WAYNE “HAWKEYE” HAENSEL - Inducted 2024

A 1954 graduate of Walnut Grove High School (MN) and a 1959 graduate of SDSU, Haensel was an All-American, all-conference, three-year starter, and senior co-captain for the Jackrabbits, helping SDSU secure three North Central Conference Championships with a 23-11-2 record during his tenure. Drafted in the 25th round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, Haensel didn’t make the team but played briefly in the CFL before an injury ended his playing career. In high school, he stood out in five sports: football, basketball, wrestling, track & field, and baseball.

Haensel went on to become a successful high school football coach, compiling an 83-37-3 record at Beresford (1959-66), Mitchell (1966-72), and Sioux City North (1972-73). His 1971 Mitchell team was crowned state champions and named the South Dakota Sportswriters Association’s 1971 Team of the Year for all sports.

From 1974-82, Haensel served as an assistant football coach at SDSU. The 1979 team went 9-3 and qualified for the national playoffs. He became SDSU’s head coach from 1982-90, leading the Jackrabbits to a 45-52-1 record (34-44-1 in the NCC). Alongside his football duties, Haensel coached the throws events for SDSU track & field, producing 41 conference champions and 36 All-American awards in shot put, discus, and javelin.

He was the first recipient of SDSU’s Ralph Ginn Award for coaching excellence in 1972, having played under Ginn. Haensel is also an inductee of both the South Dakota High School Football and Coaches Halls of Fame.