College of St. Catherine Women's Tennis

Gaard has been named Assistant Tennis Coach and Athletics Facilities Coordinator for St. Catherine University for the 2015-16 season following a successful two-year term as Assistant Director for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and an All-American collegiate tennis career.   "I am thrilled to have Megan join our department and our tennis program," said Stacey. "She brings a wealth of experience in both coaching and playing collegiate tennis, and her recent work with the MIAC in athletic administration will be a great benefit to entire athletic department."   In her role as Assistant Tennis Coach, Gaard assist with all aspects of team practices and program management in addition to taking on recruiting duties. Gaard will also continue developing her experience in athletics administration as Athletics Facilities Coordinator.   During her time at the MIAC, Gaard gained excellent athletics administration experience through a two-year postion funded by the NCAA Division III Women and Ethnic Minority Internship Grant program. Gaard planned the second MIAC Student-Athlete Leadership Conference held in August 2014, while also assisting with sports information, compliance, strategic planning and event management.   In addition to her experience at the MIAC office, Gaard was a two-sport standout MIAC student-athlete at Gustavus Adolphus College where she competed in tennis and basketball. She helped the Gusties capture three MIAC women's tennis regular-season and playoff championships. Gaard also earned All-American, All-MIAC and Academic All-Conference honors as a Gustavus tennis player.   "I am excited to continue working within the MIAC and for the opportunity to join the St. Catherine University staff," said Gaard. "Over the last few years, the St. Catherine tennis program has shown great improvement and has had tremendous success in the MIAC. I am looking forward to adding to the continued growth and success of the Wildcat tennis team."   Following her impressive playing career, Gaard spent one season as an assistant coach at the University of Chicago where she was responsible for recruiting for the women's and men's tennis programs. She also worked with event management, promotions, community service and alumni relations.   In addition to her collegiate playing and coaching experience, Gaard has also worked as a junior tennis instructor and currently serves as a tennis professional at Interlochen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota.   Gaard received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Gustavus in 2012. She will complete her Masters of Arts for Coaching and Athletics Administration this summer from Concordia University Irvine.   Megan Gaard Head Tennis Coach/Athletics Facilities Coordinator Megan Gaard has been named Assistant Tennis Coach and Athletics Facilities Coordinator for St. Catherine University for the 2015-16 season following a successful two-year term as Assistant Director for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and an All-American collegiate tennis career.   "I am thrilled to have Megan join our department and our tennis program," said Stacey. "She brings a wealth of experience in both coaching and playing collegiate tennis, and her recent work with the MIAC in athletic administration will be a great benefit to entire athletic department."   In her role as Assistant Tennis Coach, Gaard assist with all aspects of team practices and program management in addition to taking on recruiting duties. Gaard will also continue developing her experience in athletics administration as Athletics Facilities Coordinator.   During her time at the MIAC, Gaard gained excellent athletics administration experience through a two-year postion funded by the NCAA Division III Women and Ethnic Minority Internship Grant program. Gaard planned the second MIAC Student-Athlete Leadership Conference held in August 2014, while also assisting with sports information, compliance, strategic planning and event management.   In addition to her experience at the MIAC office, Gaard was a two-sport standout MIAC student-athlete at Gustavus Adolphus College where she competed in tennis and basketball. She helped the Gusties capture three MIAC women's tennis regular-season and playoff championships. Gaard also earned All-American, All-MIAC and Academic All-Conference honors as a Gustavus tennis player.   "I am excited to continue working within the MIAC and for the opportunity to join the St. Catherine University staff," said Gaard. "Over the last few years, the St. Catherine tennis program has shown great improvement and has had tremendous success in the MIAC. I am looking forward to adding to the continued growth and success of the Wildcat tennis team."   Following her impressive playing career, Gaard spent one season as an assistant coach at the University of Chicago where she was responsible for recruiting for the women's and men's tennis programs. She also worked with event management, promotions, community service and alumni relations.   In addition to her collegiate playing and coaching experience, Gaard has also worked as a junior tennis instructor and currently serves as a tennis professional at Interlochen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota.   Gaard received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Gustavus in 2012. She will complete her Masters of Arts for Coaching and Athletics Administration this summer from Concordia University Irvine.  

