Hagen starts process of building a program
11/12/2009 1:00:00 PM | Women's Bowling
In order to start the program Hagen has taken the 2009-2010 school year to recruit and build the team from the ground up.
"We are looking for quality over quantity," Hagen said. "I am looking for women who look good not only on paper, but understand the importance of academia, and the seriousness of individuals with the ability to learn, adapt and retain information on and off the lanes."
Since the start of fall, Hagen has spent his days contacting high school athletes, going to tournaments and looking at statistics of young women not just in the United States, but globally as well.
"One of the hardest parts of starting the program is after you find an athlete your interested in, finding out everything about her, and researching how to get into contact with the athlete." Hagen said, "Then from there, you cross your fingers and hope everything rolls accordingly."
Hagen knows the competitiveness of the specialized sport but hopes to make history at Sam Houston State. His plans are to make a big impression in a very little amount of time.
"I am serious about what I have to offer to the program and I am serious about making this a successful program right from the start. In doing so I want to get the right people involved to assist with our success," Hagen said.
In order to have a solid roster Hagen has specific requirements that allow for only the highest quality of student athletes. Some of the requirements are not only general bowling skills, but previous experience in tournaments. Two of the most prestigious tournaments for youth bowling the Junior Gold and Teen Masters. Hagen says he can tell a lot about the student athlete by watching them in these tournaments and is able to see what the competitor has to offer.
The rest of the school year will be a busy one for Hagen as he continues to fill his roster, but his enthusiasm seems to be the power behind the success of the program thus far.
Hagen hopes to get the team in full swing as soon as possible but with the time crunch will be focusing on student athletes that are currently available and are eligible through the NCAA Clearing House.
With the right attitude and selectiveness in mind, Hagen plans on kicking off the 2010 official and inaugural season with a strike.
