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Milwaukee Hamilton's Baker Works With Kicking Legend
Article from: Wisconsin Sports Network
Article date: October 9, 2008
Article by: Marlin Lee
Milwaukee Hamilton kicker Jason Baker (5-11, 190), ranked as the No. 36 overall prospect and No. 2 specialist in the class of 2009, had the opportunity to work with one of the all-time great names in kicking and punting Thursday afternoon.
Coach Gary Zauner called my dad last night and he is going to be in town this Thursday, Friday and Saturday and has chosen to come work with me at school this Thursday and also Saturday, Baker told WisFootball.net on Tuesday.
A former Special Teams Coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings (1994-2001), Baltimore Ravens ('02-'05) and Arizona Cardinals ('06), Zauner has worked as a kicking consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants.
Zauner also has the distinction of being the nation's first full-time special teams coach in NCAA history, making stops at BYU (1979-'80), San Diego State ('81-'85), New Mexico ('87-'88), and Long Beach State ('90-'91).
It also just so happens that Coach Zauner is a Milwaukee Hamilton High School graduate, class of 1968.
Coach (Zauner) has taught several of today's professional kickers and it is such an honor for me to even have him offer to take a look at and work with me. It also is awesome for the school, the football team and Coach (Jeff) Wallack and his staff who have worked very hard to bring our program back to respectability to have Coach (Zauner), who is an alumni of Hamilton, to want to give back to the school and the football program, Baker explained.
In addition to the news of his work with Coach Zauner, Baker also updated his current recruiting status, saying weekly mail had come from Wisconsin, North Dakota State, Eastern Illinois, Minnesota-Moorhead and Nebraska-Omaha.
A first-team all-conference selection as a junior, Baker completed 14 extra points and three field goals last season.
This year he has made 12 extra points and field goals from 34 and 44-yards respectively.