Augustana University Athletics

        Owen Hoegh took the mound often during his Augustana baseball career and in the process rewrote the Viking record book.
            He faced more batters (1,039) than any pitcher in the history of the Viking baseball program. He also holds the career record for most innings pitched (236).
            Five times he was voted North Central Conference Pitcher of the Week. He was chosen to All-NCC teams in 2003 and 2004, and was an academic all-conference choice in 2003 and 2004. The Argus Leader honored him as its Athlete of the Week.
            The 6-foot-4 left-hander was named the Vikings’ most valuable player in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Augustana qualified for the four-team conference tournament all three years and won the NCC title in 2003.
            “The whole journey our team took under Coach Jeff Holm’s leadership was very special to me,” said Hoegh. “I think of the 2003 conference championship in Greeley, Co. We gave everything we had in that tournament and were good enough, and fortunate enough to win the championship.”
            Winning the conference title was particularly satisfying for Hoegh.
            “Being able to share that moment with my teammates, our coaches, Borgy (Larry Borgum), my parents, and my future wife, Leah, was incredible.”
            At one point Hoegh held single-season records for wins (8), strikeouts (78), and innings pitched (81). His career records included wins (20) and strikeouts (207).
            Hoegh played with the Sioux Falls Canaries in 2004. He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 2004 and released in 2005 following spring training.
            Dr. Craig Spencer had a big impact on Hoegh’s academic development.
            “Dr. Craig was a professor that showed genuine enthusiasm for the content we were studying. More importantly, he cared about each student and he made the student experience memorable through his demeanor and preparation.”
            Hoegh also harbors special memories of Larry Borgum.
            “Borgy did anything and everything for Augie athletics. Having a father who played football at Augie in the 1970s, I knew Borgy before attending college. He was always happy to be at the ballpark, and his presence made me feel like Augustana was home.”
Owen’s dad, Brent ‘78, was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.
            Hoegh earned a Master’s of Arts in teaching from Augustana and also served as a graduate assistant with the baseball team. He taught for five years at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls and currently teaches seventh grade science in his hometown of Byron, MN.
            Since 2015 he has served as chair of the education committee at Christ Lutheran Church. He has coached the Byron High School varsity volleyball team for six years, and for six years has served as director of the Byron Volleyball Club.
            Hoegh and his wife, Leah Enstad ‘04, are the parents of four daughters: Clara, Elsie, Ada, and Greta.
            Augustana University is proud to induct Owen Hoegh into the Athletic Hall of Fame.