PUXICO R-8 SCHOOL DISTRICT Karen “Susie” Hazel Puxico Hall of Fame Inductee Longtime Coach, Educator, and Mentor to Be Honored Posthumously at the 8th Annual Hall of Fame Celebration The Puxico R-8 School District is proud to announce Karen Sue “Susie” Hazel as a 2026 Puxico Hall of Fame inductee in the Athletic Category. A 1970 graduate of Puxico High School who returned to dedicate 28 years of service to her hometown school, Coach Hazel will be honored posthumously during the district’s 8th Annual Puxico Hall of Fame Celebration on Friday, December 11, 2026. For generations of Puxico athletes, she was simply “Coach Hazel.” Her competitive spirit, unmistakable voice from the sidelines, and unwavering belief in her players made her a memorable figure in Puxico athletics. But beyond the victories and championships, it was her dedication to young people and the relationships she built that defined her legacy. Following her graduation from Puxico High School in 1970, Hazel continued her education at Three Rivers Community College and Southeast Missouri State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education. She began her professional career at Bloomfield High School, teaching physical education and coaching volleyball, softball, and cheerleading for three years before returning to Puxico. During her 28 years with the Puxico R-8 School District, Coach Hazel served as the school librarian, junior high and high school volleyball coach, girls’ softball coach, and high school cheerleading sponsor. Her volleyball programs experienced significant success, including Class 2A district championships during the 1985–86, 1993-1994, and 2003–04 seasons, along with conference and tournament accomplishments. Yet Coach Hazel’s influence extended well beyond the scoreboard. She was fiercely competitive, expected maximum effort, and never hesitated to challenge her athletes to become better. Those who played for her remember a coach whose voice could carry across an entire gymnasium and whose determination was matched only by her commitment to the girls she coached. Her familiar words, “Be tough…believe in yourself,” became more than encouragement during a difficult practice or competitive match. They represented the confidence, resilience, and determination she worked to instill in every athlete. To Coach Hazel, her players were always “her girls.” She invested in their development as athletes and as young women, teaching lessons about hard work, perseverance, accountability, and believing in themselves. She shared her knowledge generously, offering volleyball camps and clinics and helping countless young athletes improve their skills, whether through a perfectly placed serve or an encouraging word. Her commitment to Puxico athletics was never limited to the volleyball court. Throughout her career, she maintained the boys’ basketball scorebook, a responsibility she continued for two years after her retirement in 2011. She also drove school buses to athletic contests when needed and remained a devoted supporter of Puxico sports long after her coaching career ended. Coach Hazel’s life was deeply connected to the school and community she loved. She served on the Wappapello Civic Center Board and participated in professional librarian and coaching associations. Her dedication to service reflected a willingness to contribute wherever she was needed. Away from school, Karen was known as a strong, independent, generous woman who loved her family and friends. She and her husband of 52 years, Bob, enjoyed spending time on Lake Wappapello, where boating, swimming, camping, and sharing time with family were among her greatest pleasures. Her love of athletics continued through her son, Shawn, and grandsons, Dylan and Logan, whose athletic pursuits she enthusiastically supported. Whether she was coaching from the sidelines, cheering from the stands, or welcoming family and friends to the lake, Karen brought the same energy, determination, and generosity that made her such a memorable part of the Puxico community. Karen Sue Hazel passed away on July 4, 2023, at the age of 70. Although her passing left a tremendous void among those who knew and loved her, her influence remains in the lives of the hundreds of students she coached, the colleagues who served alongside her, and the families who entrusted their children to her guidance. Coach Hazel’s legacy cannot be measured by championships alone. It lives in the confidence she built, the determination she inspired, the relationships she formed, and the generations of young women who learned to believe in themselves because she believed in them first. From a Puxico High School graduate to a respected coach, educator, mentor, and lifelong supporter of her hometown school, Karen Sue “Susie” Hazel exemplified the spirit of a Puxico Indian. The Puxico R-8 School District is honored to welcome Coach Hazel into the 2026 Puxico Hall of Fame, recognizing not only her accomplishments in athletics but also a lifetime of dedication to the school and community she loved. The Puxico R-8 School District invites our school community, former athletes, colleagues, family, and friends to join us in celebrating Coach Hazel’s remarkable legacy at the 8th Annual Puxico Hall of Fame Celebration on Friday, December 11, 2026. Additional details regarding the event and ticket purchasing will be announced soon. Once an Indian, Always an Indian.

