University of West Alabama

Ben Hageseth returns for the 2024-25 academic year as the Wildcat Tennis Head Coach. Hageseth’s tenure with the Wildcats includes leading the program as the head coach from 2007 to 2015 and acting as an assistant coach for the past five seasons. 

The Wildcats saw a multitude of success under Hageseth’s leadership as head coach, guiding the program to a MIAC Regular Season Championship Title in 2013 on top of supporting the student-athletes to achieve 27 singles and doubles All-MIAC selections. Hageseth had three Chris Evert Award selections, which is awarded to a female senior student-athlete from the MIAC with outstanding athletic, academic and humanitarian achievements.  Hageseth himself earned two MIAC Coach of the Year Awards on top of earning Central Region Coach of the Year in 2013. 

Most recently, in his role as assistant coach, Hageseth played a vital role in the success of current graduate student-athlete Kelsey Dorr along with Sofia Walker ‘24. Hageseth helped guide them to become the program’s first ever All-America selections and earn the program’s first ITA Midwest Regional Doubles Championship Title. 

Prior to his arrival at St. Kate's, Hageseth was the head coach of the girls tennis program at St. Paul Academy. Hageseth is also a coach at the Tennis and Life Camps in St. Peter, Minn., and works as a tennis professional at Lifetime Fitness.

Hageseth received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Gustavus in 2003 where he played tennis under Steve Wilkinson – the winningest coach in collegiate tennis history. Hageseth also has a professional certification from the United States Professional Tennis Association.