Spartan alumni George and Gunnar Hansen may have been impactful players on the field but were more so off the field. Using their college baseball knowledge, they have passed their legacy onto the current Spartan players.
Growing up, George and Gunnar Hansen were not only close brothers but were a dynamic duo on the diamond. The game of baseball grew a bond between the two like no other, benefiting their motivation to build more relationships through the game.
“It was the way the game became the thread that pulled our lives together. Baseball was our world, and having my brother right there in the trenches with me made the game feel like it belonged to us and nobody else,” said Gunnar.
After high school, both of the Hansens committed to play at the collegiate level.
George (often known as “Puddy”) committed to pitch at Ellsworth community college before transferring to Wisconsin-Whitewater for his junior season. There he won the D3 college baseball national championship. Now Hansen is currently pitching at the D1 level for Oakland University.
Gunnar committed to play catcher at North Iowa Area Community College for 2 years. In 2022, Hansen transferred to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma to finish out his baseball career. Hansen graduated from college in 2025 and is now teaching Physical Education at Northwestern Middle School.
Over the years, the Hansen brothers have left their mark on Spartan baseball. Both George and Gunnar would hold separate training sessions to give guidance for their respective positions.
When it came to coaching, the Hansens made it more than just a game. They emphasized on building a strong connection and building fun competition while still trying to make players better.
Gunnar held sessions for not only catching, but for hitting and fielding. These sessions were so crucial because he was teaching the most important parts of the game to young players that were still mentally and physically growing in baseball.
“I wanted to help them use the game to build the same character it gave me: the resilience to handle a strikeout, the grit to block a ball in the dirt, and the leadership to command a field,” said Gunnar.
Senior Captain Jayce Rue was one of the many students of Gunnar’s game. Rue believes Hansen’s commitment to not only him, but his teammates were detrimental to his leadership on and off the field.
“Gunnar would push us to get better everyday with him but also make it fun by adding a game at the end. He showed us how to be a leader by putting in extra work frequently,” Rue stated.
George often held throwing sessions for some of the current Spartan pitchers such as Dawson Ahlborg, Carter Gilbertson, and more with pitching mechanics and the arm care that comes with it. His main goal was to give back knowledge that he didn’t know when he was growing up, especially to good players that were coming up.
“Puddy [George] provided tons of opportunities for me to play and get reps out of season. He made the training sessions fun while still making me better,” said Senior Carter Gilbertson.
Baseball meant the world to the Hansens. The built in competition that made them better, the constant support and criticism. All of this not only grew them closer to each other, but to the game.
“I love the camaraderie, relationships, and the adrenaline rush. I also love how its a game of failure and its about how you come back after you fail,” said George.
This game gave the Hansen brothers everything: The discipline, their toughest moments, and their proudest wins. While they fought adversity, their love for baseball outweighed any hardship. Using this mentality, George and Gunnar were able to pass on their knowledge to current Spartan players to see them succeed as they both did.
