Assistant basketball coach Hunter Hageman has resigned. The Kingman, Ks. native was to begin his third season on the bench for the Roadrunners, but will now pursue opportunities closer to his family and friends in Kansas. His last day as a Roadrunner will be August 4.
Coach Hageman came to Dalton State in the summer of 2015 from the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) in Kansas City, Mo. He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Kansas in Lawrence with a B.S. in Sports Management and a minor in business. Hageman played basketball for two years at Friends University in Wichita, Ks. before transferring to KU.
“I am so grateful for coach Ingle giving me the opportunity to come down to Dalton two years ago, it has been an absolute joy to coach along side him,” said Hageman. “He has been a great mentor and a great friend. I have so much love and respect for him, his wife Jeanne, and their entire family.”
Hageman continued by saying, “leaving the players, coaching staff, and college has been a very tough decision for me but I know they will continue to have great success.”
Success they have had. Since coach Hageman came to Dalton State the Roadrunners have compiled an overall record of 48-16, won an SSAC Regular Season and Tournament Championship, and this past season received a #1-seed in the NAIA National Tournament where they made it to the final eight and finished with a #5-national ranking.
In addition to the wins and team achievements, Hageman also helped coach six All-Conference players, three Honorable Mention All-Americans, and one 2nd Team All-American.
“I knew when I hired him, it was going to be difficult to keep him,” said men’s basketball coach Tony Ingle. “What separates him from others is how much he served our team, students, and community. His work ethic, intelligence and enthusiasm is contagious to all of us and we are going to miss him dearly.”
“From day one, Dalton State College, Dalton State Athletics, and the entire Dalton community has been so welcoming and gracious,” said Hageman. He concluded by saying, “I am so thankful for all of the great people I have met and I will always take great pride in saying I was a member of the Dalton community.”
