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- Title:
- Student-Athlete
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- Previous College Sports Played:
- Men's Track & Field
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- Graduating Class:
- 1930
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- Induction Class:
- 1971
Bio
Luverne, Minn., native Elmer Hansen was a force on the cinders as a competitor, and later as a coach. Hansen captured three consecutive North Central Conference titles in the 880-yard run, and became the first conference runner to break the two-minute barrier with a 1:59.6 clocking in 1929.
Together with Wayne Menter, Fletcher Kettle, and Clarence Bale, the “four horsemen” teamed up to capture 880-yard, and mile relay events at the Drake Relays, South Dakota Relays, and NCC meets. Hansen coached football, basketball, and track at Lennox, South Dakota High School from 1930-35. In 1936, he began a 35-year association with Sioux Falls Washington High School, first serving as an assistant track coach under Howard Wood for 13 seasons. In 1946, Hansen became cross country coach for the Warriors, a position he held for 22 seasons, guiding the team to three state championships. In 1949, he was named head track coach where he led Washington to 12 state titles in 21 years, including a remarkable nine in a row. Hansen was inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame.