2019 Grand Finale & Golf Event

  • 25th Anniversary Grand Finale Hanson Scholarhip Golf & Party

    Benefiting the Hanson Scholarhip Fund
    25th Annual Golf Tournament and Celebration Program
    Monday, July 29, 2019 at
    Brackett's Crossing Country Club

    Lakeville, MN

Register Now!

Not a Golfer? We are planning a special program in the evening, so you can still sign up for the "Dinner Only" option to attend.

Sponsorship Information: here




Coach Hanson Passes

Richard (Dick) Allan Hanson born July 11, 1934 in Grand Forks, ND to Elmer and Wanda Hanson passed away on January 26th 2016 at Little Hospice in Edina MN after a prolonged and courageous fight with Parkinson's Disease. Dick Hanson was a 1952 graduate of Grand Forks Central High School where he lettered in basketball and golf. After graduation he went to the University of North Dakota and earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics education in 1956. He continued at UND and earned his master's degree in 1960. On August 21, 1954 Dick married Phyllis Myers also from Grand Forks.

Dick's first teaching job was at St. Mary's School in Grand Forks, North Dakota, from 1952 through 1956. He taught math, coached football and basketball. He next taught at St. James High School in Grand Forks where he was an assistant football and basketball coach, as well as the head golf coach. In 1960, Dick arrived at Burnsville High School in Burnsville, Minnesota. He taught math from 1960-1992. He presented at many local, state, and national conferences on mathematics and taught graduate courses at the University of Minnesota and St. Thomas University. He insisted his classes included the spectrum of student's math abilities including developing curriculum for advanced math students so they could receive college credit. Dick was an assistant football coach from 1961-1968. In 1969, he became the head football coach at Burnsville, a position he held until 1993, where he compiled a 205-58-2 career record. He captured eleven conference titles, eleven section titles, and five state championships. Dick won numerous awards: 1968 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, 1969 National Teacher of the Year Runner-up, 1970 University of North Dakota Sioux Award, 1984 Presidential Award for Mathematics Teaching, 1990 UND's Tom Clifford Award Hall of Fame, 1993 Grand Forks Central Hall of Fame, 1993 Education Minnesota's Distinguished Educator Award, 2006 Burnsville Hall of Fame, 2012 Minnesota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame Award, 2015 John Gagliardi Legacy Award, and in 2006 the Burnsville High School football field was named "Dick Hanson Field."

Dick volunteered his time with hospice, homeless shelters and brought his sheet music into senior living to play the piano. Dick and Phyllis enjoyed summers with family, grandchildren (cousins week), and friends at their place on Whitefish Lake. They also enjoyed traveling with family and friends to the Dominican Republic, Greece, the Holy Land, Switzerland, and Italy. He loved his role as father, grandpa, great grandpa; cherished his family; was comforted by friends; and continued teaching and coaching until his final days.

Dick is survived by three children - Marty (Cheryl) Hanson of Eau Claire, WI; Stephen (Katherine) Hanson of Eden Prairie; and Karen (John) Tomes of Eagan. One brother, Robert Hanson of Montreal. Seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren mourn his loss, along with his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, mother, and father. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation, Fairview Hospice, or the Hanson Scholarship Fund.

Dick Hanson Memorial
The Hanson Scholarship Fund
2800 Cliff Road East Suite 200
Burnsville, MN 55337



Host Course: Brackett's Crossing

Check out the course by clicking on the logo above.



Mission Statement

It takes a special person to be a teacher, but it takes a truly passionate individual to be a great one. Great teachers are people who continually strive to make a difference with every student that walk into their lives through dedicated time spent and mentoring. Our organization's goal is to take a unique approach in making a difference in our education system by looking to help talented students and teachers excel by providing scholarships to outstanding individuals that are looking to pursue or further their education in a teaching degree.

The Hanson Scholarship Fund was started in honor of -Dick Hanson, a former Burnsville High School Math Teacher, Football Coach and a perfect example of a "Great Teacher". This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hanson Scholarship Fund golf tournament; an event held to raise money for providing scholarships to 3 outstanding teachers and 8 dedicated students from 6 metro- area schools looking to pursue a career in education.



Meet the Teacher/Coach




24th Annual Golf Tournament

The committee thanks everyone who participated and helped with the 2018 Golf Event held at Brackett's Crossing on July 30th, 2018.