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Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight: Samuel Hafner – De Pere football, lacrosse

Samuel Hafner
Samuel Hafner

By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor


Samuel Hafner is a senior on the De Pere football team.

Hafner, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound inside linebacker, also plays lacrosse.

In his spare time, he likes to spend time with friends, listen to music and be active.

Hafner is still unsure of his college plans but hopes to play football at the next level.

Name: Samuel Hafner
Nickname: Sam
School: De Pere
Sports: Football, lacrosse
Parents: Kristin and Rance
Twitter: @SamHafner1

Tell me about your family.

“I have three younger siblings. My sister Kate is 10, my youngest brother Jake is 12 and my other brother Max is 14. My mom is from Arcadia, Wisconsin, and my dad grew up in Beulah, North Dakota.”

Do you come from a sports family?

“My dad played football and my mom did basketball and volleyball. Max plays football and lacrosse, Jake does football and basketball and Kate is starting basketball and volleyball.”

Did you ever try any other sports at De Pere?

“I tried track and field for a day my freshman year, but I found out it wasn’t for me. I switched to lacrosse the next day.”

Is there one you wish you had tried?

“Definitely basketball – I wish I had picked it up earlier.”

What’s it like having Chad Michalkiewicz as your head coach?

“As a sophomore, I was on varsity and our relationship wasn’t bad, but it’s way better now. I’ve had him as a teacher, and our bond is very strong. He has given me a lot of freedom, and he trusts me. It’s been great having him as a coach.”

What do you like most about playing middle linebacker?

“The ability to read a play, watch it develop and then react to it. Defensive linemen just hit, hit, hit.”

You’re fast for a big guy – have you always been this way?

“I had mono last spring break, so I was down to about 210 pounds. I got plenty of food in me after I recovered and gained my weight back, but I was slow. This summer, I made it a big goal to do more agility stuff to strengthen my legs – I feel great.”

What is your most memorable sports moment?

“Beating Green Bay Southwest last season, 30-28 – it was a great game. We returned a missed field goal for a touchdown and Max Minor kicked the game-winning field goal with only a few seconds left.”

An embarrassing moment?

“In eighth-grade basketball, the ball was thrown to me – I was so scared to have it passed to me – and I literally ducked, and the ball went over me. There was a girl I liked at the time and she was at the game. I looked at her, and she was laughing.”

Does a favorite family vacation come to mind?

“In the sixth grade, my parents and I went to China with the private school I was attending at the time.”

Do you have any bad habits?

“I’m a big junk-food guy – sometimes I’ll have a little too much ice cream.”

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

“The ability to travel the world and see different cultures.”

What is something about you most people don’t know?

“I moved from the Green Bay Preble school district into De Pere my seventh-grade year. I also played the piano until the eighth grade and really like to read.”

How do you want to be remembered at De Pere?

“More than a football player. I am nice and nice to people.”

Summer or winter?

“Summer.”

Cats or dogs?

“Dogs.”

Carpet or hardwood?

“Carpet.”

NFL or college football?

“College football.”

Fruits or veggies?

“Fruits.”

Favorites

Ice cream: Salted caramel
Singer: Jermaine Lamarr Cole (J. Cole)
Food: New York pizza
Sport to watch besides football: Basketball
Athlete: Damian Lillard

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