Augustana University Athletics

            Kevin Kaesviharn competed in many memorable games during his collegiate and professional football career.
            Perhaps none was more challenging than the clash with the University of Northern Colorado in 1996 at Howard Wood Field. An ice storm the previous day had turned the playing surface into a skating rink.
            Game officials mulled canceling the game. But, the visitors were in the hunt for post-season action and Augustana graciously agreed to play. UNC won the “ice bowl” and claimed the North Central Conference regular season championship and its first NCAA Division II title.
            “We sent the redshirts out to break up the ice, but they couldn’t,” said Kaesviharn. “Every time you made a tackle, shards of ice would scrape your arms and legs. It was the coldest, wettest and most fun game in weather conditions I have ever played; maybe not as much fun as I thought.”
            Kaesviharn started three years at defensive back for Augustana. Following the 1997 season he was selected to the All-North Central Conference Team and to the Daktronics All-America second team. He was chosen to play in the 1997 Cactus Bowl.
            His career statistics with the Vikings include 167 tackles, six pass interceptions, and 34 pass breakups. His senior season he ranked third on the team with 68 tackles, including 44 solo stops, and paced the team with two interceptions and 12 pass breakups.
            Post-season awards included GTE Academic All-America District VII second team and Daktronics Division II All-Midwest Region second team.
            He competed with the Viking track and field team and finished fourth in the triple jump and sixth in the triple jump at the NCC outdoor championships.
            In 1999, after a year away from football, he was named rookie of the year by the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. He picked off five passes in 10 games before being sidelined with an injury. In 2000 he was named to the All-Arena first team as a defensive specialist. He was the third player in Arena Football League history to register 100 tackles in a season.
            Kaesviharn joined the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He was waived before the season opener and four weeks later signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
            He played five seasons with the Bengals and registered 363 tackles in 87 games. He also had 15 pass interceptions and six sacks. He finished his pro career with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, and Tennessee Titans.
            Kaesviharn works as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He volunteers for Cub Scouts, church, school, and sports activities. He and his wife, Michelle Hewitt ‘97, are the parents of three children: Kristian, Xavier, and McKenzie.
            Augustana University is proud to induct Kevin Kaesviharn into the Athletic Hall of Fame.