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.
Wallace Hanson
Swimming & Diving
Inducted: 1986
The sport of swimming came into its own during the four years that Wally Hanson was at Gustavus. His freshman year there was no organized MIAC meet, but the Gustavus team managed a 3-1 record in dual meets. The following two years, Hanson garnered a first place in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events, and each time, Gustavus brought home a third place conference finish. During Hanson's senior season, and second year as a team captain, Gustavus emerged as the conference meet co-champion with a dual meet record of 10-3. Personally, Hanson finished first in both the 50-yard freestyle and 150 yard backstroke events.
A business administration major, Hanson received his B.A. in 1949. He moved about the country as an employee and later-executive of the Sun Oil Company, finally settling in Dallas, Texas in 1971. Wallace Hanson died in August, 1982. His wife, Margaret, also Gustavus '49, and children Sandra, David and Todd, survive him.