Port High Senior, Football Player Gets All-State Honors

senior Zach Hauser almost didn’t play football. In fact, if it weren’t for Tania Switon, his mother, he probably wouldn’t have. He began in fifth grade, and nearly refused to stick it out — fearing he might hurt someone.

He pleaded with his mother after practice one day to let him quit.

“The motto always was, if you start something – you finish it,” she said. “If you feel the same way after the season you can stop.”

A few games into that fifth grade season, Hauser sprung into action. He took off out of his stance across the field after the opposing ball carrier, dove out and buried him into the grass. Hauser pumped his fist and immediately looked up to the stands and pointed to his mother.

“It was at that moment that I knew my son would soar,” Switon said.

And soar her son did. Hauser just received Wisconsin Football Coaches Association 1st-team All-State honors in his tight end position, one of only three players in the entire state to receive that accolade in 2011 and the first Pirate to do so since David Arendt in 2002.

“It’s a great honor,” Hauser said. “This was the first year that I played tight end full-time, and it was something that I dreamed of achieving. Hard work really did pay off.”

Hard work is something that Hauser prides himself on. Last year, he sat behind teammate Shane Kennedy at the tight end position. It took just one offseason to earn him a starting spot.

Saying that the 6-foot-3, 250-pound team captain was a standout on the football field is likely an understatement. Hauser led the team with a staggering 20 receptions, 406 yards and six touchdowns through seven conference games.

He was a force to be reckoned with on the other side of the ball at defensive end as well. Hauser tallied 34 tackles, 10 of which were for a loss. He also led the team with four sacks.

“He’s like Mike Alstott from the old Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Pirates head football Coach Tim Greisch said. “He’s tough to tackle, and he’s just as good defensively, too. He has a nice blend of size and speed, and a lot of times opponents underestimate that speed of his.”

In the trenches

A key to Hauser’s success, he said, was an offseason tool organized by his best friend Taylor Devenport and Devenport’s father.

“Taylor’s dad really supported us, and he got a seven-on-seven league going for quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends. It really helped with everything.”

Devenport, who was also the team’s quarterback, was on the same wavelength as Hauser throughout the season according to Greish. Devenport admired Hauser for his ability to keep the season fun and help players keep a competitive edge.

“He was always there for the underclassman as well as his senior teammates,” said Devenport. “He's definitely as much of a leader as he is a football player. He deserved to be All-State and I had a lot of fun competing next to him this year.”

Hauser and the other teammates used different tactics throughout the season to help the team continue to play at a high level.

“I took it upon myself to settle people down, but I knew how to push their buttons to get them to play their best, and my teammates did the same for me,” Hauser said. “It went back and forth with all of the leaders that were on our team.”

A noteworthy character

Despite Hauser’s ability athletically, his character is what comes to mind for Dean of Students and Athletic Director Thad Gabrielse.

“At the beginning of last year, when I began as Athletic Director, Zach was the first student athlete on the very first day I was in my office to come in just to introduce himself and welcome me,” Gabrielse said. “I think that kind of showed the type of person that he is.”

Gabrielse awarded Hauser with Junior Athlete of the Year last year, an award based on athletic achievement, but mostly on character.

“It’s his leadership, the way he conducts himself in school, the way he conducts himself with staff and teachers, his willingness to work with other people,” Gabrielse said. “Even though he is a tremendous athlete, I still make the connection to character.”

On top of the time and effort Hauser has put into football, he also juggles basketball, baseball and track and field — all while maintaining his grades.

“It’s just second nature to him, he’s just always done it,” Switon said. “He’s always found the balance. He knows that academics are first and that’s how he’s always treated it.”

Family lays the foundation

Hauser credits much of his success to his family. After his parents divorced when he was at a young age, he grew very close with his mother. His father, who lives within walking distance of his mother’s house, is still a huge part of his life.

“I primarily live with my mom, but I see my dad a lot,” Hauser said. “He gets to everything that he can make it to and I know he’s really proud of me.”

Switon said how essential it has been for her and Hauser’s grandmother to make it to every single game for every sport he has ever played.

“I think it has been unbelievably important to be there and show support,” she said. “By being there, we hope to let him know that all of the sacrifices he’s made mean everything to us.”

Looking forward to next year, Hauser hasn’t yet decided on a school but knows he’d like to play football.

“I’m just kind of keeping my options open right now, just feeling it out and applying wherever I can.”

No matter where Hauser goes, he knows he owes a lot to his family, in particular the woman who gave him that push seven years ago.

“My biggest supporter would definitely be my mom — and my grandma too,” Hauser said. “They will do anything to see me succeed. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”