Ben Haugen
On November 27th, the clock ran out on Morningside’s football season as MidAmerica Nazarene defeated them 34-10 in Olathe, Kansas. The loss not only wrapped up a successful season for the Morningside Mustang football team, but also a successful career for the Morningside seniors, including 5th year senior Ben Haugen.
Ben Haugen is a senior defensive end for the Morningside Mustang football team and has put together an impressive football resume during his time at Morningside College. Haugen was named to the GPAC All-Conference team twice (2009, 2010) and was Morningside’s only All-American last year.
“I enjoyed my time here at Morningside and I’d be lying to you if I told you that football was something that came easy for me, the truth is I had to work hard all year round to improve and become a better player.”
Ben Haugen was born in Estherville, Iowa and played football for his high school team there. Haugen, who considered himself an “average” high school player really broke out and became a force to be reckoned with as a Mustang.
Chris Calvillo, a junior linebacker from Sioux City, said that, “Ben really took on the role of leader this year. He wanted the best out of this team and from all of us as individuals.”
This summer, the Morningside football team had “optional” running and workouts and Haugen did his best to make sure that all of the guys were there. “It was hard to try and get everyone to running and conditioning in the summer because there were days when I didn’t even want to be there and I knew that other people were busy with there jobs.”
Junior defensive lineman John Kirwan played two full seasons with Haugen after transferring to Morningside from South Dakota State. “Ben’s work ethic is second to none and he’s always willing to work and get better.”
Most athletes have specific pre game rituals that they will do before games. Some athletes do these rituals because of superstition while others do it just to get into the right state of mind before a game. Ben Haugen was no different and did the same thing before every game. Haugen would eat two power bars and drink two vitamin waters. “The power bars and vitamin waters made me feel energized and hydrated during the games.”
Haugen used to wear excessive eye black on his face, but due to a change in GPAC rules, was not allowed to this year. “I definitely miss not being able to wear all that eye black. It made me feel like some kind of savage when I was out there on the field.”
Haugen is majoring in business at Morningside and is planning on graduating this month. He aspires to be a personal trainer or go into claims adjusting. Ben wasn’t highly recruited out of high school and didn’t sign with Morningside until May of his senior year. He about chose to go play football at Wartburg College in Waverly.
“Looking back on my college choice, I’m glad that I chose to go with Morningside and I have enjoyed my team here.” It’s safe to say that Morningside is also happy with Haugen’s choice as he leaves behind a storied legacy on and off the field.