Ben Hageseth returns for the 2024-25 academic year as the Wildcat Tennis Head Coach. Hageseth’s tenure with the Wildcats includes leading the program as the head coach from 2007 to 2015 and acting as an assistant coach for the past five seasons.  The Wildcats saw a multitude of success under Hageseth’s leadership as head coach, guiding the program to a MIAC Regular Season Championship Title in 2013 on top of supporting the student-athletes to achieve 27 singles and doubles All-MIAC selections. Hageseth had three Chris Evert Award selections, which is awarded to a female senior student-athlete from the MIAC with outstanding athletic, academic and humanitarian achievements.  Hageseth himself earned two MIAC Coach of the Year Awards on top of earning Central Region Coach of the Year in 2013.  Most recently, in his role as assistant coach, Hageseth played a vital role in the success of current graduate student-athlete Kelsey Dorr along with Sofia Walker ‘24. Hageseth helped guide them to become the program’s first ever All-America selections and earn the program’s first ITA Midwest Regional Doubles Championship Title.  Prior to his arrival at St. Kate's, Hageseth was the head coach of the girls tennis program at St. Paul Academy. Hageseth is also a coach at the Tennis and Life Camps in St. Peter, Minn., and works as a tennis professional at Lifetime Fitness. Hageseth received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Gustavus in 2003 where he played tennis under Steve Wilkinson – the winningest coach in collegiate tennis history. Hageseth also has a professional certification from the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Stacey begins his 17th year as a coach and administrator at St. Catherine University in 2015.  Stacey has served as Director of Athletics since 2005 and has led the department to dramatic growth and success during his tenure through implementation of creative strategic initiatives.   Since Staceys appointment as athletic director, the number of student-athletes at St. Kates has more than doubled thanks to his leadership in the successful addition of several varsity sports.  The athletics recruiting class in the fall of 2014 was the largest in St. Kates history showing strong signs of departmental growth moving forward.   Stacey instituted a corporate sponsorship program for St. Kates athletics that now boasts more than 20 corporate partners which includes an agreement with Adidas to serve as the Wildcats lead sponsor for outfitting all varsity programs.  Individual giving has also increased dramatically over the last 10 years and is now an integral part of the Universitys strategic plan and budgeting.  A collaborative partnership with the University Development Office has been an important part of Staceys vision for the athletic department.  Total annual giving to the athletic department has risen more than 10 times during Staceys time as athletic director.   Stacey has also led the Wildcats to increased competitive success. Collectively, the Wildcats have complied the top two department finishes University history in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) All-Sports Competition under Staceys direction.  The tennis program also won the MIAC regular season championship in 2013 a team for which Stacey worked as the assistant coach and more teams have qualified for post-season play than anytime in St. Kates history.   The increased level of competitive success can also be seen in the growing number of All-MIAC performances throughout his tenure.  The 2014-2015 academic year saw the most all-conference honors earned in University history and also a record-setting number of Academic All-MIAC awards.   The athletic department is currently implementing an aggressive athletics facility plan that was developed by Stacey and an athletics facility team in 2006.  The first phase a $9 million renovation and expansion of current facilities was completed in January of 2015.  The project included dedicated indoor practice spaces in Butler Center for softball, field and throws events, tennis, soccer and volleyball.  The expansion of Butler Center and renovation of Fontbonne Hall included the addition of first-class space for cardio equipment, a group fitness studio, eight classrooms and 15 offices.  The Butler Center now includes a pre-eminent space for St. Kates varsity athletes with locker rooms, a varsity lounge and team film room.    The next stage of the athletic facility plan calls for renovations and improvements to St. Kates outdoor athletics facilities and the construction of an indoor tennis and track facility.  The completion of the facility plan will meet the needs of a n expanding athletics department and will allow for strategic growth into the future.   Staceys 15 seasons as either head or assistant tennis coach has led to great success.  The Wildcats have been ranked in the top 15 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Region during eight of his years and the team has achieved a top-30 national ranking twice.  Wildcat tennis qualified for the 2004 NCAA Championships and advanced to the round of 16, finishing the season ranked No. 24 in the national poll.  