Born August 17, 1942 in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was brought up by a single mother during World War II. Soccer became a significant influence in building his character and social skills. At age 8 Gunnar joined the junior program of the Danish A-League team B93. He played on his school team which reached the finals in Copenhagen’s yearly championship competition. He was captain of the team and played forward, center, and defense positions as well as goalie when required. At 19 years of age he was scheduled to join the A-League team B93, but immigrated to the United States instead. He came to Utah in 1961 with his mother after she married a teenage sweetheart and enrolled in the University of Utah. He started playing for the Vikings S.C. but moved to S.C. Alemannia in 1962 where he played with many other players who are now part of the Utah Soccer Hall of Fame. S.C. Alemannia was the best team in the 1960’s and during his stay from 1961-64, 66, 68 they won the State championships and he was part of the nine year run, 1959-1967, of S.C. Alemannia’s dominance of the Daynes Challenge Cup. In 1965 Gunnar traveled to Germany with the club for exhibition matches and also represented Utah in the Intermountain Championships. In 1972 he was awarded the Association’s Most Valuable Player award. After he quit playing soccer, and not having kids of his own, he embraced the sport of Triathlons. Gunnar focused on Ironman competitions (2.4 Mi. Swim, 112 Mi. Bike, 26.2 Mi. Run) and completed 6 Ironman races and qualified to compete in the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii twice. In 1992 he placed 8th in the world in his age group (50-55). Gunnar also became a NSCA Certified Strength and Condition Specialist (CSCS) in 1999 and holds informal training camps in Hawaii where he has lived since 2006. He has a profound gratitude for his soccer friends and the impact the sport of Soccer had in shaping his character. To Gunnar, his sports careers has been a major foundation for living a healthy and balanced life and is honored to be inducted in the Utah Soccer Hall of Fame.
Gunnar Hansen 2008 Hall Of FameBorn August 17, 1942 in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was brought up by a single mother during World War II. Soccer became a significant influence in building his character and social skills. At age 8 Gunnar joined the junior program of the Danish A-League team B93. He played on his school team which reached the finals in Copenhagen’s yearly championship competition. He was captain of the team and played forward, center, and defense positions as well as goalie when required. At 19 years of age he was scheduled to join the A-League team B93, but immigrated to the United States instead. He came to Utah in 1961 with his mother after she married a teenage sweetheart and enrolled in the University of Utah. He started playing for the Vikings S.C. but moved to S.C. Alemannia in 1962 where he played with many other players who are now part of the Utah Soccer Hall of Fame. S.C. Alemannia was the best team in the 1960’s and during his stay from 1961-64, 66, 68 they won the State championships and he was part of the nine year run, 1959-1967, of S.C. Alemannia’s dominance of the Daynes Challenge Cup. In 1965 Gunnar traveled to Germany with the club for exhibition matches and also represented Utah in the Intermountain Championships. In 1972 he was awarded the Association’s Most Valuable Player award. After he quit playing soccer, and not having kids of his own, he embraced the sport of Triathlons. Gunnar focused on Ironman competitions (2.4 Mi. Swim, 112 Mi. Bike, 26.2 Mi. Run) and completed 6 Ironman races and qualified to compete in the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii twice. In 1992 he placed 8th in the world in his age group (50-55). Gunnar also became a NSCA Certified Strength and Condition Specialist (CSCS) in 1999 and holds informal training camps in Hawaii where he has lived since 2006. He has a profound gratitude for his soccer friends and the impact the sport of Soccer had in shaping his character. To Gunnar, his sports careers has been a major foundation for living a healthy and balanced life and is honored to be inducted in the Utah Soccer Hall of Fame.
2008 Hall Of FameGunnar Hansen