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.
David Hauck
Swimming & Diving
Inducted: 1987
During an era of growth and success in the Gustavus swimming program, Madison, Minnesota, native Dave Hauck played an important role. Dave joined the Gusties in his freshman year of 1950. Under the tutelage of Coach Vic Gustafson, Dave emerged as one of the team's leading swimmers, particularly in sprint events. In 1951, he led the team to a second-place finish in the MIAC meet by capturing the 60- and 100-yard freestyle events.
Dave's 50- and 100-yard freestyle victories in the 1952 MIAC meet helped propel the Gusties to the conference title. The Gusties fell to second behind perennial power St. Thomas in the 1953 MIAC competition, but Dave again triumphed in the 50-yard freestyle and as a member of the 400-yard relay team, setting MIAC records in both events. His efforts, with those of his coaches and teammates. helped build the Gusties into a swimming team that would win six out of the next seven conference championships. Dave's success in athletics did not end with his 1953 graduation, however.
After obtaining a masters' degree from Bemidji State University, he joined the physical education faculty at St. Olaf College. where he has served as football, softball and swimming coach. Dave this year was named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in swimming, at the same time his son Robert won Swimmer of the Year honors. He and his wife Mary live in Northfield, Minnesota, where they have raised their children Tad, Elizabeth and Robert.