Messiah alumnus Brian Hager returns to Messiah University for the 2022-23 cross country and track & field seasons, entering his 17th year on the Falcons’ coaching staff.
A native of Edinboro, Pa., Hager started as a thrower for the Falcons during his freshman year, and at one point held a top ten mark in the hammer throw. He later moved to the distance events, and competed for the cross country team and ran distance during track season. Brian graduated from Messiah with a B.A. in Mathematics with Teaching Certification.
Since graduating, Brian has continued to run consistently over the years and has been able to place consistently high at local road races, even winning a few.
In the time that Brian has been coaching for Messiah, the Falcons have seen consistant success, including multiple conference titles and national qualifiers in the events that he coaches. He has become an integral part of the program, and head coach Dale Fogelsanger recognized this by saying, “Brian’s devotion and commitment to Messiah cross country and track & field has truly been a blessing, for both myself and this team. He continually goes above and beyond, and works very hard to make Messiah the best it can be. He is loved and appreciated by everyone here.”Â
Following graduation, Hager started working at nearby Northern High School as a mathematics teacher. Brian also coached the Northern Middle School Cross Country Team during the fall. He left Northern when he started his graduate assistant position with the Falcons.
In his spare time, Hager enjoys partaking in adventure racing (a triathlon consisting of canoeing, mountain biking, and running/orienteering). Brian is also the co-founder of Team S.W.I.F.T. (Strength, Wisdom, Integrity, Faithfulness, and Truth), a racing team of mostly Messiah track & field/cross country alumni founded to give runners a chance to stay connected to their teammates after graduation and to glorify God with the blessing he has given in running.
Last updated: 12/06/22
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