Stephen Hegenauer '16 Recruiting Profile

   Coaches have always told my parents that they appreciate how coachable I am.  I have been blessed to have had knowledgeable coaches who have helped me to improve and who loved what they did, so following their direction came naturally. 

   Leadership is a key aspect in sports and plays a very important role.  I've played on teams with many leaders and on teams with few or none.  It may seem as if leadership does not directly affect the team, but it does.  Without leadership there is often lack of motivation and there will always be fighting, which kills the team internally.  I was not always a leader.  I used to be silent, sometimes maybe even afraid.  Then, one time we had no leaders and began to loose.  This is when I began to love football with the passion I do now.  I absolutely hated losing, so I faced my fear and began to step up. Now I like to lead by example, but when I need to I will speak up and take control.

   I love the game of football.  While I have played soccer and baseball for as long as I can remember as well as other sports like wrestling, cross country, and track, I didn't start playing football until I was in seventh grade.  I believe football is unique in the way that your team is more than a team, they are family.  I have not experienced this in any other sports to this degree. There is just a great feeling of giving my all for my brothers and watching them do the same for me.  

    I try to do my best in whatever I do.  In school, I take accelerated classes, participate in class, do my work, and build relationships with my teachers.  In football I attend all workouts, give my best effort, and build relationships with my teammates and coaches.  If life, I try to help others by volunteering at my former elementary school, at church, and in the community with events such as Angel Tree, Operation Goodwill, and ringing for The Salvation Army.

   My collegiate goals are to get a quality education and play for a college that loves football as much as I do.  Having a mother who is a teacher, education has always been a high priority in our household.  My parents and sisters have been good role models for me regarding schooling.  I have learned from them how important my education is to my future.