ROGERS — Aaron Hawley is back where he started his college career, but the road to his senior year at Drake University has been a bumpy one.
After completing his third season at Drake back in 2012, Hawley went in for his usual postseason interview with then Bulldogs coach Mark Phelps. Hawley had averaged seven points and three rebounds after playing in all 33 games his junior season and had played in 97 games in three seasons in Des Moines, Iowa.
The former Rogers High basketball standout left the meeting without a uniform or a scholarship.
“We had the usual postseason, individual meetings with the coaches,” Hawley said. “From that, I decided that it wasn’t the best fit and it was time for me to move on. At the time, I was burned out, and I wanted time to get my feet under myself. I didn’t have much confidence.
“It sucked in a way.”
But Hawley didn’t want to leave Drake, and he decided to stay and finish his degree. With the time off, he realized he still had a passion for basketball. Hawley continued to stay in shape his fourth year and eventually decided to go to Arkansas Tech for his final year of eligibility after earning his degree at Drake.
“I was always working out, and I would go to the gym and shoot shots,” he said. “I realized I still had a love for the game and I still wanted to play. Playing ball your whole life, then when it drops, it is weird. It was tough not to play basketball.”
Going to watch his former teammates was even tougher.
“I went to a couple of games, and that was weird,” Hawley said. “It was a strange feeling being on the other side of the bench. I only made it to a couple of them.”
A chance meeting changed everything for Hawley.
Phelps was let go as the Bulldogs coach after last season, and Jeff Rutter joined the staff of new head coach Ray Giacoletti. Rutter was an assistant at Iowa State before moving to Drake and had seen Hawley play when Iowa State played the Bulldogs.
“When I walked through the gym, he was shooting alone,” Rutter said. “I walked over by him, and I thought it was Aaron. I said, ‘You are Aaron Hawley.’ He said ‘Yes.’ We talked about his situation, and I asked him to come in the next day and we would visit more about it.”
Hawley was prepared to lobby hard for a spot on the team, but no lobbying was needed.
“I talked with Coach Giacoletti, and we had already made our mind up before the meeting that we wanted Aaron to be part of the team,” Rutter said.
Hawley quickly jumped at the offer.
“I didn’t want to assume it was a walk-on situation, and I didn’t want to approach it like that,” he said. “I knew I was capable of earning a scholarship. I didn’t know what spots they had available.”
The reunion has been a good one. Hawley has played in all 15 games and has nine starts for the 10-5 Bulldogs. He is averaging 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds a game while having just three turnovers in 338 minutes of playing time.
“We needed a wing player, and it has been great for both parties,” Rutter said. “Aaron has brought maturity, leadership and experience to our group.”
Hawley said he went into the season with a chip on his shoulder.
“I was really determined, and I worked extra hard,” Hawley said. “I had to prove myself the second go-around. I feel blessed to be out there and have this second opportunity. It’s my last go around, I want to leave it all out on the floor.”
Hawley said he had no first game nerves despite a little added pressure.
“Not really, to be honest. I really felt more free,” Hawley said. “It just felt so good to be out there. It was fun to be back out there.”