10 i The Blue Banner I 9.282011
day
in the life
Sports
Photo by Dustin Stuart- Photography Editor
Jake Hagedorn goes for the ball in a home game against Mer
cer University on Aug. 27. The match ended in a tie after over
time play, 1-1.
Right: Jake Hagedorn, senior midfielder and one of three
team captains, time and time again brings the bulldogs to the
right mindset for gameday. He aggressively attepmts to re
claim the ball from a Mercer player, junior midhlder Will Betts,
in the close game on Aug. 27.
Photo by Dustin Stuart- Photography Editor
Soccer player Jake Hagedorn: Leader on, off the field
Kelli Riles
kpriles@unca.edu - Staff Writer
Enthusiasm is the first thing
that comes to mind when think
ing of Jake Hagedorn, said
UNC Asheville’s men’s soccer
Head Coach Matt Kern said.
“We have an expression in
the program, you’re either giv
ing energy or you’re sucking
energy. He is an ultimate giver
of energy. He plays as hard as
':^e can all the time and it’s in
fectious for everybody and the
team,” Kern said.
Hagedorn’s teammates enjoy
being around him, according
to fellow soccer player and
UNCA sophomore Bobby
Castro.
“The best part of being a
student-athlete is having the
opportunity to continue to
play soccer while in school,”
Hagedorn said. “I’ve been
playing soccer since I was
8-years-old. I love to play.
Having soccer helps me be a
better student. Having soccer
forces me to balance every
thing else in my life. It helps
me be more organized and re
sponsible in both academics
and athletics.”
Hagedorn, a Brevard native
js more than just a phenomenal
soccer player. He not only gets
things done on the field, but he
said he also finds time within
his busy schedule to be a great
student.
"It's my senior year and soccer is every
thing right now because it's my last year.
Of course things will change once it's
over, but right now that is what's most
important"
Jake Hagedorn
senior team captain
Time management is very
important. Balancing school,
sports and a social life can be
challenging, Hagedorn said.
“Jake is an outstanding stu
dent outside of soccer. He is
diligent and well respected,”
Kern said. “I have a 17-year-
old son and if he follows in
Jake Hagedom’s footsteps as
an academic student, I would
be very proud,” he said.
Organization is key to not
falling behind, Hagedorn said.
He recommends keeping an
agenda of everything from
practice times, school work,
volunteer work and games to
keep organized.
“A regular day for any ath
lete can be rough,” Hagedorn
said. “We practice for 2 hours
a day everyday unless it’s game
day, between training room and
getting treatment that’s 3 to 4
hours a day. Trying to study can
be tough, but I study a couple
hours a day between classes
and at night. When we travel
it depends on how far, but it’s
usually a weekend trip.”
Castro said Jake is a good
leader. He’s dedicated to the
game. He keeps the team united
and he’s not only a good lead
er on, but off the field also. If
someone is down he will make
see JAKE on page 12