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.
Robert Hansen
Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, and Swimming & Diving
Inducted: 1982
A member of the National Athletic Honor Society and captain of the undefeated '37 football team, Robert G. Hansen '42 lettered in football, swimming, hockey, and gymnastics at Gustavus. He was an All-Conference center on the '40 championship football team, served as co-captain of the '41 team, and started every game at center from 1939-41, He was captain of the '41 swimming team, won five individual state titles in freestyle events from 1939-41, and was state champion in the 200 freestyle all 3 years. He lettered in gymnastics 1940-42, and was starting left wing on the '42 hockey team.
Bob assisted Hollingsworth in football and taught phy. ed. at Gustavus the fall of '42 before entering the Army for 3 years that December. He served for 21 months in the European Theater as an interpreter in German. Following his discharge he was teacher and coach in Madison, Minn., until '60 and coached football, track & gymnastics and served as athletic director.
He became very involved in veterans affairs, served as post and district commander of the American Legion and in 1958 was elected State Commander. He was appointed Minn. Commissioner of Veterans Affairs by Gov. Elmer L. Anderson and served in that capacity from 1961-64. He returned to Madison in '64 as director of guidance and held that position until '69 when he was appointed City Manager in Madison, an occupation he held until his retirement in 1981.
His service to his community has included numerous memberships, chairmanships and presidencies, and he received outstanding honors from his community and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Bob and his wife Joyce (Benson) '44 have a daughter Carol and son Mark and live on Pickerel Lake near Fergus Falls.