Posted: Sept. 29, 2009 |(0) Comments

Whitefish Bay — It was a normal Monday practice for the Whitefish Bay football team except that toward the end of it head coach Jim Tietjen had to hand his cell phone to punter/kicker Will Hagerup so he could talk to a member of the local media.

And that was about as exciting as it got that day for the Bay team, as Hagerup joined the ranks of the big-time, accepting an offer from the University of Michigan.

"We're really happy for Will," said Tietjen. "It's a great opportunity for him. One of the first times for us (as a team) that we get someone of this caliber to sign at such a high level."

Hagerup had been mulling over several high-profile schools all summer but made his decision when he visited Michigan last weekend. He has been rated anywhere from the first to the fourth-best punting prospect in the country by various agencies.

His brother, Chris, is a sophomore punter for Indiana and earned honorable mention All-Big 10 last season.

When Hagerup arrives on the Michigan campus next fall, it will give Bay a total of three active Division I football players as linebacker Nick Bellore is also a three-year letter-winner at Central Michigan.

Tietjen is also pleased that the recruiting process is now over and that Hagerup and the Blue Dukes can concentrate on their run toward the WIAA state playoffs and a potential North Shore Conference championship.

"There had been a ton of schools involved, and it had distracted a little bit from Will's high school experience," said Tietjen. The Michigan trip last weekend was the last of a whirlwind tour for the senior as Hagerup had made recent trips to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Florida.

Prior to making his decision, he reportedly had more than 15 Division I offers on the table.

 

- Steven L. Tietz