Football 10/6/2020 12:30:00 PM Mike Kirk

Where Are They Now: A.J. Haglund

A.J. Haglund is one of the most prolific place-kickers in Central Oklahoma's long football history. The El Reno High School product handled placement duties for the Bronchos four straight years from 2001-04 and was known for both his accuracy and strong leg.

Haglund knocked through 15 field goals – including a 50-yarder, the second-longest in school history -- and 59 extra points his first two years before really taking off in becoming a key offensive weapon for UCO.

He made 10-of-14 field goals and 38-of-41 PATs as a junior in scoring 68 points to earn first-team All-Lone Star Conference North Division and All-West Region honors in helping Central advance to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

A.J. was even better as a senior in 2004, connecting on 15-of-18 field goals and 42-of-44 extra points to score 87 points. He was again a first-team All-LSC and All-West Region selection while also earning All-America recognition.

Haglund made a school-record five field goals in a win over Tarleton State during his final season and ended his career as UCO's all-time leader in field goals (40) and PATs (139), records that last until 2016. He scored 259 points, which currently ranks fifth on the school's career list and is second-best among kickers, and was later named to Central's All-Century team.

A.J. kicked professionally for three years after graduating UCO, spending one season with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawz of areanafootball2 and two years with the Arena Football League's San Jose SaberCats.

He was af2 Kicker of the Year in 2006, was a second-team All-AFL pick in 2007 after helping San Jose to the AFL championship and had a league-best 179 kick points in 2008 in earning AFL Kicker of the Year accolades.

In this week's installment of our look back at some of Central's past athletic greats, here's a brief conversation with A.J. Haglund.

Degree(s) earned at UCO: General Studies with a minor in Business

How did UCO prepare you for success: UCO prepared me for my success with the relationships I formed throughout my time at UCO and adversity that I faced during my career. Life is how you handle tough situations and UCO really helped me prepare for that. During my sophomore year I didn't have a very good year, probably one of the worst years a kicker has ever had at UCO. And Coach Langston and Coach Bailey could have gone in a different direction, but they had faith in me and kept me around.

Favorite memory at Central: Kicking five field goals against Tarleton State my senior year, which is still a record that holds up to date.

Best thing about going to UCO: Definitely the relationships I formed during that time. Also the alumni that played other sports that I connect with on a daily basis. When I go to an event and talk to people I see baseball players, football players, wrestlers, just guys that had that bond of playing at UCO at one time or another and you have that connection you just can't find anywhere else.

Who were your favorite professors, coaches, etc: I would have to say coach Chuck Langston, who gave me a second chance and believed in me to get the job done. He was always good to me and I still talk to him to this day.

If you could give advice to a current student-athlete at UCO, what would it be: Use your platform to promote good and develop strong relationships within the community and on Campus. Earn your degree. You never know who you will meet that will give you the opportunity of a lifetime.

Where do you currently live: El Reno, Okla.

Family: Wife, Heather, and two boys, Brecken (7) and Brooks (3). Brecken is one of the top-ranked junior golfers in his age group in the world.

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