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1974 Co-Captains#42 Brian Hairston, #85 Joe Rodenfels

1974 Co-Captains
#42 Brian Hairston, #85 Joe Rodenfels

Week 1
Brian Hairston

1971-1974
Running Back

Where are living now?
Kansas City, MO

Did you play collegiately?
University of Minnesota

Married?  Children?
Married to my wife Nancy for 28 years, daughter Lisa who teaches in Portland Oregon.

What are you doing now?
Retired at age 46 from Cenveo as Senior Vice President of Human Resources. Prior to that I was Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Kellogg's in Battle Creek MI. As a retiree I own 20 rental houses for the disadvantaged and volunteer for the city teaching.

What is the fondest memory from your playing career at DeSales?
As co-captain of the freshman and varsity football teams with Joe Rodenfels. My career as a stallion goes beyond my playing years. We never beat Watterson during my 4 years at DeSales.

I remember the night before one of Minnesota's games against Michigan State, my father called to inform me that DeSales had beaten Watterson. After the phone call I sat back and savored the moment.  Someone said you must have gotten good news. I said no, I got great news.    

What was your best game?
I had a lot of really good games, rushing for over 250 yards in the first half of the Wehrle game.  But my best game came as a team when all three running backs (Tom Barr, Jim Winons and myself) rushed for over 100 yards.  We ran the triple option with a full house T.  Head coach Sharrock said he had never seen that before. 

What made playing for DeSales special?
We were more like a family than a team. I know it sounds funny but I felt like I could depend on the guys and I did not want to let them down. Not just on the field but off as well. In the Big 10 football is a business. Don't get me wrong it was fun etc. But, at DeSales we played for the love of the game. It is not all about football, when I reached Minnesota as a freshman I realized just how good DeSales was academically. I was prepared for college, it was not easy but I did not struggle like some.

Thanks DeSales.

What was it like playing for Coach Sharrock?
People have probably heard a lot of great things about "Treeze" Sharrock.  As a freshman he told me that always remember, "you are only as good as your teammates". I still live by that thought. With all the awards I have received in life, it always keeps me grounded in knowing I did not make it alone. He talked to me about life. Football was great but he cared about us as men. He coached me in Football, he coached me as president of the class, he coached me in Minnesota and God rest his soul he is still coaching me know.  

Do you still follow DeSales, if yes, how closely?
Living in Kansas City, I don't follow as much as I should. I did make it back when Tony Pusateri honored coach Guido Ricevuto, who had been my coach at St. Augustine grade school. Although I am miles away I am still a Stallion. Good luck and keep the PRIDE.