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.
Gary Hansen
Hockey
Inducted: 1996
The most prolific scorer in Gustavus men's hockey history, Gary Hansen amassed 121 goals and 85 assists for 206 points in 102 games from 1972 until 1976. A three-time all-conference and two-time All-America selection, Hansen's 121 career goals ranks 14th on the Division III All-Time goal scoring list, and his 206 career points ranks 28th on that same list.
During Hansen's career, the Gusties won three conference titles ('73, '75, & '76) and made four national tournament appearances, finishing second ('75), third ('74 & '76), and fourth ('73). The Gusties compiled a record of 84-19-0 during Hansen's time at Gustavus.
His ability to score goals was legendary and he holds two school records that may never be broken, most goals in a game with seven versus Macalester in '75 and quickest hat trick as he tallied three goals in :22 seconds versus Hamline in '74. He also tallied three goals in 1:30 seconds of running time versus St. John's in '74 (the clock was not stopped between goals and during face-offs since the Gusties had a 10-goal lead).
Hansen graduated cum laude with majors in accounting and business and went on to receive his law degree from William Mitchell College in St. Paul. An investment banker, he began his career with Cargill and then moved to First Bank. From there, he ended up with Dain Bosworth, Inc. Gary and his wife, Laurie (Larson, '81), had three children, Erik, Kjersti and Bjorn.