Dave Hauck

David "Haucker" Hauck (July 26, 1931 – July 13, 2019) was an American competitive swimmer for Gustavus Adolphus College and a swimming coach for St. Olaf College serving as Head Coach for 40 years from 1973–2013, where he led the team to 43 Minnesota Conference (MIAC) championships which included 28 for the men's team, and 15 for the women's teams. While at St. Olaf, he also served 30 years as an Assistant Football Coach, nine years as the Gymnastic's Coach for Men, seven years as the Men's Golf Coach, and six years as a softball coach.

Education and swimming Born on July 26, 1931 in Madison, Minnesota to Mary and Leslie Hauck, he attended Madison High School, graduating in 1949. In 1952 he helped lead Gustavus Adolphus to the MIAC Team Conference Championship, earning two more individual titles that included a win in the 50-yard freestyle where he set a new state record of 24.7 seconds, as well as a win in the 100-yard freestyle.

In the 1953 MIAC Championships, he set another 50-yard freestyle record, and was on a winning 400-yard relay team that set a record time of 3:54.8. With Hauck scoring consistently in the conference championships, Gustavus Adolphus were the runners-up for the Minnesota (MIAC) state conference championship in both 1951 and 1953, demonstrating the team's high standing in the conference during Hauck's tenure as a swimmer.

Graduating Gustavus in 1953, he obtained a Master’s degree in physical education at Minnesota's Bemidji State University, and served in the Army Medical Corps from 1953–1955. He married his wife Mary while still in the service on July 10, 1954, in her hometown of Warren, Minnesota.

Coaching Beginning his coaching career after completing his military service, Hauck coached and taught in Henderson, Minnesota from around 1955–1958. From 1958–1966, he coached and taught in his hometown of Madison, Minnesota, where in May 1966 while coaching football at Madison Prep, he was a nominee for the Coach of the Year by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association.

While at St. Olaf, he also served 30 years as an Assistant Football Coach beginning in the late 60's, seven years as the Gymnastic's Coach for Men from 1966–1973, seven years as the Men's Golf Coach, and six years as the softball coach. Earning a Masters from Bemidji State University in Physical Education, Hauck also taught in St. Olaf's Exercise Department for thirty years. He also coached Kevin Casson to an impressive five titles that included two in the 500 free in 1986 and 1989 and three in the 1650 free in 1987–89.

Among his most decorated swimmers was his son Bob Hauck, who was a 1987 national Division III Swimmer of the Year. Bob co-coached St. Olaf with his father Dave from 1988, and continued through at least the 2020 season. For his tenure and contributions at the university, he was inducted to the St. Olaf College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. In his honor, St. Olaf annually presents the Dave Hauck Trophy to two senior athletes, one male and one female, in their final eligible year to recognize service, achievement, and excellence. St. Olaf also presents the Dave Hauck Award Fund Endowment to recognize athletes that best represent the college's ideals. Hauck was also recognized in the CSCAA 100 Greatest Swimming Coaches of the Century.