't want him to see me. What could I have said?"
I personally have a favorite Jeff Hagen tale.
During the interview, Hagen lamented that his apartment was clean out of dishwashing detergent and the plates were just piling up. I suggested utilizing the brim-full bottle of Dawn dish soap sitting conspicuously on the cluttered sink. Judging from the incredulous (and teasing) look on Hagen's face, I obviously don't know the first thing about the horrible effects soap and water can have on one's hands.
"My hands are dainty and soft. I can't just wash dishes," Hagen said. "If my hands were wrinkly, that might affect my lady appeal. And of course my shooting."
But despite Hagen's legendary stories, his smart, aggressive play is what will make him memorable in many fans' minds. But it is not a transient sort of effort; lucky for you Gopher fans, you've got two full years of pure Hagen left to enjoy. And although a guy as fabled as Hagen is clearly subject to a little magic, he said what he is in control of, meaning his work ethic, will stay intact as ever.
"I do what I can to help the team win," Hagen said. "It doesn't matter if I don't get a lot of points or personal glory. I can stop some players on defense or block some shots, and that's what I'm happy to do."
Hagen will undoubtedly continue to build on his legend this season and those coming. Maybe someday, kids will be sitting around a campfire in Brainerd, sharing stories their fathers told them about the Jeff Hagen of days of yore. Or if they're really creative, they'll paint themselves in head-to-toe Hagen and go trick-or-treating as the folklore hero with delicate hands.
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Kimberly Jackson (Kimberly welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu) It seems there has been a lot of buzz about Jeff Hagen lately. At the beginning of the season, players and press were talking that the 6'11" center was one of the most improved Gophers from last year. As his playing time and game contributions have increased over the season, so has the level of respect gained from once-critics. All this hype boiled over in Minnesota's 87-80 win over Michigan. The victory was greatly boosted by Hagen's 12 points and four boards, and resulted in the on-air commentators comparing Hagen to Shaq, and a writer to draw the connection between Hagen and Paul Bunyan. The cheering for Hagen is louder at games now than ever before, and he even has his own fan section, the House of Hagen.
But what everyone should know is that Jeff Hagen isn't a fad. He isn't a mediocre player enjoying his 15 minutes of fame. His play in recent weeks hasn't been a fluke, and he isn't going to be some flash-in-the-pan player who once did a couple great things for Minnesota. Jeff Hagen is going to be a legend. And if you ask me, the guy already is.
Basically, the legend starts as a bit of a fairy tale. During Hagen's senior year of high school at Hopkins, he was being recruited by some Division I colleges to play basketball but none meant to him what Minnesota did- and they hadn't called yet. So in late spring of 2000, when the Gophers finally asked him to walk-on, it was a dream come true for Hagen.
"I called my dad right then and told him I'd made my decision," Hagen said. "Minnesota is where I always wanted to go. I grew up with Gopher sports, and there is no better place for me."
And then, after a modest freshman season, playing an average of 7.5 minutes per game and a redshirt the following year, Hagen threw himself into high gear-ran on the treadmill every day last summer, lifted weights and played open gym two times per day. At the start of this season, he had gained 10 pounds and infinite skill and discipline. He was also awarded a scholarship in his redshirt year, having proven his worth and work ethic to the basketball program. So far this season, with 90 points and 65 rebounds, Hagen has shown his presence on the Gopher squad is far from dismissable.
"I do the dirty work," Hagen said. "I go out, be physical, throw my weight around, dive on the floor-I'm always smooth with the dives. The team knows I'll take a shot if I've got a shot to take. They have confidence in me, and they know I'll give the team a lift when I have to."
And now, the fairy tale has blossomed into full-on legend status. Hagen lore abounds on the Minnesota campus-off-court sightings and game rituals are all passed down from fan to fan and player to player. It seems that everyone has a memory of something great they remember seeing No. 42 do. It's his playing style, physical and hard-nosed, but it's also his personality, chock full of self-deprecating humor and laid-back goofiness. But ask Hagen why he thinks his fan base is growing exponentially, and you'll get a glowing response that reflects how surprised he still is to be getting so much attention.
"It's an honor and it means you're doing something right. I just found out I have a fan club, and that's really great," Hagen said. "Obviously, the girls are cheering for me because of my good looks. No, but really, it is probably because a lot of fans appreciate guys who walk on and have success. It's pretty simple."
Jake Rise, the co-founder of House of Hagen, said that when they formed two years ago, they originally wanted to support a player who didn't get much time on the court. Now, however, as Hagen's time on the court climbs, Rise said Hagen has proven to be an ever better choice for a fan club than they could have expected.
