Sports Spotlight: Kalem Haney

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Like a lot of Canadian kids, Lethbridge, Alberta’s Kalem Haney grew up playing hockey, but he played baseball as well. When the time came, he decided to pursue baseball, which led him to UMary.

“I actually did play hockey growing up, but when I was in ninth grade I decided to pursue baseball and I ended up at Vauxhall Baseball Academy, which is an academy in Alberta, Canada. Ever since then, my development skyrocketed, and that’s how I ended up here,” said Kalem Haney, a UMary sophomore.

“The Coach down there, or up there I should say, was really high on Kalem, and he’s been awesome. He went through a red-shirt developmental year and came out ready to play college baseball and has only gotten better since,” said Tanner Spencer, UMary baseball head coach.

“After I quit hockey, it was hard to make the adjustment to only playing one sport. But I’ve really enjoyed it so far,” said Haney.

Adjustments can be difficult, especially when you’re going to a school in a different country.

“It was an adjustment. I’m from a relatively small town in Alberta, so it was like, Vauxhall really helped me get seen in the baseball community and help me see, college coaches reach out, and it’s helped me improve as a baseball player moving down here. The competition is just better down here in the United States. It’s cool just driving through. Before this, I’ve never been to Minnesota before coming to UMary, or South Dakota or even North Dakota. It was really cool just driving and seeing different places,” said Haney.

Haney’s time at UMary has been good to him. His bat is a staple at the top of the Marauders lineup and his glove is a major plus for the infield.

“Having Kalem at the top of our lineup, he’s a great leader for us there. He always comes out and sets the tone for a series or a game on any given day. It’s been really fun watching him develop into a better player,” said Daniel Martin, a UMary senior.

“He put together a decent offensive season last year but he didn’t defend at a high level, and this year he’s really been defending, it’s been a really round game,” said Spencer.

Haney is the current Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference’s player of the week, but he’s got other goals in mind.

“I want to win a conference championship. It’s the most ideal goal. And then after that, I’d like to go on to win a regional, a super regional, and then make the World Series,” said Haney.

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