Augustana University Athletics

Dr. Clarence Hagen won six varsity athletic letters at Augustana—in football and basketball—missing his junior year due to illness. A native of Webster, S.D., Hagen became a football star during his freshman year and helped the Vikings to their fifth consecutive league championship. He also was reserve center on the varsity cage team as the Vikes took a second conference crown.

He again started at end for "Lefty" Olson's gridders in the fall of 1937 and established a new record for most touchdowns scored with pass receptions in a season. Following the graduation of Julian Jensen, Hagen took over as the regular Viking center and was often the team's scoring leader.

An illness prevented his competition with the football team and, though he gave basketball a brief try, was forced to the sidelines for the court season as well. During his senior year he again aided the Vikes in nailing down a conference title. In his three varsity years, Augustana compiled a 22-3 overall record and won three South Dakota Conference titles. The Viking cagers won a league crown in basketball as well.

Hagen served for three years as a naval officer in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Upon his return he resumed his studies at the University of South Dakota and completed a medical degree at the Illinois College of Optometry in 1951. He retired from his optometic practice in 1982.

The Hagens are an "Augustana family." Dr. Hagen's parents both attended Augustana College in Canton. His wife, the former Joyce Steinbach was the 1938 Viking Days queen.  All four of their children attended Augustana and both of their sons played football for the Vikings.