Hall of Fame Beckons Hagen; Now, The Speech

It’s a little funny when you think about it.

Of all the games he's played, in front of countless fans, Mark Hagen is more nervous about an upcoming speech before roughly 300 to400 people.

Hagen is being inducted into the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame at American Serb Hall on April 2 for his many successful years on the field.

The Milwaukee native - with ties to both the Elmbrook and Hamilton school districts - said he feels extremely privileged to be part of such a select group, but just doesn’t necessarily enjoy the pageantry of that goes hand-in-hand with an event like this.

“I think it’s a great honor,” Hagen said. “I’m in no way embarrassed by (the award) but I’m the kind of guy that likes to be in the background. Realistically you figure, of the hundreds of thousands or million people that have played soccer in this state there’s probably 300 that are in the Hall of Fame so it’s a pretty good accomplishment.

“I don’t need all the attention but I think it’s a great honor and I’m really going to cherish it.”

Hagen started playing soccer in 1967 and quickly fell in love with the game. Those paying attention realized his passion translated into a high level of success on the field and he ascended to some high ranks at a young age. Before he knew it, Hagen was playing for Bavarian Soccer Club, one of Milwaukee’s most historic and prestigious soccer clubs.

After many years and playing alongside many well-recognized names with Bavarians, Hagen also played for local teams Milwaukee Sport Club and the Croatian Eagles.

The father of two has many memories from his years of action but the fondest will always be from 1976 when his team, coached by soccer legend Bob Gansler, won the National Amateur Championship, a first at the time for any Wisconsin team.

“That was a special team and a special moment, not only for Bavarians but also for Wisconsin soccer,” Gansler said. “I was on my way out and he was on his way in in terms of playing career and it was good to see because he was willing to learn.

"(Hagen) wasn’t a power player; he was a smart player and a technician. He was a soccer player, not a kickball player. It’s not a kicking game; you only kick the ball when you’re really in dire straights. The rest of the time it’s about passing, it’s about crossing, it’s about shooting, it’s about controlling it and that was Mark’s game. He was a smart, technical player who was good to play with,” Gansler added.

Finally, after nearly 40 years of blood, sweat and tears were spilled on the field, Hagen decided it was time to hang up the cleats.

“Once you get to about 31, 32 (years old) your body just can’t do it anymore,” He said. “I played in over 30s (leagues) up until about five years ago, and I’m 55 now so I was 50 playing against 30-year-olds, which is fun but your body just can’t do it anymore.”

While his body wouldn’t let him continue his passion on the field, Hagen still stays active in soccer by coaching. The seasoned vet has been teaching young ones the game at Brookfield Soccer Association by coaching the U-12 girls teams since 1993. He also helps out at Hamilton High School in the fall by coaching the JV boys team and in the spring by helping with the girls varsity team.

“The coaching thing came just because I was coached by some really good coaches and I just wanted to sort of give back what they gave to me,” Hagen said. “It works out pretty good. I’ve learned a lot from them and stuff I learned almost 40 years ago I still use today because it works. There are different names for things now but it’s all the same as before.”

Some of those coaches Hagen is referring to include fellow WSA Hall of Famers Richie Schweinert and Willi Wessels, and of course Gansler, who went on to coach at many levels in the area and directed the U.S national team at the 1990 World Cup.

While Hagen might not necessarily look forward to giving a speech at his induction, he has seen the culture of soccer grow and change around the area for many years and has enough memories, including playing soccer on the hardwood floor at the then Milwaukee Auditorium (now Milwaukee Theater), to make even the average soccer fan feel his passion for the game.

He even has a bit of a plan already laid out.

“It’s a running joke that I played in the 70s and nobody remembers the 70s anyway," he said, "but I’m just going to thank as many people as I can that helped me get from 1967 to today. I think that’s more appropriate than talking about some soccer stuff I don’t remember anyways.

“I was fortunate enough to learn from some of the best and that’s part of the reason I enjoy giving it back now.”