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Stan The Man's son focused on Baylor baseball

Posted: Sep 7th 2006 By: mikeiles

While most of us are fascinated by "Hogan Knows Best," the popular reality show featuring Hulk Hogan and his family hits closer to home for one Baylor student.

Shaver Hansen plays infield for the Baylor baseball team. A freshman from Fruita, CO, he said he came to Baylor for the baseball team, coaching staff and academics.

He might seem like an ordinary student-athlete, but growing up, Shaver said he experienced extraordinary things.

Shaver's father is Stan Hansen, a professional wrestler known as Stan "The Lariat" Hansen or "Stan the Man." His father has wrestled with World Wrestling Federation (WWF) icons including Hulk Hogan, Sting, Andre the Giant and Randy Savage, in arenas such as Madison Square Garden and the Tokyo Dome.

Shaver said he wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

"It's really good," Stan said. "You don't really understand the magnitude until you go to Japan and see the fans at his retirement."

Stan recalls what it was like to raise children in his profession.

"I was big in Japan, so the kids didn't have a chance to see me on television," Stan Hansen said. "It wasn't like other wrestlers. Their kids could watch them on TV. It was like I was gone on business."

Stan began wrestling in the United States and later wrestled in Japan until his retirement in 2001 after almost 30 years in the business.

In the ring he is known for his cowboy getup and signature moves -- the Western Lariat and the Brazos Valley Backbreaker.

Grounders and line drives are Shaver's focus. He said baseball is his passion. Shaver credits much of his success to his father's constant support over the years.

"My dad was an athlete and wanted his kids to play sports, but he didn't tell us what sport to play," Shaver said. "He coached me growing up. He's a really good supporter and coach."

Stan said he's a proud father. He enjoys watching his son compete, and he said he's thrilled Shaver was able to play baseball in college.

"I was happy to help Shaver fall in love with his dreams and go to a great program like Baylor," Stan said.

In Japan, Stan is huge, Shaver said.

Shaver remembers playing baseball in Japan last summer with his dad by his side.

"Tens of thousands of people came out to see my dad," Shaver said.

Shaver could be the only student on campus that can shell out a story about "Macho Man" Randy Savage, another professional wrestler.

"Funny story about Randy," Shaver said. "He was a baseball catcher and was left-handed. He got hurt and trained himself to be right-handed."

He can also talk firsthand about a professional wrestling locker room.

"The guys are huge," Shaver said. "I mean they are big."

Shaver's experiences and connection with celebrity haven't gone to his head, said Shawn Tolleson, Shaver's teammate and roommate.

"He's a really fun guy to be around," Tolleson said. "You would never know that his dad was a professional wrestler. He's really down to earth."

Although his father taught him wrestling moves when he was younger, Shaver said he doesn't want to be a wrestler.

"I want to be a major league baseball player," Shaver said. "If that doesn't pan out, I'll look into a school for architecture. Baylor will give me a good education."

Shaver's dad supports this decision.

"I'm glad he fell in love with baseball," Stan said. "I was really happy that he gravitated toward baseball rather than wrestling."

Shaver's dad also shares his son's belief in the value of a quality education.

"We hoped Shaver would pursue athletics and baseball, but we're really happy he also pursued academics," Stan said.

Though he still travels to Japan for promotional work, Stan now enjoys a quiet life in Colorado. He teaches driver's education and works as a substitute teacher.

To the Japanese, Stan is a hero of the entertainment world. Fans shout "lariato" after he performs his finishing move. To Shaver, he's not Stan "The Lariat" Hansen, but a quiet, supporting, loving father.

"I'm really proud of him," Stan said. "I'm looking forward to watching Shaver pursue his dream."