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.
Thomas Dahlberg
Football
Inducted: 1994
A bruising fullback with the ability to cut back across the grain at the line of scrimmage, Tom Dahlberg is the most prolific runner in Gustie football history having compiled 3,315 yards on 771 carries. The consummate power runner, Dahlberg won the MIAC rushing title in 1970 with 875 yards and helped the Gusties win back-to-back MIAC championships in 1971 and 1972.
In 1972 Tom carried the ball 35 times for 28 yards and two touchdowns as Gustavus beat Hamline 20-7 to clinch the MIAC title. Dahlberg's 238 yard effort was the school's single game rushing mark until 1979 when current Gustie football coach Jay Schoenebeck '80 rushed for 339 yards against Macalester.
Tom was named to the all-conference squad three times. He was also selected All-District twice and finished his career by being named Little All-America in 1973. Dahlberg was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1973 and later had a tryout with the Minnesota Vikings; however, he did not end up playing professional football.
After graduating with a degree in math education, Dahlberg was hired as a math teacher and assistant football coach in Hastings, Minnesota, where he has stayed for more than 22 years. As the football team's defensive coordinator, Tom helped guide Hastings to three consecutive St. Paul Suburban Conference titles.