WELLS – Shock and sadness were the prevailing emotions as news of Dallas Hagen’s death reached the United South Central school district and Wells community.

Friday, August 10, 2001

WELLS – Shock and sadness were the prevailing emotions as news of Dallas Hagen’s death reached the United South Central school district and Wells community.

Hagen, who taught physical education in Wells and coached the USC girls’ tennis team since 1978, collapsed Tuesday during an indoor doubles tennis match at Northwest Athletic Club in Burnsville. The cause of death was heart failure. She was 54.

&uot;It’s a huge loss for the girls’ tennis team, the physical education department and the community,&uot; said USC Athletic Director Brent Schimek. &uot;You’re not going to replace a person like that.&uot;

&uot;I heard about it (Wednesday), and my first reaction was disbelief,&uot; said USC girls’ basketball coach Dale Koestler. &uot;It’s shocking. Her passing is going to be just a tremendous loss, not only to her family, but to the community. She had such a great rapport with everyone. She was like a pillar of the community.&uot;

According to Koestler, Hagen will be remembered as not only a top-notch coach and teacher but also a first class individual.

&uot;Everything I can think of that’s positive, that was Dallas,&uot; said Koestler. &uot;She left her imprint on so many people in a positive way. The way Dallas lived her life is the way a lot of people would like to – but not all of us can get there.&uot;

Considered a pioneer in girls’ high school sports, Hagen started the gymnastics program and coached tennis at Mahtomedi from 1969-78 before moving to Wells. Her USC teams were among the most successful in the state, with a dual-meet win-loss record of 134-24 in 10 seasons. Four of Hagen’s tennis teams, including last year’s, played in the Class A state tournament.

Hagen coached all three of her daughters – Pepper, Brooke and Lindsay – and all three went on to play tennis at Luther College. Hagen and her husband, Gary, a Wells dentist, celebrated their 31st anniversary June 6.

Hagen is a member of the Augsburg College Athletic Hall of Fame and, in 1999, her family was the United States Tennis Association’s Family of the Year.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells, and one hour prior to the services, set for 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.