"Sometimes we don't even have to start the Hagen chant anymore, because other people in front of us will start it," Rise said. "We have a lot of flashy guys on the team, but Hagen is an old-school, get-it-down-on-the-block, hard-working, get-your-two-or-go-to-the-line kind of guy. Every time I've seen him play, he's been playing hard, diving for loose balls or challenging a shot. He's always challenging a shot. He makes the most of his minutes, and that's why the fans love him."
Matt Smriga, Hagen's teammate and close friend, chalks up Hagen's epic status to two things: his average-guy appeal, and his high level of concentration. As a local boy who didn't have as glorious a high school record as some other players, Smriga said Hagen offers a dose of everyday charm to the fans.
"Fans like that he's a Minnesota guy, a walk-on who made something of himself," Smriga said. "He really does truly love basketball. He wouldn't be here at this level if he didn't. Some guys are here on pure talent, but Jeff had to work hard for what he has gotten."
Hagen's biggest strength, according to Smriga, is his ability to run plays, both offensively and defensively, in the exact manner the coaches asked for it.
"He has a really high basketball IQ, really high. He plays purely mistake-free minutes," Smriga said. "The coaches will tell us what they want us to do and quiz us later, and Jeff is the first to know the answer of how it should be done every time."
But Hagen-off-court, joking-around Hagen, the Hagen that laughed when he said he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn when playing at Michigan-that's where the bulk of his legend status lies. Many a Hagen aficionado has a quick anecdote that typifies a part of his personality. For example, observed near campus last year, as related to me from a die- hard Hagen man on the solemn condition of anonymity:
Hagen was crossing the street on 15th and 4th in Dinkytown, a determined stride guiding his way. One of his teammates called out to him a hello. Hagen didn't even turn to look but yelled back, "GOTTA GET LUNCH!" and quickened his pace, looking even more set on his goal of a full stomach before his next daily endeavor. It's stories like these that enthrall fan eyewitnesses: not only is Jeff Hagen unwavering in his dogged pursuits to get rebounds and pressure even the most physical of Big Ten centers, but he is similar in his personal quest to find a burger.
Smriga, noting that Hagen's legend status is defined largely by his attitude and personality, shared a Hagen memoir he said the team remembers well. Last year, now-alum Dusty Rychart jokingly blamed his chest injury on "big, clumsy" Jeff Hagen-because Hagen kept hurting Rychart in practice by falling on top of him. Although Smriga said it was mostly teasing, Rychart still had to wear a chest protector.
Hagen has a few stories himself that only up his legend standing.
"My junior year of high school, I painted myself green from head to toe for Halloween and went as the Jolly Green Giant," Hagen said. "We went out to get as much candy as we could. It was something like thirty pounds. We went to KG's (Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves) house but we got chased out of there really fast."
In fact, Hagen can be so much of an intimidating legend, fans might be afraid to approach him. Rise even said that he gets tongue-tied around the big man himself, even being the heart of the House of Hagen. "I saw him at Rainbow Foods last week, and I just took off," Rise said. "I was kind of shy. I didn't want him to see me. What could I have said?"
I personally have a favorite Jeff Hagen tale.
During the interview, Hagen lamented that his apartment was clean out of dishwashing detergent and the plates were just piling up. I suggested utilizing the brim-full bottle of Dawn dish soap sitting conspicuously on the cluttered sink. Judging from the incredulous (and teasing) look on Hagen's face, I obviously don't know the first thing about the horrible effects soap and water can have on one's hands.
"My hands are dainty and soft. I can't just wash dishes," Hagen said. "If my hands were wrinkly, that might affect my lady appeal. And of course my shooting."
But despite Hagen's legendary stories, his smart, aggressive play is what will make him memorable in many fans' minds. But it is not a transient sort of effort; lucky for you Gopher fans, you've got two full years of pure Hagen left to enjoy. And although a guy as fabled as Hagen is clearly subject to a little magic, he said what he is in control of, meaning his work ethic, will stay intact as ever.
"I do what I can to help the team win," Hagen said. "It doesn't matter if I don't get a lot of points or personal glory. I can stop some players on defense or block some shots, and that's what I'm happy to do."
Hagen will undoubtedly continue to build on his legend this season and those coming. Maybe someday, kids will be sitting around a campfire in Brainerd, sharing stories their fathers told them about the Jeff Hagen of days of yore. Or if they're really creative, they'll paint themselves in head-to-toe Hagen and go trick-or-treating as the folklore hero with delicate hands.
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Kimberly Jackson (Kimberly welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu)