In 2013, the Wildcats went a perfect 10-0 in the MIAC and won the regular season conference title the first MIAC championship in over 30 years at St. Kates.  During Staceys tenure his student-athletes have earned 55 all-conference honors. As head coach, Stacey was named the MIAC Coach-of-the-Year in 2002 and 2005.   Stacey graduated Magna Cum Laude from Gustavus Adolphus College with degrees in math and economics in 1993.  He earned his masters degree in economics from the University of Virginia in 1995.  During his time at the University of Virginia, he served as an assistant womens tennis coach and worked in the sports information department.  He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife of 16 years, Leslie who is a second grade teacher. Eric Stacey Athletic Director/Assistant Tennis Coach Eric Stacey begins his 17th year as a coach and administrator at St. Catherine University in 2015.  Stacey has served as Director of Athletics since 2005 and has led the department to dramatic growth and success during his tenure through implementation of creative strategic initiatives.   Since Staceys appointment as athletic director, the number of student-athletes at St. Kates has more than doubled thanks to his leadership in the successful addition of several varsity sports.  The athletics recruiting class in the fall of 2014 was the largest in St. Kates history showing strong signs of departmental growth moving forward.   Stacey instituted a corporate sponsorship program for St. Kates athletics that now boasts more than 20 corporate partners which includes an agreement with Adidas to serve as the Wildcats lead sponsor for outfitting all varsity programs.  Individual giving has also increased dramatically over the last 10 years and is now an integral part of the Universitys strategic plan and budgeting.  A collaborative partnership with the University Development Office has been an important part of Staceys vision for the athletic department.  Total annual giving to the athletic department has risen more than 10 times during Staceys time as athletic director.   Stacey has also led the Wildcats to increased competitive success. Collectively, the Wildcats have complied the top two department finishes University history in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) All-Sports Competition under Staceys direction.  The tennis program also won the MIAC regular season championship in 2013 a team for which Stacey worked as the assistant coach and more teams have qualified for post-season play than anytime in St. Kates history.   The increased level of competitive success can also be seen in the growing number of All-MIAC performances throughout his tenure.  The 2014-2015 academic year saw the most all-conference honors earned in University history and also a record-setting number of Academic All-MIAC awards.   The athletic department is currently implementing an aggressive athletics facility plan that was developed by Stacey and an athletics facility team in 2006.  The first phase a $9 million renovation and expansion of current facilities was completed in January of 2015.  The project included dedicated indoor practice spaces in Butler Center for softball, field and throws events, tennis, soccer and volleyball.  The expansion of Butler Center and renovation of Fontbonne Hall included the addition of first-class space for cardio equipment, a group fitness studio, eight classrooms and 15 offices.  The Butler Center now includes a pre-eminent space for St. Kates varsity athletes with locker rooms, a varsity lounge and team film room.    The next stage of the athletic facility plan calls for renovations and improvements to St. Kates outdoor athletics facilities and the construction of an indoor tennis and track facility.  The completion of the facility plan will meet the needs of a n expanding athletics department and will allow for strategic growth into the future.   Staceys 15 seasons as either head or assistant tennis coach has led to great success.  The Wildcats have been ranked in the top 15 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Region during eight of his years and the team has achieved a top-30 national ranking twice.  Wildcat tennis qualified for the 2004 NCAA Championships and advanced to the round of 16, finishing the season ranked No. 24 in the national poll.  In 2013, the Wildcats went a perfect 10-0 in the MIAC and won the regular season conference title the first MIAC championship in over 30 years at St. Kates.  During Staceys tenure his student-athletes have earned 55 all-conference honors. As head coach, Stacey was named the MIAC Coach-of-the-Year in 2002 and 2005.   Stacey graduated Magna Cum Laude from Gustavus Adolphus College with degrees in math and economics in 1993.  He earned his masters degree in economics from the University of Virginia in 1995.  During his time at the University of Virginia, he served as an assistant womens tennis coach and worked in the sports information department.  He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife of 16 years, Leslie who is a second grade teacher.