A Closer Look at Northland Pines Eagles Boys and Girls Head Soccer Coach Rodney Sternhagen: Baked or Fried?
OnFocus: What sports did you play in high school?
Sternhagen: I tried any sporty parents let me. I wrestled my freshman year while playing hockey and the wrestling coach made me make a choice between hockey and wrestling. Hands down Hockey. I also played soccer and golf and tried Football senior year
OnFocus: How do amateur sports benefit students, parents, and the community?
Sternhagen: Most importantly amateur sports help players juggle a busy life and helps them become a better student ultimately preparing them for post high school and college and careers. For parents it brings families together and they learn how to support their children through adversity and success. For a community it brings pride and allows them to follow local teams and root for their success.
OnFocus: How have you been involved in sports in your adult life?
Sternhagen: I have been coaching at some level for about 20 years now. It started as a volunteer. Ad a volunteer you dedicate a great deal of FREE time to making sure young children can enjoy sports! As a teacher, I wanted to continue giving back to the sports I played and extend the classroom onto the field or rink.
OnFocus: What do you enjoy about your involvement in athletics?
Sternhagen: I enjoy those that struggle and work hard ultimately seeing success. In a small school like ours, we have to get girls and boys that may not have played the sport just to get enough for a team. We don’t have the luxury or super teams, we have to build it through hard work. When it comes to tough contest grit wins all the time.
OnFocus: If there could only be one concession food in the world, what would you want it to be?
Sternhagen: Pizza
OnFocus: What would you do with the money if you won 10 millions dollars in the lottery?
Sternhagen: At my age I would like to retire and enjoy time with my family and focus on coaching at a deeper level. I would make sure my family was taken care.of and then give back to the community. Maybe indoor facility or money to the rink.
OnFocus: Is there something most people don’t know about you?
Sternhagen: Hmm, I am a pretty open book and if someone wants to know I tell them. It doesn’t happen often but I like naps.
OnFocus: What job did you want when you were growing up?
Sternhagen: I loved animals and wanted to be a veterinarian. I actually started college as a premed major but being a struggling test taker and some who struggled to comprehend what I read, I had to change my.major.
OnFocus: What do you most enjoy watching on television?
Sternhagen: Sports It is NHL playoff time! If not sports then any Law and Orders
OnFocus: Who was an influential coach that has made a difference in your life? Long Time Rhinelander High School Soccer Coach and close friend Dan Millot. I shadowed him for over three years and his passion, love for his players and integrity insured that my coaching style would work. When I was coached it was military style and I knew I never wanted to coach the do it or else style.
OnFocus: How do you unwind and enjoy your free time?
Sternhagen: I love family time. I still play hockey and I spend a.great.deal.of time on mountain bike trails and fat.tire. When not in season I like to fish, a little golf and just enjoying the outdoors and our beautiful lakes.
OnFocus: What would be an appropriate Super Hero nickname for you, and what would your powers be?
Sternhagen: Well one of my players just.gave me a gift as she was graduating and it was a mug that said Rodfather. My power would be helping everyone reach their goals and dreams
OnFocus: Who are your favorite athletes?
Sternhagen: I love the gritty hard working players. As a kid it was Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky. Today it’s my players especially those that work hard and help others!
OnFocus: Who is your role model(s)?
Sternhagen: My father and mother. My wife and children. Anyone that has taken the time to help me be better!
OnFocus: Baked or Fried?
Sternhagen: I love fried but as I get older, I know it’s not so great for me so airfry.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
