Hedlund named MSU Athlete of the decade

[meangreenfaninno]

Happy Day!!WICHITA FALLS, Texas — North Texas head soccer coach John Hedlund on Thursday was awarded as the Midwestern State University Student-Athlete of the 1980s on Thursday at the school's 2022 Nexstar Sports Awards held at the Wharehouse event center in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The awards were given out in honor of MSU's centennial. 

Hedlund, who founded the UNT soccer program in 1995 and enters his 28th season as its head coach this year, was a Mustang men's soccer student-athlete from 1980-84 and graduated with a criminal justice degree. A two-time All-American, Hedlund guided his teams to the NAIA National Tournament three times, in the 1983 National Tournament Hedlund scored a record four goals in one game, earning Tournament Most Valuable Player. He scored 26 times and dished out 12 assists while wearing the maroon and gold. During his time in Wichita Falls, Hedlund also played for the U.S. National Team.

"Truly honored to receive this award tonight," Hedlund said "Some of my fondest memories throughout my career were wearing the Maroon and Gold!"

After his time at MSU, Hedlund embarked on a successful 12-year professional career, before coming to North Texas.

At UNT he has become the university's all-time winningest head coach by leading the Mean Green to 373 wins, 16 conference championships, seven NCAA Tournament appearances and zero losing seasons in his almost three decades in Denton.