July 31, 2008

LOGAN, Utah -

by Amy Kite, USU Student

Sitting in the corner office of a very successful financial planning company, Brian Hunsaker will tell you his greatest achievement in life is his family. He may not have always known where he was going in life, but always knew where his roots were.

He comes from a long line of Hunsaker Aggies who have left their mark, both academic and athletic, on Utah State University. His grandfather Elmer "Bear" Ward, his father Fred, mother Sharon, and his brother and sister have carried this family through time and have left an Aggie legacy to be proud of.

Elmer H. `Bear' Ward left more than a jersey hanging in honor of his legendary football days at Utah State. He also left a three-generation legacy that continues to grow. Bear was the first All-American at Utah State and in the state of Utah, leading the Aggie football team through four great seasons in the 1930s. After graduating with full honors and as a commissioned officer in the Army ROTC, this farm boy from Box Elder County was later drafted by the Detroit Lions and, in 1935, won a world championship. A knee injury took him out of the game and he decided to go back to the Army just in time for WWII.

After serving as a colonel in the army, Bear was the top civilian and head of the Defense Depot in Ogden. He married his high school sweetheart, Floetta Nelson, and had two children, Sharon and Stephen, who both followed dad's footsteps and graduated from USU. Floetta died of cancer at a young age and `Bear' later married Venette Warnick. Elmer `Bear' Ward retired in the early '70s to his cherry farm in Willard and found himself taking his grandkids fishing on his houseboat and going hunting with his son. Of course, he could always find time to get to an Aggie football game.

Bear's daughter Sharon came to Utah State in the '60s to pursue her degree in elementary education with a minor in political science. She married her long-time high school friend, Fred Hunsaker in the spring of '63. After raising her three children she received her master's in education and was asked to come back to USU to be on staff as an advisor to elementary education student teachers.

"I have always been involved in Utah State ever since I can remember," Sharon said. "As a child we would drive over the mountain to all of the football games. Homecoming was a fun time for our family. Dad was still involved for many years with the athletics department."

Sharon's husband, Fred Hunsaker, is currently representing Cache and Rich counties in the Utah State Legislature and is the Acting Vice President of Administrative Services for Utah State.

Fred retired after 30 years of banking, and USU President Stan Cazier hired him to be Utah State University's Business Administrator where he served for 12 years. Three years ago he retired again, and President Kermit Hall needed a temporary athletic director. Fred was the man until former Athletic Director Randy Spetman took his place.

"Fred keeps trying to retire, but we can't seem to let him and Sharon have their peace and quiet," USU President Stan Albrecht said. "Fred is an institution at Utah State, someone with a comprehensive knowledge of this university and - as important - a profound commitment to this university that is immeasurable. He is always looking out for our students and our faculty, and there isn't anyone who doesn't like him or respect the hard work he does to make this institution a better place."

Fred Hunsaker was the first in his family to attend college and chose Utah State as his foundation. He was raised on a farm in Box Elder County helping to support his mother and two siblings. He didn't have time to play sports but knew the value of hard work an education.

"My dad is the greatest example of a person to pattern your life after," Brian Hunsaker said. "He is a hard worker and is very dedicated to everything he does. He can outwork me and my brother any day."

Fred and Sharon raised their family in Logan, and when their two sons and daughter were old enough they were on their way to Utah State. All three graduated from what is now the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.

Susan, their only daughter, graduated in marketing and has done work for Mrs. Field's Cookies and Jamba Juice. After graduating she took a job as a temporary worker at Mrs. Field's cookies in Park City while the secretary was out on maternity leave. They liked her so much they hired her in their marketing department.

"The moral of the story is, you never know where great things will come from," Sharon said. "You have to be willing to do small things that you might not think matter."

After working in cookies and juice, Susan landed her dream job, becoming a mother of three little girls.

Continuing the Hunsaker legacy, Fred and Sharon's boys, Brian and Jeff played football together in the late 1980's under the shadow of their grandfather Bear's jersey. The brothers started on the defensive line all three years and graduated with degrees in finance. Brian and Jeff are "True Aggies" and both will tell you the greatest thing they did while at Utah State was to meet their wives. Brian was team captain and all-conference his junior and senior year. Jeff was team captain and an all-conference player his senior year. He was chosen as Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA) and Big West male scholar athlete for two consecutive years.

Jeff Hunsaker is currently the President and chief operating officer of SCO Operations, the leading provider of UNIX and mobile based solutions. He resides in Orem, Utah, with his wife Angie and their five children.

"Jeff and Brian are only 16 months apart and were always the best of friends," their mother Sharon said. "They have always played together, from little league learning the ropes, to high school where they both played for Logan High. We traveled coast to coast with the Aggies, watching our sons play together."

"Living in Logan most of my life, Utah State makes Logan a great place to grow up." Brian said.

Brian found his direction after graduation and landed a job as a broker for an investment company. In 1999 he and a friend started a financial planning company that manages small businesses and individual retirement plans. His lifelong goal was to play in the NFL, just like his grandpa and in 1989 he signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Dad was the biggest influence for me in deciding where to go to school and what I should do in my life," Brian said. "He has always given me great counsel."

While pursing an education in finance at Utah State University just like his dad, and continuing his grandpa's tradition of excellence in sports with his brother, Brian Hunsaker has continued a legacy for his four children. His oldest son is in high school, a great student and athlete just like his dad. He hopes his children will continue the family legacy at Utah State and in their families to come.