Hansen is a 1987 graduate of Aberdeen Central High School in Aberdeen, SD, and a 1994 graduate of Northern State University. Hansen's amateur career includes tours with Aberdeen Wendy's, Sioux Falls Silver Bullets, Beresford, Groton, and Brandon Valley. Hansen also received Class "A" State Championship titles in 1988 (Aberdeen Wendy') and 1995 (Sioux Falls Silver Bullets). Hansen joined the Red Sox in 2005 and was a member of the 2006 Class A State Champion Vermillion Red Sox. In 2012, Hanson will be playing his 8th Season with the Red Sox.