Monona Grove Youth Football has named the new football field at Ahuska Park Haukereid Field in honor of long-time Monona resident and Monona Pee Wee football organizer Morrie Haukereid.
Morris W. Haukereid, more commonly known as Morrie was born in Madison, WI. He grew up near Lake Waubesa and attended school in Oregon and graduated from High School in June 1961. During Morrie's high school years he was very active in school athletics. Morrie was a great player and teammate during those years participating on the football, basketball and baseball teams. He earned many awards and honors from his peers in recognition of his leadership, skill and sportsmanship. Upon graduation from Oregon High School, Morrie enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Madison and in addition to his studies, played on the UW football team. Although his stay at the University was only one year, he was recognized as Co-MVP of the 1961 UW Madison Freshman Football Game. He continued his higher education during the years of 1963-1965 attending Madison Business College and earning his Accounting Degree.
But being the over achiever that he is, Morrie was busy with a few other things during the years of 1963-1965. His passion for the game of football continued. In 1963 he played semi-professional football on the Sheboygan Redwings and in 1964 he joined the Madison Mustangs playing for eight years and earning All-League honors in five of those years. On August 28, 1965 Morrie married the love of his life, Mary k. Schulze. Soon after on September 4, 1966 Morrie and Mary welcomed their son affectionately known as "TD".
In 1968, Morrie moved his young family to the nearby Village of Monona and has been one of its most active and long term residents since. It did not take long for Morrie to get involved in community activities. In 1969, Morrie had already made friends with other Monona residents. Giving his love of football, Morrie along with his new friends, was instrumental in organizeing and starting Monona Pee Wee Football. This program serves the children of Monona residents in the 5th and 6th grade. In that same year, Morrie assumed the position of Director of Monona Pee Wee Football and 42 years later continues to hold that same position. Note that Morrie's own son TD was not yet 3 years old in 1969. In 1969, Morrie understood (understands) the value of athletic competition and the impact the game of football can have in developing the character of boys and girls. He recognized (recognizes) the value that an organized football program can have to a community and how it can bring its residents together.
Having began his professional career in 1965 as an accountant at International Harvester; in 1970 Morrie started a 26 year career at National Guardian Life Insurance Comapny as an auditor and working with retirement plans. In 1999 Morrie continued working in the area of retirement planning for small business and individuals and continues this work today.
Having started the Pee Wee program in 1969, Morrie was busy in his community in several other ways. From 1969 until 1982, in addition to acting as Director of Monona Pee Wee Football, Morrie also coached the Monona Pee Wee Mustangs team. But football was not his only passion. During this time Morrie was the basketball coach for Immaculate Heart of Mary Grade school.
Over the years, Morrie's community involvement has not gone unnoticed. In 1976, Morrie Haukereid was voted "Outstanding Young Man of Monona". In 1997 Morrie was given the honor to be the Grand Marshall of the Monona Memorial Day Parade. In 2009 on a state level, Morrie was the recipient of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors' Association "Distinguished Service to High School Athletics" Award.
And over those years, Morrie has been involved in his community in several other ways. Morrie was the Cub Scout Pack Leader for Immaculate Heart of Mary. Morrie has served as the Recreation Director of Monona adult basketball; he served as Treasurer for the Monona Softball Association and served as a member of the Monona Park Board. Morrie has shown his unwavering support of Monona Grove High School athletics by being a long time booster for basketball and football. In addition to his support of athletics amoung our youth and community, Morrie is also involved with the commerce of Monona. Over these same years, Morrie has been involved with the Monona Business Men's Association and served as a member of the board.
No nobler a cause can be imagined over the course of the past 42 years. Over these years more than 5,000 5th and 6th grade Monona and Cottage Grove kids have been touched by the Pee Wee Football program. Many prominent Monona residents and businesses have joined Morrie over the years as supporters of the Pee Wee Football program as sponsors, coaches, referees, concession stand help, press box crew and the chain gang. But two things are still the same today as it was back in 1968 when it all began: Morris W. Haukereid is the Director of Pee Wee Football, and it costs $5.00 for your child to participate.