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.
Ed Haapaniemi
Swimming & Diving
Inducted: 1978
Edmond M. Haapaniemi '37 was Virginia's gift to things aquatic at Gustavus. As a prep star at Virginia, Haapaniemi was high point man in the state meet. He held championships in the 40 yard free style, 100 yard free style, and swam on the state championship relay team.
At Gustavus, he continued his habit of winning titles and breaking records. He held records in the 100 yard breast stroke, 100 yard free style and the 40 yard free style. He unofficially bested the world's breast stroke record with a mark of 1:02.9. He held numerous meet and tank records. He entered the tryouts for the Olympic swim team at Providence, R.I. and finished fourth in the 50 yard free style at the National Intercollegiate Meet at Yale. In addition, he has been employed by Red Cross in the water safety area in East Lansing, Michigan, and in Houston, Texas.