Steven Hauschka

#4, Kicker, Seattle Seahawks (NFL)

As the first Middlebury College graduate (Class of 2007) to play in an NFL game, current Seattle Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka stands as one of the school’s most successful athletes. Hauschka holds virtually all of Middlebury Football’s kicking records, and has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades throughout his NCAA career. Following his successful Middlebury Career, Hauschka played out his final year of college football eligibility at North Carolina State. After his college football career had come to a close, Hauschka embarked on a journey to play football at the highest level in the NFL. While Hauschka has solidified his role as an integral part of the Seattle Seahawks, his path to the pros was not an easy one, as the Pro-Bowl kicker bounced around six different NFL rosters before finding success and stability in Seattle. Here is Steven Hauschka’s Path to the Pros:

Middlebury College:

Arriving at Middlebury in 2004, Hauschka had no intention of playing college football or pursuing a football career. Hauschka was initially interested in pursuing a degree in Neuroscience and playing Soccer and Lacrosse, yet the influence of his college roommates (both members of the Middlebury Football team) prompted Hauschka to try out for the football team. Even though Hauschka had never kicked a football until his sophomore year at Middlebury, his subsequent college football career blossomed into a very successful one. Steve earned Second Team All-NESCAC honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons, and eventually earned a spot on the First All-NESCAC Team in his senior year. For someone with no football experience before his career at Middlebury College, Hauschka’s success is unprecedented and impressive, as he holds the schools record for both field goals in a season (10) and career field goals (20).

NC State:

After a great Division III career at Middlebury College, Hauschka played out his final year of football eligibility at NC State. While Hauschka was the recipient of several acceptances from prestigious graduate schools, he wanted to test his kicking skills at the Division I level. Steven’s career at NC State started out with a missed field goal and only lasted a single season, yet this lone season was an extremely memorable and successful one. Hauschka went on to lead the ACC in field goal accuracy during the 2007-2008 season, earning a spot as a finalist for the Lou Groza award (nation’s top kicker). He was an instrumental component of the Wolfpack’s offense, responsible for several game winning kicks and 33% of the team’s total points scored.

NFL

At the end of his NC State career, the Minnesota Vikings (NFL) signed Hauschka as an undrafted free agent. A large majority of current NFL stars are products of college football powerhouses like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Miami, and Texas, yet Hauschka’s continued success at Middlebury College and NC State earned him an opportunity to compete at football’s highest level. Hauschka initially bounced around the rosters of the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, and the UFL’s Las Vegas Locomotives. Following this trend of instability and roster changes, Hauschka found a home playing for the Seattle Seahawks. He was signed as the Seahawks’ kicker in 2011 and became their starting kicker during the 2012-2013 season. While the Seahawks represent Hauschka’s 6^th NFL team since 2008, he has grown into a consistent and reliable member of his team, earning the respect of coaches and players league-wide.

NFL Accomplishments:

FG Attempted: 114
FG Made: 98
FG %: 86%
2013 FG%: 94.3%
Career Long 54yd FG

Hauschka’s NFL Profile

Hauschka’s NESCAC Student Athlete Profile

Middlebury Campus: Hauschka’s Future in the NFL

Seattle Times: Hauschka’s Success with the Seahawks

Hauschka’s Photo in Midldebury College’s 2007 Kaleidoscope

Images used:

Path to the Pros: Middlebury College

Middlebury College's Professional Athletes

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