Dancin' To Durham - The Power of Perseverance

The second of six in a series spotlighting Morningside University football and their trip to the 2021 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' championship game Saturday, Dec. 18, deals with the dance that student-athletes take to get to the pinnacle. Senior offensive lineman and recent second team American Football Coaches Association/NAIA All-American Jason Hahlbeck (O'Neill, Neb.) understands the twists and turns it can take to be part of a championship heritage.

Seven knee injuries could have been enough for most young men to call it quits on the gridiron.

For Jason Hahlbeck, the words of his father, Keith, wouldn't allow it.

"Dad always told me that you need to finish whatever you start," he reflected. "Each time I got hurt, the thought of not playing football never occurred to me. It was just time to get going again and work to get back with my teammates and friends."

Hahlbeck, a fifth-year senior on the Morningside University offensive line, takes his persevering personality to practice and on to the game field in each instance. 

"I'm fortunate to have seen some of the best display their leadership while I've been here," he noted. "Guys like Garrett Temme and Trey Bradburn, both All-Americans, showed me how to do things the right way on and off the field. I've taken that lead and am doing the same with the new class. Myself and the rest of the upperclassmen want to keep the tradition of strong offensive play going."

He and fellow senior Hunter Behrens, one of his many friends on the 2021 squad, make up an excellent combination for coach Jay Schlichte to help steer the ship upfront.

"We're a little bit of a good cop, bad cop scenario," he mentioned with a laugh. "Hunter can be the one some guys go to when things are getting rough, as he likes being everyone's buddy. I'm the one who gets everyone in line if needed."

"For me, being a talker, I understand there's need to be more vocal when it's called for," he added. 

Hahlbeck's dad isn't the only role model driving him in life. Schlichte, his position coach, also plays an important role.

"He has a brilliant mind schemes-wise," he said. "The stuff he sees in film is so impressive and works well. We didn't surrender any sacks last year and, honestly, haven't had too many hits to the QB since he has been here. He fits things up for different teams very well." 

"Coach Schlichte is just a lot of fun to be around," he added. "He keeps the mood up in practices and games in different ways, especially when he wants to race us out of the locker room. Some guys like challenging him during those times, but most just stand back chuckle a little about it. It shows the passion he has not only for our group but the entire team." 

Passion for the game and life is another Hahlbeck calling card. "My dad is a construction worker and always talks about never giving up and the idea that no matter how bad I think I have it, others have it a lot tougher."

An ideal he'll take from Morningside when his collegiate journey is complete – succeeding through perseverance whenever it's needed – something he understands well.