Karen “Susie” Hazel Puxico Hall of Fame Inductee

Don McRoy

October 29, 2026

PUXICO R-8 SCHOOL DISTRICT

Karen “Susie” Hazel

Puxico Hall of Fame Inductee

Longtime Coach, Educator, and Mentor to Be Honored Posthumously at the 8th Annual Hall of Fame Celebration

The Puxico R-8 School District is proud to announce Karen Sue “Susie” Hazel as a 2026 Puxico Hall of Fame inductee in the Athletic Category.

A 1970 graduate of Puxico High School who returned to dedicate 28 years of service to her hometown school, Coach Hazel will be honored posthumously during the district’s 8th Annual Puxico Hall of Fame Celebration on Friday, December 11, 2026.

For generations of Puxico athletes, she was simply “Coach Hazel.” Her competitive spirit, unmistakable voice from the sidelines, and unwavering belief in her players made her a memorable figure in Puxico athletics. But beyond the victories and championships, it was her dedication to young people and the relationships she built that defined her legacy.

Following her graduation from Puxico High School in 1970, Hazel continued her education at Three Rivers Community College and Southeast Missouri State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education. She began her professional career at Bloomfield High School, teaching physical education and coaching volleyball, softball, and cheerleading for three years before returning to Puxico.

During her 28 years with the Puxico R-8 School District, Coach Hazel served as the school librarian, junior high and high school volleyball coach, girls’ softball coach, and high school cheerleading sponsor. Her volleyball programs experienced significant success, including Class 2A district championships during the 1985–86, 1993-1994, and 2003–04 seasons, along with conference and tournament accomplishments.

Yet Coach Hazel’s influence extended well beyond the scoreboard.

She was fiercely competitive, expected maximum effort, and never hesitated to challenge her athletes to become better. Those who played for her remember a coach whose voice could carry across an entire gymnasium and whose determination was matched only by her commitment to the girls she coached.

Her familiar words, “Be tough…believe in yourself,” became more than encouragement during a difficult practice or competitive match. They represented the confidence, resilience, and determination she worked to instill in every athlete.

To Coach Hazel, her players were always “her girls.” She invested in their development as athletes and as young women, teaching lessons about hard work, perseverance, accountability, and believing in themselves. She shared her knowledge generously, offering volleyball camps and clinics and helping countless young athletes improve their skills, whether through a perfectly placed serve or an encouraging word.

Her commitment to Puxico athletics was never limited to the volleyball court. Throughout her career, she maintained the boys’ basketball scorebook, a responsibility she continued for two years after her retirement in 2011. She also drove school buses to athletic contests when needed and remained a devoted supporter of Puxico sports long after her coaching career ended.

Coach Hazel’s life was deeply connected to the school and community she loved. She served on the Wappapello Civic Center Board and participated in professional librarian and coaching associations. Her dedication to service reflected a willingness to contribute wherever she was needed.

Away from school, Karen was known as a strong, independent, generous woman who loved her family and friends. She and her husband of 52 years, Bob, enjoyed spending time on Lake Wappapello, where boating, swimming, camping, and sharing time with family were among her greatest pleasures. Her love of athletics continued through her son, Shawn, and grandsons, Dylan and Logan, whose athletic pursuits she enthusiastically supported.

Whether she was coaching from the sidelines, cheering from the stands, or welcoming family and friends to the lake, Karen brought the same energy, determination, and generosity that made her such a memorable part of the Puxico community.

Karen Sue Hazel passed away on July 4, 2023, at the age of 70. Although her passing left a tremendous void among those who knew and loved her, her influence remains in the lives of the hundreds of students she coached, the colleagues who served alongside her, and the families who entrusted their children to her guidance.

Coach Hazel’s legacy cannot be measured by championships alone. It lives in the confidence she built, the determination she inspired, the relationships she formed, and the generations of young women who learned to believe in themselves because she believed in them first.

From a Puxico High School graduate to a respected coach, educator, mentor, and lifelong supporter of her hometown school, Karen Sue “Susie” Hazel exemplified the spirit of a Puxico Indian.

The Puxico R-8 School District is honored to welcome Coach Hazel into the 2026 Puxico Hall of Fame, recognizing not only her accomplishments in athletics but also a lifetime of dedication to the school and community she loved.

The Puxico R-8 School District invites our school community, former athletes, colleagues, family, and friends to join us in celebrating Coach Hazel’s remarkable legacy at the 8th Annual Puxico Hall of Fame Celebration on Friday, December 11, 2026. Additional details regarding the event and ticket purchasing will be announced soon.

Once an Indian, Always an Indian.