Today, CFC shines the spotlight on Class 2009 star linebacker and recent University of Manitoba commit, Mike Hauptkorn. Mike has been playing football since he was 10 years of age.
Mike Hauptkorn
Positions:
Linebacker
Height/Weight:
6’2, 215 lbs
Teams:
Winnipeg Rifles (junior: PFC)
Murdoch MacKay Clansmen (high school: WHSFL)
Transcona Nationals (midget)
Team Manitoba
Commitment:
Commitment to University of Manitoba
Class:
2009
Over the years, Mike has steadily moved his way up into Manitoba’s elite defensive football ranks. Among the teams he’s suited up for during his career include the Transcona Nationals, the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen of the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL) and most recently the Winnipeg Rifles of the Prairie Football Conference (PFC). Additionally, the standout has represented his home province as a member of Team Manitoba.
In his senior year, Mike experienced a crushing moment in his career that to this day has lingered on his mind and used as a motivational tool.
“My most memorable football moment would be losing the Currie Division championship game in my senior year in high school,” explains the defensive standout. “It’s not a good memory, but I don’t think I will ever be able to forget it.”
Throughout his entire career, Mike has been recognized for his exceptional play on the field. Among the honours he’s received include midget league all-star (2006), Nationals team rookie of the year (2006), Clansmen team MVP (2007), two time Clansmen team defensive player of the year (2007, 2008), WHSFL Avanet all-star team selection (2008), WHSFL Currie Division defensive player of the year (2008), Rifles team rookie of the year (2009), Prairie Conferences rookie all-star team selection (2009) and Rifles team defensive player of the year (2011). Additionally in 2011, the defensive star was second leading tackler in the PFC league.
As for the next chapter of his football career, Mike is about to realize a childhood dream. Recently, he committed to the University of Manitoba.
“I choose to play there because I grew up in Manitoba and my dream since I was little was to play for the Bisons and I always wanted my family and friends to be able to watch me play,” adds the future Bisons player of his main reason to commit to the school.
There are many individuals Mike credits for getting him where’s he’s at today as a player and a person.
“The most influential people in my life are my parents as they’ve supported me my whole football career and have given me the chance to pursue my dreams and for that I’m very grateful,” comments the Rifles linebacker. “The most influential people in my football career would be all the coaches I’ve had at the Winnipeg Rifles as they’ve helped me grow tremendously as a football player.”
Two players Mike tries to emulate are linebackers Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens) and Derrick Brooks (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Moreover, the defensive standout says he is a big fan of the Penn State Nittany Lions of the NCAA.
With regards to academic goals, Mike plans to apply to the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba. Ultimately, he would like to either obtain a degree in business management or a bachelor of social work degree.
As he prepares to embark on the next phase of his life at the University of Manitoba, Mike will take with him the hard work ethic he’s learned on the field and apply it to all future football and life endeavours.
“Football has taught me that there is no substitute for hard work,” explains Mike. “If you want to be successful in life you have to work hard; not cut corners and be prepared to make sacrifices to achieve your goals.”
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