Athletic Hall of Fame
The Gustavus Adolphus College Hall of Fame was established in 1978 at which time 19 "Charter Members" were inducted either as coaches or as athletes. As of the fall of 2022, 348 individuals (321 athletes, 16 coaches and 11 benefactors) have been elected to the Hall of Fame.
The former Hall of Fame room on the second floor of the Lund Center was originally partially endowed by the families of both Dwight Holcombe's (the only father/son combination holding membership in the Hall). The hardwood plaque upon which the individual plates are permanently displayed, now in the Hall of Champions, was donated by the family of former football coach and Hall of Fame member Jocko Nelson, who passed away in 1978.
Carlton Anderson
Baseball and Football
Inducted: 1990
When one remembers the great Gustie tackles from the 1940s and 195Os, names like Cal Roberts, Vic Pederson, Gerry Cady, Chuck Hardt, Don Swanson, Larry Baker and Carlton Anderson come to mind. Known as "Ozzie" to his friends on campus, Anderson played football from 1952-55 under Coach Lloyd Hollingsworth. During that period, Gustavus tied for a pair of conference championships before winning the MIAC title outright in the 1954 and 1955 seasons. In his senior year Anderson was named to the all-MIAC squad and was an honorable mention pick to the Little All-America Team.
Not one to let his spring season go unused, Anderson was a four year letterwinner as a member of the Gustie baseball team. After his first teaching and coaching assignment in Springfield, MN, Anderson and his family moved to Park Rapids. His 1986 baseball team from that community was the runner-up in the Class A state baseball tournament.
The Anderson family members are all Gusties. Carlton's wife, Anita '59) was St. Lucia, while their three children, Laura ('86), Lynn, ('88) and Paul ('90) are Gustavus Choir alumni. Paul continued the family's athletic tradition as a three-year baseball letterman.